Radio : the most influential media outlet in Nepal

The terminology ‘mass media’ is composed of two words ‘mass’ and ‘media’. It is the shorter form of ‘mass communication media’. Literally, ‘mass’ denotes the large number of people and ‘media’ are any physical tools used to communicate. Thus, ‘mass media’ means communication vehicles, such as newspaper, radio, TV, film, online, etc. which reach mass populations. These mass medium strengthen message to reach large audience. These are the means to carry messages to mass audiences.
In this age of science and technology, importance of mass media cannot be overestimated. It is felt difficult to spend a single day without the use of mass media. Deferent aspects of our social, political, economics, and personal are being influenced by mass media. Mass media work as an instrument for forming public opinion and expanding our national economy through advertising and publicity. They create as well as reflect people’s tastes, needs and requirements which lead to industrial and commercial enterprises.
In case of Nepal, Radio has proved to be the most influential mass media.Influence of radio on social relations is extremely significant. No aspect of our behavior, relationships and habits escapes the impact of radio.

Current scenario of Media in Nepal
The evolution of mass media in Nepal began with the introduction of the hand press in 1851 A.D. The printing of the first monthly magazine “Sudha Sagar” in 1891 actually signifies the beginning of Nepali journalism. Two years later in 1901, the first weekly newspaper was published which was converted into a daily newspaper in 1960. The first state owned “Gorkhapatra Corporation” came into being in 1964 and first English daily “The Rising Nepal” was brought out in 1965. With it, electronic broadcast as well was being established. The first radio station, Radio Nepal was established in 1951.
The information and communication revolution in Nepal seems to be centralized in the cities, mostly in Kathmandu valley. Most of the mass media, except few locally operating media, are focused to urban population. There is still lack of skilled manpower in this field.
Modern mass media have contributed reasonably to general awareness and development programs in various parts of the world. But, in case of Nepal, much still needs to be achieved in this regard. Most of our population lives in rural areas, yet the modern mass media are largely confined to the cities. Relying only in the modern and new media could create a communication gap between the relatively few modernized and educated urban dwellers and the mass of people who still live in rural areas. Such type of communication gap exists in Nepal.
Communication in less developed countries is constrained by economics, educational demographic factors. So is the case of Nepal too, low level of literacy means that broadcast media are of greater importance for reaching the masses than is the printed word.
The transportation system of Nepal has not been well developed. Similarly, the vast majority of Nepali people are still deprived of electricity. The condition of such infrastructural development obviously affects the development of mass media. Perhaps the political instability and violent conflict are the major problems. The situation of journalists and mass media industry as well is being very difficult and risky.

Newspaper
Although 85 percent of Nepalese live in rural areas, most mainstream Nepalese media published in the Kathmandu Valley ignores issues specific to those areas. Fifty-five percent of Nepal's 24 million population are illiterate, and poor roads and infrastructure limit print media distribution.
According to the latest report issued by the Press Council of Nepal, there are 205 regular news publications in circulation-35 dailies, 147 weeklies, 10 fortnightlies and 13 monthlies.
Because of poor road and transportation network, national newspapers reach only one-third of the district headquarters within 24 hours after publication. Nearly one-third of the other district headquarters has to make do with several days old papers.

Television
Beginning in December 1985, the state-owned Nepal Television Corporation began airing programs several hours daily. By the twenty-first century, there were 79,000 televisions in Nepal. Viewers often use satellite dishes to receive international broadcasts from CNN and the BBC in addition to Indian and foreign programs. Television is limited because only 15 percent of homes have electricity. Much broadcast media consists of entertainment rather than news.
Several private sector agencies have applied for licenses to operate their own television services. Cable networks offering various foreign channels are thriving-spread as they are in most urban parts. But they are prevented from extensive reach since less than 14 per cent of the population has access to electricity supply. Additionally, according to the highly underestimated official figure, more than 40 per cent of the population lives below poverty line. Television viewers in Nepal spend more time watching foreign channels than local channels simply because local channel basically means Nepal Television.
Nepal has witnessed rapid development in the field of television after the restoration of democracy. Now we have number of Nepali television channels and some others are likely to come. Thus increase in quantity is there. But they all are bring criticized for dominance of entertaining program, imitation of foreign channels, lack of educational and public awareness programs and lack of professionalism. Besides, television set is out of reach for the people of rural areas and most of the people in Nepal live in rural areas.

Internet
During the last decade of the 20th century, the advent of the World Wide Web marked the first era in which any individual could have a means of exposure on the scale of mass media.
Internet access is Nepal is limited by lack of equipment and related expenses. Journalists do not regularly use the Internet to research. Some sites post articles from the Rising Nepal and The Kathmandu Post online. However, in context of Nepal, internet is not the suitable mass medium. There is literacy barrier and internet is comparatively expensive than other media.

