Removing Barriers, Increasing Effectiveness - amarc

Chapter 4 Regional PerspectivesThis Chapter presents a synthesis of the debates and findings from Africa, LatinAmerican, Asia Pacific, European and North American perspectives on thedifferent activities held during the global evaluation process (roundtables,electronic forum, survey, exchanges at the AMARC 9 World Conference).African Perspectives 22In the African regional debates, there was strong consensus on the need to“optimise the limitless potential of Community Radio in expanding the geographyof the democratic space.”Some of the key specific elements raised was that Community Radio is for thepeople/by the community; It is differently run and managed, and differentlyregulated by different legislation in the various countries; CR should be expandedand allowed to grow – governments must create an enabling environment for thisimportant tool to strive; CR is about empowering communities by redistribution ofpower because “Participation is the engine of democracy and community radio isa tool for participation”Some of the specific challenges related to CR in the African context were alsoraised. They are related, first of all, to the difficulty of maintaining theindependence of CR political role from governments, political parties or religiousdenominations. There is also de issue of gaining respect for the role of CR forpromoting good governance and accountability. Specific challenges of CR aresimilar to other regions and they relate to ensure local ownership of Cr, contentdevelopment, issues of financial sustainability and challenges to ensure genderequity within CR.In the African context CR has proven its positive influence in poverty reductionand in facilitating sustainable development as well as good governance andaccountability. CR needs to be driven by the needs of the community it servesAs said bt Fr. Patrick Tor Alumuku’s book Community Radio for Developmentwhich says somewhere that, “freedom of expression is significant becausehuman life depends on communication, and to be fully human, people mustcommunicate.” We all work towards the development of community radio in ourvarious countries and all through the world.Asia Pacific Perspectives 23The main challenges for CR in the Asia Pacific region are, first of all the lack ofappropriate CR legislation accompanied by constant oppression of media,22The African Roundtable notes were compiled by Doris Dery, Women’s representative, Westand Central Africa. Resume of Electronic Forum by Grace Githaiga, President AMARC Africa.23These are exerts from the notes from the Asia Pacific roundtable taken by Suman Basnet,AMARC AP CoordinatorAMARC Community Radio Social Impact Assessment 2007 Page 26 of 128