This post is a part of YKA’s dedicated coverage of the novel coronavirus outbreak and aims to present factual, reliable information. Read more.
At a time when people are confined to their homes because of the novel coronavirus pandemic lockdown, community radio stations are playing a vital role in spreading and advocating awareness on social distancing, sanitisation, and fake news.
Sehgal Foundation’s community radio station, Alfaz-e-Mewat FM 107.8, in the Nuh district of Haryana, caters to 225 villages and is playing an instrumental role in broadcasting information received from the District Collector, Chief Medical Officer, and other governmental authorities, including the entitlements of the extended schemes.
The radio started a program ’21 din 21 baatein (21 days 21 topics)’ with a message by an expert along with a thematic poem on frequent hand washing, access to healthcare services, physical distancing, the importance of yoga, and the time for self-learning on a daily basis to spread positivity among people. Discussions on contemporary issues, including the coronavirus outbreak, and local folk songs on social isolation are presented to listeners.
A special program, Savdhaan, focusing on cautioning people from believing fake news and myths about COVID-19, shares the prerequisites needed to identify the authenticity of news. The Aaj Ka Hero program showcases a personal account highlighting a change made in lifestyle/behavior that protects oneself and others from spreading the coronavirus.
With scare and panic all around, community listeners share in daily live phone-in programs, saying that radio is their only source of information and entertainment during this period. Radio connects callers with experts via telephone. The station answers a lot of questions that the community raises — how long the lockdown is in the area and about their entitlements based on the information received from the district administration and the health department. The station also broadcasts informative jingles shared by the District General Hospital, Nuh. “Due to high illiteracy in our area, only oral means can ensure effective communication,” said Fakat Hussain, RJ at Alfaz-e-Mewat.
Pooja Murada, Director Communications, S M Sehgal Foundation, said:
“We review the situation daily and follow the advice of the relevant authorities. Our main focus is on providing daily updates regarding the lockdown, government initiatives, and what all essential services are available. We are regularly updating our listeners about the announcements by district administration. We disseminate only official announcements and refrain from airing information related to alternate sources. Our RJs are working on rotational basis to fulfill their responsibility, and they also work from home where possible. If this had happened twenty years ago, it would have been difficult, because we didn’t have the technology we have now.”
Alfaz-e-Mewat is using social media, IEC materials like posters, and the community newsletter Vikas Patrika to keep villagers informed. We need to be in a lockdown during the pandemic. Stay healthy!
(Sonia Chopra is program leader, Communications, at S M Sehgal Foundation, a rural development organisation, registered since 1999).
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