South Asia’s first community radio service enters 10th year

Radio Sagarmatha, Nepal’s first independent radio station and the first community radio of South Asia entered its 10th year on Tuesday.

The FM station based in Pulchowk, Kathmandu, which used to run information-based programs two hours a day in the beginning now broadcasts news and entertainment programs 18 hours a day. Areas of its 90 programs a week range from current affairs and education to entertainment.

A press statement issued by Radio Sagarmatha on the occasion of its 10th anniversary said the radio station is dedicated to fulfill the need of the listeners of information, education and healthy entertainment through responsible radio journalism.

It also called on the House of Representatives, the government, political parties and the civil society to take initiatives from their sides to ensure independence to radio stations.

The FM station had become a target of the previous royal regime for running news-based programs when news was banned in FM radios after the February 1, 2005 royal takeover.

Radio Sagarmatha 102.4 MHZ is the only radio station in Nepal that runs programs in Nepali and national languages.nepalews.com mk May 24 06