Social impact of community radio stations in India: enhancing participatory development and women empowerment

Abstract

Community radio stations across the world have come up as a third tier of broadcasting, in reaction to both public radio stations and commercial radio stations. In India community radio started at the turn of the century when Government opened up the radio sector. The present study seeks to analyse the social impact of community radio in India by studying both models of community radio: educational institutions supported as well as NGO supported institutions. In assessing these two models through both qualitative and quantitative analysis established research methodologies like survey questionnaires as well as face to face interviews and focus group interviews have been adopted. A representative sample of nearly 500 citizens in the listener areas and 91 community volunteers were administered questionnaires while general information on the 3 radio stations was gathered through face to face interviews. The study has established that although in terms of ownership and operation the educational institution supported campus radio and the NGO supported radio may be different this genre of radio indeed empowers the poor and the voiceless women by giving them social recognition and also endowing economic power through knowledge and skill development. The degree of empowerment depends on the level to which the community is involved. The study finds that Community radio is the best suited communication medium for addressing development issues and bringing empowerment because of the high involvement of the community in the life of the radio station, but the government needs to address issues of capacity building and financial sustainability and put in place mechanisms to ensure greater participation of the community representatives in the operation and management of such stations.