How to Do Community Radio
Community Radio has a special place in UNESCO’s programs.
The aim of UNESCO’s community radio program is to address
crucial social issues at a community level, such as poverty and
social exclusion, empower marginalized rural groups and catalyze
democratic processes and development efforts.
What is Community Radio?
A community radio station is one that is operated in the community, for
the community, about the community and by the community.
The community can be territorial or geographical - a township, village,
district or island. It can also be a group of people with common interests,
who are not necessarily living in one defined territory. Consequently,
community radio can be managed or controlled by one group, by
combined groups, or of people such as women, children, farmers, fisher
folk, ethnic groups, or senior citizens.
What distinguishes community radio from other media is the high level
of people’s participation, both in management and program production
aspects. Furthermore, individual community members and local
institutions are the principal sources of support for its operation.
Characteristics of Community Radio
Following are the characteristics of community radio:
· It serves a recognizable community.
· It encourages participatory democracy.
· It offers the opportunity to any member of the community to initiate
communication and participate in program making, management and
ownership of the station.
· It uses technology appropriate to the economic capability of the
people, not that which leads to dependence on external sources.
· It is motivated by community well being, not commercial
considerations.
· It promotes and improves problem solving.
