why local radio

“To reduce poverty, we must liberate access to information and improve the quality of information. People with more information are empowered to make better choices. For these reasons, I have long argued that a free press is not a luxury. It is at the core of equitable development.”

James Wolfensohn, former President of The World Bank Group

Accurate information, therefore, is nearly as important as clean water to the health of a community.  Radio is the most accessible, participatory and effective medium to reach people in the developing world, giving voice to people to air and solve their own problems.

“The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.”   Plato

Around the world, community radio plays a vital role in overcoming political apathy by providing people with access to information about their local and national leaders.  Empowered with this information, citizens can start to fight endemic corruption, developing methods to hold government officials accountable for their actions.   In this way, radio not only informs people about government failure, but it also provides the vehicle though which to work for positive political change.

Because radio is a personal medium that speaks a local language, it also presents information about health problems and other community issues.  For example, radio has proven an effective tool for teaching local populations about HIV/AIDS and combating the powerful social stigmas associated with this disease.  Effective community radio programming helps to stimulate community discussion about attitudes and beliefs, and promotes behavior change.

Rare Conservation created “Coconut Bay”, a popular soap opera with social messages that was broadcast in Antigua, St. Vincent, Dominica and Grenada.   On average, 46% of listeners report a change in their attitudes on key issues, such as teen pregnancy, contraception, HIV/AIDS, spousal abuse, and the environment.

Case Studies: The Power of Radio