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

news, Radio Sagarmatha has subscribed to the national NewsAgency Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) 102 that is workingclosely together with international agencies such as AP, Xinhua,PTI, etc. Meanwhile other stations – especially those inrural areas – that cannot afford to subscribe to a news agencysometimes face the problem that they rely on old news fromnewspapers only.Perception, Participation and Public EngagementRadio Sagarmatha is undoubtedly one of the most successfuland powerful community radio stations of Nepal. 103 It is verypopular in the Kathmandu valley and eagerly monitored bydecision makers. The audience is diverse as are the programsthat address all levels of society: from shop owners to housewives,from children and students to senior citizens and womento farmers and decision makers. Radio Sagarmatha joinedFacebook in October 2013 and the station is slowly buildingup a community of fans. 104 The page is maintained by the programproducers who post links and information about theirprograms on a regular basis, but sometimes there is a day gapor even more in updating the page. One can also find teamphotos or other information of NGOs that were featured onthis page. “Excellent,” “best,” or “informative” were the wordsused by users to describe Radio Sagarmatha. 105Public Service: General FunctionsBased on the analysis of the media scene in Nepal it is clearthat the state broadcaster Radio Nepal is in many ways nota public service broadcaster. But Radio Sagarmatha is a verygood example for a community radio station that is able totake over for its audience many functions of public service mediaas the following chapter shows.Creating a Public SphereRadio Sagarmatha is proud to have been in many instancesan agenda-setter and that through its investigative reportingmany issues of domestic and foreign interest came intolight. Some examples are mentioned on the Radio Sagarmathawebsite: 106– The Nepalese government had agreed back in 2007on a controversial extradition treaty with the Indiangovernment. According to this treaty – it has been anissue that came up from time to time since the 1950s –even individuals with third country nationality neededto be handed over to India when demanded. InteriorMinister Krishna Prasad Sitaula was traveling to Delhito sign the deal. The Dashain festival – Nepal’s longestand most auspicious festival – was celebrated on thesedays and all the newspapers were shut. Radio Sagarmathaorganized a studio discussion and after it, thegovernment backed down from its previous decisionbecause of public pressure.– At the Supreme Court the case file belonging to TulasiDevi Ghimire 107 had suspiciously gone missing. RadioSagarmatha reported on the issue and interviewed theJoint Registrar and renowned judge, Til Prasad Shreshta.Eventually the file was retrieved.– Radio Sagarmatha also states that the intensive reportingand open debate on issues related to genderwas helpful as the country came up with an improvedand gender-friendly legislation including reproductivehealth for women. 108 If it was Radio Sagarmatha’sreporting alone that changed the law or if Radio Sagarmatha’sreporting was only part of a combined effortof many stakeholders cannot be proven. 109 But it can besafely said that this certainly was a case where the stationoffered an important forum and platform for debates,opinions and dialogue.– Natural disasters are another area where Radio Sagarmathahas been effective. Its broadcasting has informedpeople during crises about details of the emergency,rescue operations, restitution that victims can expect,and how to protect themsleves from illnesses. Exampleswere floods and landslides that hit especially westernNepal in 2002 or the Kosi river floods in 2008. 110 RadioSagarmatha is running a program on issues relatedto earthquakes too, which is called Bhukampiya Surakshya.This is a very relevant topic as Nepal is earthquakeprone and considered to be a “high-risk country.” 111 Inmodern history, approximately every 75 years a majorearthquake has occurred. The last one happened in1934. The United Nations Office on Disaster Risk Reductionestimates that up to 100,000 people could losetheir lives if an earthquake destroyed large parts of theKathmandu valley. 112Supporting IntegrationRadio Sagarmatha is educating, informing, and entertainingpeople through its programs, raising awareness, supportingintegration and preserving the national and cultural heritage.One example is Uhile Bajeka Palama - In the time of our forefathers.The concept for this program was already drafted in1999 during a first consultancy by DW Akademie. In its finalrecommendation the team noted: “Recording oral history isan essential task of public service broadcasting. Elders in thecities and villages in the valley certainly have stories to tell andsongs to sing.” 113 The 30-minute program values the culturalidentity of the Nepalese people and educates the younger generationabout history. It is a unique and creative way of constructinga local identity and emphasizing the sense of a localbelonging. Moreover, Radio Sagarmatha is proud to have morethan 25,000 sound tracks saved in its archives, preserving thecultural heritage of the communities it is serving.214