Removing Barriers, Increasing Effectiveness - amarc

monitoring and research process was oriented by the following principles: Toincrease effectiveness of CR in achieving Millennium Development Goals;Recognize voicelessness and powerlessness as key dimensions of poverty;Address the contribution of CR to accountability, equity and civil rights; Ensurethe full and effective participation of women; Be participatory and inclusive ofmarginalized groups; Explore weaknesses and threats as well as strengths andopportunities. What follows is a synthesis of the key findings in the themes.The lack of proper enabling legislation is the single principal barrier to CR socialimpact. The absence of a friendly legislation; the existence of media oppressionand military threats are a generalized barrier to the development of communityradio. On varying degrees, these factors hinder CR capacity to develop itspositive impact in giving voice to the marginalized, in developing inclusive anddemocratic societies where governments are accountable and people areempowered to achieve development objectives. Likewise, the absence ofappropriate legislation recognizing the social contribution of CR creates financialsustainability challenges that hinder the possibility for scaling up good models ofsustainable CR. In spite of this hindering factors CR development is deeplyrooted in local communities worldwide increasing the importance of socialsustainability as the key aspect of good models of CR.Community Radio is a new worldwide tier of radio broadcasting. Community radiois a distinct media sector and a vital alternative to state owned public broadcasterand commercial private media. Communities have sought in community radio ameans to express their own issues, concerns, cultures and languages. Theexpansion of CR is the result of the reduction of diversity of voices thataccompany the formation of media conglomerates that accompanies theglobalization processes.Community Radio is a new media that properly mixes old and new ICTs. Therapid development of CR worldwide that accompanies the expansion of new ICTsshows the existence of a positive link between ICT & CR. Community Radiosproperly highlight that the key communication processes underlying theinformation society are related to communication rights of people. CR shows thebenefits in mixing old and new technologies with CR. With appropriate capacitybuilding CR are able to circumvent restrictive media legislation thusstrengthening the CR movement. It also shows that the key element in theinformation society is that beyond technology the key element is peoplecommunicating.Community Radio Sustainability is a global challenge. In spite of increasingpositive experiences of socially sustainable CR, financial and technologicalsustainability remain a challenge that often distract CR practitioners fromdedicating themselves to ameliorate radio production, increase communityparticipation and pertinence of programming. Community radio faces importantsustainability challenges regarding capacity building, and in enhancing localAMARC Community Radio Social Impact Assessment 2007 Page 7 of 128