Community Media Broadcasters: March 23rd

From this panel, Archana Kapoor (SMART, India) was the most powerful for me. She talked about how the word empowerment can take on several meanings, based on context. She joked that she had the power because she was speaking into the microphone and her voice could be heard in the room. She also gave examples of ability/possibility to change and the ability to speak freely were important forms of empowerment.

"Women have the right to voice. If we don't use it, we are voiceless. And, people have been muted." 

Kapoor works for SMART in rural areas in India; she talked about the challenge of working in India, where language and dialects change every 50m. With this in mind, she explained why community radio was so important. In India, it gives each "pocket" of people (with different languages, practices, etc.) the ability to speak in their native language and to have their voice be heard. Kapoor talks about the use of community radio as a form of empowerment, to have your voice be heard. She also noted that radio is low cost, high impact. In a country where women have to bargain to be heard, community radio gives them voice and a platform to share their experiences. Kapoor notes that, although life hasn't changed yet for most women, at least their voices are being heard and they feel like they're making a difference. 

Community radio is: 1) local, 2) cost-effective, 3) empowering and 4) powerful.