Community Radios: Small Stations with Big Benefits

The potential of radio as a tool of social development is being utilized throughout the globe, be it developing or developed world.
In Nigeria, with the rampant illiteracy, unemployment, ignorance and multiple social and ethnic issues, the usage of radio as an agent to bring about social change is the demand of time.
That is why we welcome the move by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to license community radio stations to ensure maximum community participation in the development processes.
NBC recognises as a key agent of democratization for social, cultural and economic development.
According to the commission it is a non-profit, grassroots public broadcast service medium through which community members are able to contribute and foster civic responsibility and integration.
Community radio stations are usually set up ‘by the community, for the community’.
They differ from national or international radio broadcasters because they feature local news and issues and often include local people in the programmes. They are also able to broadcast in the local language.
Though, it appears the influence of the good old radio is on the decline, overshadowed by the other media and new communication technologies, radio is still a strong force, especially community radios.
Through community radio stations, listeners in remote rural areas can hear news, practical information and the views of their neighbours.
Community radio is very powerful because of the notion of “quality of place” strengthening along the line; “cultural health” of the community; empowering citizens by providing a forum for a diversity of viewpoints and ideas.
It also promotes awareness of community-based organizations and services, supports local artists, musicians, and cultural activities, and offers an effective instrument for community development while complimenting state and local educational efforts.
Importantly, community radio helps to solve health problems by spreading awareness concerning it, disseminates information faster, eradicates ignorance and gives ordinary people the chance to air their views.
Community radio, if used correctly can bring peace and stability to a nation, and contribute to successful governance because of its capacity for public enlightenment, education, mobilization and social reconstruction.
We commend the rare foresight of the management of the NBC is seeing the huge benefits accruable from community based radios.
We also trust that the NBC will extend the same world best practice in the regulation of the community radios to avoid it being used by mischief makers.
The commission must make sure that the community radio stations are independent of governments, donors, advertisers or other institutions.
 This does not mean that they will not have official relations with these institutions or that it cannot receive funding from them, but the nature of their relations must be governed by clear and transparent agreements that guarantee their non-partisan operation in community-service, while operating within the boundaries defined by the law and by the constitution/guiding principles of the station.