Written by TP Mishra

A community radio station in Nepal, operated by media students and lecturers, is bidding to go international in an attempt to cover issues affecting the whole of South Asia. The new station is based in Kathmandu’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications (CMJC) and began test broadcasting on 30 June. TP Mishra reports from Nepal.

CJMC Community FM - image TP Mishra

A community radio station in Nepal, operated by media students and lecturers, is bidding to go international in an attempt to cover issues affecting the whole of South Asia.

The new station is based in Kathmandu’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications (CMJC) and began test broadcasting on 30 June.

Now, following a successful launch, the editorial team wants to broaden its editorial agenda by exploring the issues being focused on by SAARC, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

SAARC was set up in 1985 when Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka decided to provide a platform for the people of South Asia to work together in a spirit of friendship, trust and understanding.

SAARC focuses on ...

• Agriculture and Rural Development
• Health and Population Activities
• Women, Youth and Children
• Environment and Forestry
• Science and Technology and Meteorology
• Human Resources Development
• Transport.

According to the founder and director of CJMC Community FM Radio, Dr Manju Mishra, the station's aim is to focus on covering issues such as education, health, the environment, women, society and development particularly as they affect all the countries represented by SAARC

Dr Mishra, says the expansion of the new station’s coverage depends on adequate funds being raised and she’s appealing to international media bodies to assist.

Around 60 community FM radio stations currently operation in Nepal, but CJMC Community FM is the first run by media students and academics.

The writer, TP Mishra, is a student at the CJMC studying for a  Bachelor’s degree in Media Technology