Sachetana (Radio Programme on Human Rights)

National Human Rights Commission, Nepal (NHRC), in coordination with Radio Sagarmatha (RS) FM 102.4 M Hz. has commenced human rights related radio program entitled Sachetana broadcasting since March 2010 through RS and its 11 network radio stations located at different regions of the country. First year of broadcasting there were only 9 radio stations to broadcast this program; but with the beginning of the 2nd year, three more radio stations have been added. The half-an-hour weekly programme, supported by Strengthening the Capacity of National Human Rights Commission (SCNHRC) Project, is based on NHRC’s strategic objective of promoting human rights awareness and education in society by developing and disseminating human rights friendly information, education and communication (IEC) materials. Sachetana will cover diverse issues of human rights through various segments such as radio features, reports, news and discussions. The major objectives of the radio programme are to spread knowledge of NHRC mandate, role and activities to general public, reinforce the implementation of NHRC recommendation, and to contribute to building a human rights and peace-friendly society.

Radio Sagarmatha is the first community radio station in South Asia and has been raising issues of public concern since its establishment in 1997. RS is managed and supervised by Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ) and is on the air for 18 hours a day. RS has been working as the main production and broadcasting center in the Kathmandu valley for this programme and other eight network radio stations, one each in the surrounding of NHRC offices (Ilam, Morang, Khotang, Dhanusa, Chitawan, Pokhara, Rupandehi, Banke, Jumla, Kanchanpur and Dadeldhura) broadcast the human rights programme as scheduled below: