Participatory Radio

Participatory radio is a new phenomenon in Nepal as
well as whole of South Asia. The movement for citizen
participation in communication process that started
in Nepal has spread in other South Asian countries.
For those academicians, media professionals, or
community media activists interested in participatory
media in Nepal, Participatory Radio is the perfect
way to understand how a radio station can be a
platform for public participation in communication
process that blurs the boundaries between senders and
receivers.
This book not only explores community radio in Nepal
but also explores the conditions that lead to the
opening of airwaves from the non-governmental
sectors. Nepal became the first country in South Asia
to grant a license to operate a FM radio station from
independent organization in 1997. Following years
Nepal witnessed mushrooming of myriad radio stations,
including the community radio, throughout the
country. Operated by non-governmental organizations,
cooperatives and local governments, these community
radio stations revolutionized the media landscape
making the fellow villagers not only the listeners
but also the news makers.
In this book, Arjun Banjade describes how the
community radio station secures the area people's
active involvement in the communication process as
well as in generating much needed resources. This
example demonstrates the democratization of
communication and its use in empowering the
marginalized sections of population.