It was the 2004 tsunami that provoked local journalist L. Ajith, member of Indiadisasters.org, a web portal, to look at the option of FM radio as a life-saver or as a tool for disaster awareness. He rallied a few youths from the fishing community and set up Radio Alakal. They soon had the programming in order but with no FM licence they had to find an alternative. Copies of the programmes were narrowcast through loudspeakers in fishing villages and radio clubs.
Ever since it was launched in May, Radio Alakal has been creating waves in coastal hamlets. Alakal catches folks by surprise as youths descend on busy villages. The content of the programmes are in the radio format with weather forecast, tidal height, conditions at sea and disaster warnings. It also includes discussions and expert opinions on livelihood options, market information and interviews.
"We’re in the learning process. Listeners comment on the quality of the programme and raise specific demands. Narrowcasting has enabled us to achieve a low-cost interactive format for receiving and disseminating community-specific information," says Leo Das, a mass communication graduate who works for Alakal.
The network does not have a licence to play film music but it plays songs by local musicians. The cultural content also includes radio drama and cinema analysis. "It’s the local flavour that makes Alakal programmes interesting. There’s virtually nothing on radio or TV for the community other than the routine weather warnings," says Johnson, a fisherman at the fishing hub of Vizhinjam, near Thiruvananthapuram.
Ajith’s initial tie-up plan with an FM licensee has been slow to materialise. But the trial run of programmes started in 15 coastal villages in May, through a network of radio kiosks. The broadcast achieved good results with signals travelling 30 km into sea. "It’s a prelude to a regular broadcasting venture as a community radio, depending on the policies of the Centre. We plan to buy slots on FM and start the actual broadcast soon," says Ajith.
The project has been promoted by several organisations, including the Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilaly Federation, South Indian Federations of Fishermen Societies and Loyola College, Thiruvananthapuram. The Society for the Promotion of Alternative Computing and Employment has provided office and studio space and the recording software.
Contact Sahithy, TC 14/1928 (1), Mother Teresa Chapel Rd, Kannammoola, Medical College PO Thiruvananthapuram—695 011 Tel: 098472 84898. Podcast: alakal.org
