Communicating Health and Education through Community Radio: An Exploration of Practices and Challenges

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a vision for transforming the earth into a sustainable habitat. Achieving these goals requires effective dissemination and implementation strategies. To transform the socio-economic status of a community, it is essential to start at the ground level and take step-by-step actions for overall development. Community radio is a hyper-local medium that engages with specific communities, making it a valuable tool for information and communication. Due to its localized nature, community radio can effectively communicate the Sustainable Development Goals at a regional level.

To facilitate the better dissemination of these SDGs, UNESCO and CEMCA have developed a 'Toolkit' designed to assist with the planning and execution of initiatives through community radio. This article focuses on the communication of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3-health and well-being, and SDG 4- equal and inclusive education—through the medium of community radio. While examining execution practices, it analyzes the challenges and limitations community radio faces in the public domain.The research is set in Uttarakhand, a state located at the foothills of the Himalayas, and centres on the community radios Mandakini Ki Awaz (90.8 MHz) and Henvalvani (90.4 MHz).

The methodology employed in this study includes semi-structured interviews with the director, content creators, program producers, and field reporters working for these community radios. Additionally, participant observation is utilised to gain a deeper understanding of the core operations within the community. The study is framed theoretically by Paulo Freire’s dialogical pedagogy and participatory approach.

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