Local radio and diversity

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the period between 2022 and 2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages to draw global attention toward the critical situation of many indigenous languages and to mobilize stakeholders and resources for their preservation, revitalization and promotion.  In an era of rapid media evolution, radio still has the power to bring people together and provide communities with vital news and information and local language radio programs. Currently, 365 community radios are operating in 77 districts of Nepal. These radios are operated by rural communities, including women, Dalit and Janjati communities.  These community radios have been shifting the power paradigm from elites to poor. Community radios in Nepal have been addressing the diversities of the country in a proper manner as they are spreading awareness by airing radio programs and news in more than 40 local languages. Maximum number of local radios are presenting diversity in Nepal.

Nepali society is very diverse as it features people from 125 ethnic groups speaking 129 languages. One can see an entirely different culture, geography and languages in every 3 hours walk from the north to the south or the east to the west. Only mainstream media and national radio cannot unleash the potential of diversity of this magnitude.

While localizing the issue, the challenges and hindrance that were faced previously should be internalized and necessary amendments should be made to ensure that these issues are not faced again. Media can work effectively on this issue. For social transformation reformation in present law and policy should be undertaken. Decentralization of authority and power is one way to empower local level and necessary laws should be formulated to ensure people enjoy the perks of decentralization.

Community radios has been playing the role of media in disseminating information and raising awareness through its programs at the grassroots level connecting it to the central level.  Diverse radios producing programs in various languages have made it possible to share information to a wide range of people throughout the country, thereby playing a role in social transformation.

Though the problem is not solved by the radio, it helps in challenging traditional thought processes and helps bring change from the grassroots. The reach of the media has also ensured that many incidents are not hidden or sidelined but are featured nationwide and leave the authority with no other option but to take action and help bring positive change.

Caste, gender, class and creed-based discrimination still exists in our country. The feudalistic social and cultural practices have ensured that the marginalized and poor communities are left far behind from the development benefits. After the emergence of the local and community radios, people are more concerned about their daily needs and their supply chain. Community radios are organized, operated and managed by the people in the community and it is generated to protect, promote the social, economic, cultural and political condition locally and nationally.

Community radio serves as a basic medium of communication for the right to information and freedom of speech. Community FM radios are trying to change the daily lifestyle of their audiences through radio programs. Community radios are picking up grassroot-level issues, which are making direct impacts on people’s lives. They are producing and broadcasting radio programs on various social, political and economic issues in various languages.

In Nepal, community radio is a reliable source of information for the elite to the people who are marginalized. Community radios have been helping to bring about positive changes in local communities through radio programs. Various awareness programs and public service announcements are broadcasted every day. Participation of women and people from marginalized communities has increased in development, political and economic activities because of these radios. In rural areas, women have started local enterprises either from their homes or rented spaces. Service providers are providing quality services to the right holders. Community radios have been empowering local people and making policy-makers accountable. In the 2015 April earthquake and 2017 October floods, community radios were only means of communication at the local level. 

The history of community radio started in 1947 when the Bolivian Labor Association operated the radio for the benefit of their community. In Nepal, the history of community radio began in 1996.

The country remained poor as the people were not aware in the past. In Nepal, 65 percent of the total population and only 42 percent women are literate.  Community radios have the capacity to reach the entire population of the country. However, other media have very limited reach and basically serve the elites. In this situation, community radios are considered as the absolute means of communication for rural communities. Community radios have been connecting the community with the state.

Community radios are the sources of information for the people from rural to urban and poor to rich. It is more than mechanical equipment, studios and frequencies. It is the means of hope, aspiration, security and future of their audiences. They broadcast pro-poor contents mostly overlooked by the commercial or mass-medias. Community radio is the approach rather than physical assets. The community radios are operated by the community to supply their informational needs for transforming their life and society.

Community radios are not-for-profit institutions. They are operated by community-based organizations for their social benefits. Community radio is advocating elimination of all harmful traditional practices through radio programs and their social movement. The subject of social inclusion and social transformation should be the issue of concern to everyone and not just the government and some organizations. Traditional discrimination still prevails in the society. Human trafficking, domestic violence and discrimination against women are still rampant. Many organizations have been working on these issues but real change is yet to be seen. 

In summary, community radios can play a vital role in bringing about positive transformation in our society. 

The author is chief of (CIN)) at ACORAB