Community Media for Social Change

It is clear that there is no generic way to identify and define community media, but through an array of definitions specific to a given context. In defining community media, scholars have been burdened with the task of examining the scope and depth of communities ranging from the traditional geographic perspectives to the modern day virtual and societal. Emanating from this fluidity is the question around whose voices gain prominence in mediums defined as community media. Adding to this complexity are the technologies that carry the cause of community development through community mediums. Ultimately the debate revolves around the true ownership of messages and the authenticity of community voices within these mediums. Accessibility remains a critical element in arrogating the responsibility for messages that normally pass as community messages. The question of participatory characteristics of these communication options remains critical in the debate around the impact and efficacy of community media as an agent for community driven developmental objectives.
Indeed this new approach on ICTs for community media can be seen as an opportunity for development initiatives to include marginalized groups into the public sphere, as well as bridging the digital divide. ICTs can embrace both traditional and new forms of information technologies especially through mixing both radio and the internet in a given community. In summation, technology by itself is not the answer within development processes and from a communication for development approach, the voice of the citizen needs to be listened to and heard. ICTs should be more accessible to marginalized groups, but taking into account some social and political aspects, like active participation in decision-making, community interests, values and traditions, sustainability and empowerment.