Role Of Community Media In Civil Society: A Study Of Community Radio And Its History

Abstract

Ever since humankind evolved and started interacting, there have been several mediums of communication and they all play a vital role in the growth and evolution of mankind. Over centuries, media has adapted, modified and upgraded from bards⁽¹⁾ going door-to-door to sing praises, to radio and newspaper, to 24/7 television and internet. Community media is more niche wherein local content, culture and diversity gets promoted. It is the medium of intercultural dialogue that helps spread information and raise awareness locally. The urban population might be bilingual or may speak both English and Hindi fluently, the rural population still doesn’t understand either. A local body or platform is still needed for spreading awareness and disseminating information. For any civil society to flourish, it’s important to promote programmes and activities aiming at social gain and benefit of the community. Community media helps keep diversity and pluralism alive, and can be extremely effective in the socio-economic growth of a country.