Community Radio For

Social ChangeArpita SharmaArpita Sharma

Ph.D. Research ScholarPh.D. Research ScholarDept. of Agricultural CommunicationDept. of Agricultural Communication

G. B. Pant University of Ag.& Tech. Pantnagar,G. B. Pant University of Ag.& Tech. Pantnagar,UttarakhandUttarakhand

Contents• Community Radio• Community radio can contribute in

various ways in development of our country

• Case Studies on community Radio for Social Change

Community Radio

“Community radio will be an effective tool in protecting and promoting local culture. Besides, community radio is the best way to meet the needs of communication at local level because community radio helps creates a place where various people in the community including seniors, youths, mothers with small children, students, religious leaders, people with disabilities meet.”

- Ullah and Chowdhury

Community Radio

Community radio is that it is owned and run by the community, to serve the needs of the people.

Community radio aims to change social conditions and improve the quality of cultural life through meaningful and relevant programme.

It is participatory in nature. people actively take part in formulating the station's policy, strategy and programme content.

Social Impact of Community

Radio

Rural Development and Agricultural Promotion

Agriculture knowledge on Agriculture knowledge on

• right practices, right practices,

• inputs, inputs,

• processes and processes and

• markets has to reach every farmer markets has to reach every farmer

Protect and promote local or community culture and

traditions• Community Radio will be an effective tool in

protecting and promoting local culture.• Programme or Community Radio Station will

broadcast in local dialect, reflecting local culture with local performers, interests and offering locally composed music and programme of the area as well as the country.

Ensure Local level Good Governance and Accountability

• Community Radio assists people to obtain their right by giving them a platform to express their grievances.

• Community Radio has enormous potential of voicing the concern with in and between communities.

• Effective Communication tool, Community Radio can promote a high level of transparency and accountability by playing the watchdog role at all spheres of local public administration and good governance.

Democratic and Participatory Media

Scenario• Community Radio can contribute by taking the

opportunity to eradicate existing problem of credibility and Urban biasness of the central radio broadcast system through providing authentic news and pro-people local programme contents.

• These kind of participation will help in strengthening the bond between the development activities and the community people and development compact association with the community development initiatives by the Government and other organization.

Community Radio empowerment and

promoting the right to know

• Community Radio offer concrete means for public participation and for cultural diversity.

• The content includes political and economic news that facilitate community dialogue and involvement, community and personal message information programme and culturally relevant entertainment.

Social progress and curbing injustice in the

society• Community Radio helps to balance inequalities.• Community Radio can contribute through

providing the means for cultural expression, community discussion and debate and facilities political engagement through providing news and information.

Contd--

Advancement in Health InfrastructureEffective Sharing of InformationEducation programme

"The growth of community radio is a story of people and communities striving to speak out and to be heard. Community radio has provided a means of empowerment and of self-reliance. It has enabled people to engage in dialogue about their conditions and their livelihoods. And it has contributed to the defense of cultural and linguistic diversity. It is a story in which the pursuit of social and development goals has been deeply entwined with the struggle for human and political rights and particularly the right to freedom of expression."