Setting up more community radio stations can beat misinformation in Jammu and Kashmir: Official

Increasing the number of community radio station is capable of defeating misinformation campaign in remote places of Jammu and Kashmir, Director Information, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said on Thursday.

"There is a need to have more community radio stations in various places across the state, particularly in rural, remote and mountainous areas to give factual information and educate people about various issues concerning them, particularly with regard to the situation in the Valley," he said at the two-day workshop on 'Community Radio Awareness' here.

The workshop was launched by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in partnership with Community Radio Association to provide an overview on the process and principles of community radio stations.

Underlining the importance of community radio stations especially in reference to the recent unrest in Kashmir Valley, Chaudhary said the mainstream media only reported about the civilian bloodshed and those injured by splinters and stone pelting, while neglecting the casualty on the side of security personnel.

"It was here that the need of community radio was felt to spread factual information and give balanced news reports to the people, who were misled by wrong information," he said.

The official also called for increasing the number of community radio stations in far flung areas to educate the public.

Jammu and Kashmir has only one community radio station-Radio Sharda based in the winter capital city of Jammu. Prof Ashok Singh Sunhal, president of Community Radio Association, said the public should take a call and encourage more such stations.

Top professionals, academicians and other technical institutions besides NGOs took part in the workshop.