National Conference on Community Radio: Prospects and Challenges

CALL FOR PAPERS

National Conference on Community Radio: Prospects and Challenges,  16 & 17 March, 2012 
Department of Communication, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli– 12, Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu  Development communication generally refers to the planned use of strategies and process of communications aimed at achieving development. Community media are media to which members of the community has access, for information, education and entertainment, when they need access. They are media in which the community participates, as planners, producers and performers. They are the means of expression of the community, rather than for the community. Since the inception of the community radio, it has gained momentum in Indian scenario. The interventions of civil societies have invigorated the use of community media as an effective medium to foster the development progress. Community, alternative, citizens' and civil society-based communication practices challenge one-way top-down communication models. The success of any development initiative is assessed with participation of the community as its key factor. Community media initiatives are aimed at making the community people participate from the conception of the project. Hence these community media initiatives had carved anew space after the air waves was made free for the civil societies. Still the challenges of the community media lie in the participation of the community which has its own impact on the sustainability of the project.  At this juncture it would be meaningful to discuss about empowerment, participation, locality and development in community and alternative media, and how should such concepts be reviewed and re-thought. Papers should provide the best practices in community media across India and new concepts and approaches, offering innovative proposals on how to assess and evaluate these practices. The conference will cover issues related to the theme. But papers can be on the following themes:

 

Subthemes:

Community radio: Voice to the voiceless

Community video: Videos that empower 

Community newspaper 

Social media: a new horizon to unite the community

Participatory approaches in community media

Community networking 

 

Important dates:

Submission of abstracts: on or before 24.02.2012
Notification of acceptance: 29. 02.2012
Final paper submission and registration of authors: 10.03.2012
Conference dates: 16 & 17March, 2012

Abstract Submission:
An abstract of about 300 words together with an academic bio including the name of the institution, contact information (telephone/ e-mail)should be submitted on or before 24.02.2012 to reach:msu.communityradio2012@gmail.com

Full paper Submission: 

Between 4000 - 5000 words to be submitted on or before 10.03.2012
The abstract and full paper should be sent in English only, but the presentation may be made in English or Tamil.

Registration Process
Rs.500/- for full-time research scholars and Rs. 750 for teachers and other participants, to be paid in DD drawn in favour of The Registrar, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli. This includes the cost of attending the conference, tea-breaks and working lunch during the conference. Arrangements for stay will be made on prior request before 12. 03. 2012and payment. No TA/DA will be paid for the participants. A participation/ paper presentation certificate will be issued to those who register and attend the Conference personally.
Proceedings: 

The abstracts will be brought out in the form of peer reviewed conference proceedings and the contents will be uploaded in the department website. 

Contact Information:   
Dr.P. Govindaraju
Professor & Head Department of Communication, Dean - Faculty of Arts
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
Tirunelveli - 627 012 Tamil Nadu
Mobile: 9443126300, 9487999607     Phone: 9487999703

E-mail:  msu.communityradio2012@gmail.com 

 

Looking forward!Regards,
Prof. P. Govindaraju
Organizing Secretary