Radio
Radio is the most powerful media at present. It can transport its voice to millions of persons each day to far away places. Radio sets can be fit in private cars, taxis, buses, lorries. Radio transmission can cover a vast area with natural barriers and one can listen to radio programmes very well while he is engage in any physical even in intellectual work. The infrastructure required for radio transmission is also not so sophisticated and expensive like that for TV transmission. There are more radios than television in Nepal. Physically, radios are smaller, portable.

Importance of Radio
Radio broadcasting is the cheapest and quickest means of mass communications in Nepal. In a mountainous country like Nepal, radio broadcasting has proved to be a very effective medium for disseminating information, educating people and entertaining the masses.
In case of Nepal, the large number of people is still unable to use print media. The illiteracy spread over the country is the barrier. There is question of purchasing power because you have to pay for every issue of magazines and newspapers. The ill transportation system discourages the distribution of print media and decreases the peoples’ access. In case of television, the sets are costlier. The lack of electricity also restricts the use of television. Thus radio medium is the only alternative for the people. Its easiness of being used while doing other works is also notable. There are various other reasons that depict radio as the most mass medium for Nepal.

Languages used in FM Radio
Since Nepal is a multilingual country, there are many languages used in FM stations. Some languages used are Newari, Tamang, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magar, Tharu, Gurung, Limbu, Awadi and Rai languages.

Current Status of radio stations in Nepal (as on April 15, 2008)

• Number of FM radio licenses issued: 272
• Operational FM radio stations: 136
• Operational FM radio transmitters: 161
• Multiple channel FM broadcasters: 4
• Multiple site FM radio broadcasters: 5
• FM broadcasters with satellite uplink: 5

Closed/dissolved radio stations
• Manakamana FM 92.24 Hz (Hetauda) - 500 watts (Private)
• HBC FM 94.0 MHz (Kathmandu) - 1000 watts (Private)

According to the research, the reasons for tuning or specifying the radio station as the favorite one were found to be largely based on the following reasons as mentioned by the respondents:
• Selection of songs/music
• Programs with superior content
• Style and language of program presentation
• The technical quality of the sound
• Friendly approach
• Content relevant to the community

Facts about Radio
• The Broadcast Audience Survey (BAS 2006-2007) shows that 65% of the country is covered by one of more of the FM radio signals for comfortable tuning to the radio frequencies. This percentage increases to 75% when calculated for the lowest signal level that can be received by a highly sensitive radio set.
• Housewives and shop owners are the most radio listening group in the country (32% each) while students (13%) are found to be the next most listening group in the country.
• Radio is available and accessible in 82% of Nepalese household while 59% of household has television, telephone 30%, newspaper 13%, magazines 5% and internet 1%.
• 76% of radio sets owned have both AM and FM tuners while around 7% of radio sets are only tunable to AM bands such as Medium Wave and Short wave.
• 56% of radio sets owned in the country are Chinese brands, while 37% of radio sets are Indian and 2.7% Japanese. 1.8 percent of radio sets are from rest of the countries.
• Radio is the most preferred source of information and entertainment with 64%, followed by television - 35%, newspapers 0.8% and internet 0.1%.
• FM radio is the most preferred (84.7%) frequency band among the radio bands, followed by Medium Wave (MW – 44.6%) and Short Wave (SW – 16.5%).
• The peak radio listening time is 6:00am – 8:00am in the morning and 6:00pm -10:00pm in the evening.

Conclusion
Media enrich our lives and brings us all information together, provide us with satisfying entertainment that relieves stress, and make us more aware of important public issues and problems. Technological advancement has made communication easier and the media has made the world smaller.
In Nepal, FM radios has proved to be effective among all manner of people, be they children, youths or elderly in terms of age, the poor or middle. Every people from any classes, age or caste have started thinking radio as one of the most effective mass media. It is the most suitable mass medium considering the geographical state as well. Hence in context of Nepal, radio is the most influential media outlet.

Reference
1. Adikari, Nirmala Mani. Advertising, Public Relatios and Media Issues, Prashanti Pustak Bhandari, Kathmandu, Nepal
2. Adikari, Nirmala Mani, 2008. Communication, Media and Journalism and Integrated Study, Prashanti Pustak Bhandari.
3. Guragain,Gopal Toya Ghimire.2005.Role aSthiti ra Pravriti, Kathmandu, M.S. Nepal.
4. Kharel, P., 2001. Media Issues in Nepal, Nepal Association of Media Education(NAME).
5. Sapkota, Premdarshan and Pradhan Paribesh et al. FM Radios as Source for News, Social Science Baha
6. Sinclair, John and Turner, Graeme. Contemporary World Television, British Film Institute.
7. Singh, U.K., Sudarshan, K.A. Discovery publishing House, New Delhi.
8. The Right to tell: The Role of Mass Media in Economic Development, WBIv Development Studies, 2002, Washington D.C.

Websites
www.asiawaves.net
www.fesnepal.org
www.gfa.org
www.mondotimes.com
www.nepaldemocracy.org
www.nepalradio.org
www.radionepal.org
www.radiostationworld.org
www.pressreference.com
www.sarai.net
www.socyberty.com
www.stateofthenewsmedia.org
www.wikipedia.org