edition-dw-akademie-in-the-service-of-the-public-functions-and-transformation-of-media-in-developing-countries-pdf

Part III Nepal: Radio Sagarmatha, an Asian Community Radio Pioneermovement in Nepal and has transformed itself into a stationthat has a high quality of programming for which many notedjournalists work. Radio Sagarmatha is today even able to givetrainings to staffers from other community stations itself.In 2007 recommendations from an assessment of the communityradio sector highlighted the urgent need to come upwith a long-term vision for the sector and to include stakeholdersfrom various government departments (education,human resources, rural development, etc.) to colleges and universitiesin this process. 92 The aim should be “to build nationaland local capacities to ensure a dynamic and sustainable communityradio sector, one that makes appropriate contributionsto national development.” 93Through a specific strategic capacity development plan forthe community radio sector that is endorsed by all stakeholdersissues that needed to be addressed were identified as universityand college curricula, the role of different communityradio groups, national and regional training centers, distancelearning programs, internships, and government support forhuman resource development, among others. 94 In 1999 whenDW Akademie conducted an initial three-week consultancyworkshop including an assessment of the organizationalstructure of Radio Sagarmatha, it highlighted the challengesmany community radios that started their operations butalso established ones that have to deal with the high levelof fluctuation among their staff will face: “Only by involvingstaff can one build a team. Teambuilding however also impliessharing work load, sharing responsibility.” 95 As in someorganizations payment and contract schemes are not transparentthis adds to frustration and might bring down motivation.“Salaries, working time, actual performance, work load,job descriptions, and job perspectives for volunteers need tobe constantly reviewed.” 96Financing, Management and Newsroom StructuresThese days, Radio Sagarmatha states that only about 30% ofthe funds that are required to run the station come from differentNGOs including NEFEJ, the license holding NGO. The stationtherefore relies on local public service announcements –in short PSA - to generate income as most of the communityradio stations in general do. 97 Such kinds of PSA are in the caseof Radio Sagarmatha mostly related to issues dealing with “environment,sanitation, rule of law, gender relations, social justice,education, child rights, human rights, rights of women.”Co-productions as paid sponsored programs are also possible.Under this agreement, the sponsor has the editorial say withRadio Sagarmatha providing airtime and technical support,as Radio Sagarmatha’s website explains. 98 Major internationalagencies, foundations, and institutes can also spread their programs,thus raising awareness, when they pay for the preparationof the program.In 2011, a detailed study assessing 15 of the most renownedcommunity radio stations in Nepal already looked upon sevenkey challenges that are common for all community radios inNepal: Participation and ownership, radio governance, radioprograms, resource structure and resource management, radiostation management, financial management, and networking.Radio Sagarmatha was ranked in third place outof the 15 stations that were analyzed. 99 The station was verystrong in terms of programming, but recommendations weregiven regarding its financial management especially as its performancein this area was below par. General problems thatsmaller community radio stations have are, for example, thatstill until today not all maintain a bank account, don’t knowhow to use and generate income from different sources, don’thave an inventory of goods and equipment nor review theirfinancial situation periodically. 100 Many studies have foundthat the quality of programming has improved considerablyin recent years. But still, financial sustainability remains achallenge and is in many cases directly linked to the quality ofprogramming when journalists are poorly paid, proper equipmentis missing or not correctly installed.Radio Sagarmatha is very proud of its news bulletin Haalchaaland news are broadcast throughout the day. It is one ofthe core issues for Radio Sagarmatha. Topics of the programand news are “collectively chosen” and an editorial meetingis convened “three times a day.” 101 Besides the news editor, theorganization chart shows that senior and assistant editors,co-reporters and junior reporters work in the news section toensure proper research, unbiased reporting and cross-checkingof information through a defined working pattern. Centralplanning is important as well as proper organization andguidance by senior journalists at the station. For international75Dhungana, January 27, 2013;Freedom Forum, Jan. 28, 2013.76Tika Ram Rai, current StationManager at Radio Sagarmatha.77Federation of Nepali Journalists2014.78Nepal Press Institute 2014.79Ibid.80Ibid.81Tika Ram Rai, current StationManager at Radio Sagarmatha.82Tirtha Koirala, President of NEFEJand Chairman of the Board ofRadio Sagarmatha.83Radio Sagarmatha 2014c.84Mohan Chapagain, Chairman ofthe Association of CommunityRadio Broadcasters Nepal(ACORAB).85Ibid.86Ibid.87Tika Ram Rai, current StationManager at Radio Sagarmatha.88Ibid.89Mohan Chapagain, Chairman ofthe Association of CommunityRadio Broadcasters Nepal(ACORAB).90Ibid.91ACORAB 2008.92Pringle & Subba 2007, 36 and 37.93Ibid.94Ibid.95Osang & Buerki, 1999.96Ibid.97Tika Ram Rai, current StationManager at Radio Sagarmathaand Ghamaraj Luitel, HeadMedia Academy Nepal andFormer Station Manager RadioSagarmatha.98Radio Sagarmatha 2014d.99Radio Lumbini and RadioMenchhyayem scored bestaccording to CRSC, see CRSC 2011.100Ibid.101Tika Ram Rai, current StationManager at Radio Sagarmatha.Edition DW Akademie In the Service of the Public 213