Democratizing Information in India: Role of Community Radios as a Developmental Intervention

Abstract

Community Radios are a relatively recent phenomenon in India. However, they are an impactful platform and hold a vast potential to reach out to India’s widely dispersed, varied and secluded communities, who have specific local needs and aspirations. Moreover, by providing a voice to the poor and marginalized they are a powerful tool for empowering the dis-empowered. This article provides a historical background of the growth of Community Radios in India, and describes how they are facilitating the promotion of social justice and inclusion, making the remote and marginalized communities aware about the government schemes and their entitlements, improving delivery of public services and sharing and preserving indigenous knowledge and best practices.