Bala Lakhendra

Community Radio a Tool of Participatory Communication for Development Bala Lakhendra

In relation to Community Radio, the term community refers to a collective group of people sharing common characters and common interests. The term community can either be defined as a geographically based group of persons on as social group or sector of the people who have common or specific interests. Community Radio means radio broadcasting with the objective of serving the cause of the community in the service area by involving members of the community in the broadcast of their programmes. Community Radio affords a unique advantage of receiving transmission through low cost, battery operated portable radio sets. Like democracy Community Radio is, for the people, by the people and of the people. It is a two way process that empowers people to identify their's problems and finds solution. Community Radio enables the most vulnerable to participate is decisions for positive change in their lives. In real sense Community Radio is truly a medium for grassroots communication. Community Radio strengthens the democratic system and sends this voice of the masses across millions of people. Community Radio is the most significant tool for participatory and democratic communication.