The channels group discussion on urban voters’ turnout and their low voting percentages compared to rural voters has been well received
Bol Hyderabad 90.4 FM is a campus-based community radio station located in Gachibowli, Hyderabad. The FM channel is completely managed by the students of the University of Hyderabad. While the FM channel is dedicated to student issues and subjects of the University, this election season the channel has been running daily shows directed at voter awareness.
How they Work?
BOL Hyderabad started a daily series called the ‘Festival of Democracy’ in association with the SVEEP (Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation) programme of the Election Commission of Telangana. The series dedicated to voter awareness included talks by prominent personalities on the importance of voting, the process of registration and changing of details, precautions to be taken, etc.
Team ‘Bol Hyderabad’ at work in the FM Radio station
The talk show also conducted a group discussion with the student community on various topics related to elections and voting. Students from various colleges participated in the group discussions thereby involving them constructively and also giving them an avenue to voice their opinions.
The RJ and team from BOL Hyderabad have also talked to prominent people in the city like the Deputy Commissioner of Hyderabad City Corporation during the Festival of Democracy series talk show.
The talk show on voter awareness was broadcast at 8 PM daily and was repeated by 9.30 PM the same day. The talk show was also supported by the UNESCO Chair on Community Media for increasing voter awareness.
Impact and Response
The student community has received the programme very well as the FM channel prudently involved them in the show through group discussions. With thousands of listeners from the community all over the city, the ‘Festival of Democracy’ series has been a must listen for anyone who wishes to know more about elections and voting.
The channels group discussion on urban voters’ turnout and their low voting percentages compared to rural voters was very well received by the connoisseurs of the FM channel. Another topic that received a great response was ‘Know Your Candidate’. The group discussions gave many students a good opportunity to air their views on an important topic. BOL Hyderabad’s interview with Sri T Venkanna, Dy Commissioner GHMC and BLO of Serilingampally in the Festival of Democracy series was a hit among the listeners.
