History of radio Pakistan
Radio Pakistan was
originally known as the Pakistan Broadcasting
Service at the time of its inception on 14 August 1947. In the decade of 1970s
the Government of Pakistan made Radio Pakistan an organization and further
extended its network. Presently, Radio Pakistan has its own reporters and
stringers in many areas, besides it subscribes news from various news agencies.
Within the beginning all programs of Radio Pakistan won’t to broadcast on
medium waves, but later, it further extended its reach by going to short waves.
Later, the Radio Pakistan programs on FM waves, besides permission to
non-public sector to line up radio stations ensured the straightforward access
of individuals belonging to each walk of life to radio. It has got the
distinction in proper use of language in their programs, and it has maintained
a very high standard of innovation and quality in its news department. It has
ensured use of proper pronunciation and delivery of words in Urdu and other
languages. That is why the language used by Radio Pakistan is considered
standard and benchmark. From the creation of Pakistan up to 1960s, when
television was introduced in the country, radio was the only source of access
to information and entertainment. In the decade of 1970s Radio Pakistan used to
broadcast dramas of international standard. In this way the Radio Pakistan made
different programs for various sections of society and provided them standard
information and entertainment. In rural and urban areas of Pakistan many people
don’t have an access to newspapers and television, while in rural areas
65percent population could not take benefit from both of them due to
illiteracy. For these people the only way for access to information is radio.
In most of the areas in Pakistan the only means of access to information is the
state-run Radio Pakistan, which avoids giving coverage to opposition and
highlighting its point of view, and hence promotes a one-sided and biased way
of thinking.
In
1973, under the Pakistan Broadcasting Act (1973) the Radio Pakistan was
converted into corporation, which still is bound to follow the instructions of
federal government in its announcements and news regarding the state policy. In
the beginning of 21st century, realizing the changes taking place at global
level, the government of Pakistan decided to give permission to electronic
media (radio and television) in private sector. Earlier, in 1990s a private
television company was allowed to show entertainment programs. After the year
2002, when the government allowed setting up radio and TV channels in private
sector this new sector expanded, rapidly. Presently, FM radio stations are
working in big and small towns of the whole country and areas along highways.
Majority of them present entertainment programs, while some radio stations also
broadcast news. A conference of FM Radio Development, held at Rawalakot town of
Azad Jammu and Kashmir on August 9-10, 2008 has already passed a declaration in
this regard. (The declaration is included in Appendix-B). Presently, no radio
in Pakistan qualifies the definition of community radio; however, there are
bright chances for this sector in the country. The community radio could prove
beneficial only when it has a direct access to people. Every individual has the
right to talk on the problems faced by him at the community radio, and any
restrain in this regard affects the very concept of community radio. To meet
the expenses of community radio, some of its airtime could be sold. Moreover,
assistance could be sought from civil society organizations. A study of various
models of community radios could help in improving its performance The Pakistan
Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) till now has issued more than 200
FM radio licenses, and majority of these radio stations are working. The
FM radio is a crucial source of contact with people. It not only keeps them
conscious of happenings around them but also provide them entertainment. The
recognition of radio increased after the introduction of FM radio. This is
often because the FM radio provides information to people having no access to
newspapers or television. Moreover, radio is reasonable and anyone could pip
out easily. It’s also available on internet. This is often why today people
belonging to different age groups and different social background hear radio.
People enjoy listening radio while traveling, peasants hear it while ploughing
their fields, and workers hear it in their factories and shop.
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