WHAT IS COMMUNITY RADIO - amarc

percent of the world’s population, have three quarters of the world’s telephone lines. It is
obvious that the trickle of information reaching the South will pale in comparison with the
exponential growth experienced by those who are already information rich.
Despite the sobering nature of the situation, we cannot afford to ignore the new information
and communication technologies. We are still a long way from the day when every
schoolchild in Latin America [or Africa] will have the same access to information resources
as does his/her counterpart in Europe or North America, but at least we can make use of the
new technologies to address the problem encountered by the local community radio
producers.
Although an important goal, it is not enough to focus exclusively on the quantitative
development of Latin America’s [or Africa’s] communication infrastructure – more
computers, more satellites, more bandwidth, more speed. We must also develop a strategy
that will enable the consolidation of the social communication networks already present in the
region.” Bruce Girard, former director of Púlsar, in ‘Community Radio: Gateway to the
Information Revolution’.
Financial Sustainability
To start up a community radio will always be a costly exercise. It will require the establishment of
studio facilities and purchase of equipment that is expensive, even if low cost solutions are chosen.
The running costs of the radio station need not be excessive, but should cover expenses for electricity,
tapes, transport, maintenance and replacement of equipment after some time. It might also be necessary
to employ a full-time station manager to co-ordinate the activities of the radio station.
This will necessitate obtaining some means of income. There is a variety of possible incomegenerating
activities that a community radio station can venture into:
� A popular station will be able to generate commercial advertising revenue.
� It can also generate money from listeners through different categories of membership fees.
� Benefit concerts for a radio station can be organised, as well as radio sweepstakes or tombolas.
� Donations from funding agencies can also be solicited, since more and more donor organisations
are beginning to see the developmental value of supporting radio projects.
� Sponsorship of programmes is another viable source of income. Several NGOs and governmental
departments will be interested in sponsoring for example health programmes, and some advertisers
who feel that a programme reaches out to their target audience will definitely put in money into
that programme which generates money for the station.
Stations need to be careful of not allowing themselves to be dictated to by advertisers, who will want to
influence a station’s programming format. This is common when an advertiser feels that he has spent a
considerable amount of money in the station.
Budgeting for your station
For a healthy financial management, consistent budgeting is vital. The following is just an example of
typical budget headings, to be listed on the left side. Figures for the cost of each item listed should be
worked out, per month whenever possible, and then for a whole year. Figures should be put against the
budget items on the right side and one should indicate clearly in what currency the calculations have
been made (e.g. in your national money or in CFA, American dollars, French francs, etc.)
CURRENT EXPENSES BUDGET: (Currency)
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What is Community Radio? A Resource Guide
Published by AMARC Africa and Panos Southern Africa in collaboration with IBIS/Interfund and WACC