Godavari, Lalitpur – A three-day seminar on the role of radio stations during conflict with the participation of community radios throughout the country was held recently.

Internationally-renowned radio journalist Oscar Antonio Perez, who has observed conflict from close quarters in his own country, was invited from El Salvador in Latin America to share his thoughts on the role of the radio in Nepal.

Speaking at the inauguration of the seminar Chairman of the Community Radio Broadcasters Association Raghu Maainali said that the cooperation received from all quarters during the radio movement and the unity of radio journalists in their fight for their rights was inspirational. He said that community radios should conduct discourses on constituent assembly for the success of election for the constituent assembly and fulfill their role in the peace process so that there will be sustainable peace in the country. Discussions on the need for radio journalists to be alert during this transitional period should be held, he said.

In his remarks General Secretary of the Federation of Nepalese Journalist Mahendra Bista commended the role of independent radio during the movement for democracy and said that the state should recognise this effort. He emphaised the need for the media to be restructured and called for the identification of the needs of the radio and for the government to solve the problems faced by radio stations.

Similarly, General Secretary of Broadcasting Association, Nepal Bishnu Hari Dhakal thanked all national and international organisations that supported and assisted independent radio during the movement for democracy. He said that radio journalists should now focus on ensuring their rights.

During the inauguration ceremony Kathmandu Valley F.M. Broadcasters Forum Bharat Shakya said that community and other independent radio stations have the same role to play in society. Other than in the case of political decisions, the public should be involved in social and economic decisions for a social and economic transformation, Shakya said.

Director of AMARC-Asia Pacific Suman Basnet said that independent radio was working with guns pointing at them from two different sides and appreciated the role of independent radio during the movement for democracy.

General Secretary of Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists Bhupendra Basnet extended gratitude to all who have supported independent radio and expressed confidence that the seminar would provide new directions for unity among community radio stations.

Similarly, media adviser of MS Nepal Binaya Dhital said that his organisation was interested in working with the media. He said that independent radios still had many challenges to protect the rights of the people and MS Nepal would continue to support the radio’s efforts in this regard.

Chairman of AMARC Central America Oscar Antonio Perez talked about the role played by community radio in establishing peace in conflict-ridden countries of South America. He shared his experiences as a radio journalist in the time of war in his country, El Salvador.

Similarly, secretary of the Community Radio Broadcasters Association Bharat Bhusal said there is great opportunity for independent radio at present and there is a need for community radio stations to have a single view on how to move ahead in the coming days.

Chairing over the programme, Chairman of Himchuli F.M. Lekh Bahadur Gurung said that the rights of community radios should be clearly stated.

Wide-ranging discussions were held on the role of independent radio in conflict management. Oscar Antonio Perez and Raghu Mainali presented working papers during the seminar. The seminar was jointly organised by the Community Radio Broadcasters Association and AMARC.

On the third day of the seminar commercial radio stations also participated and it was decided that at manual on the role of radio stations in conflict management would be prepared.