Few would dispute that community radio stations play a valuable role in informing people about events in their neighbourhood — and give a voice to those who might be denied a platform by larger media organisations. It’s a shame, then, that governments often hamper the development of community radio.
“The largest obstacle for this sector is the lack of an enabling environment to ensure expansion of community radio, due to insufficient legislation surrounding the industry,” said Steve Buckley, president of the World Association of Community Broadcasters (Amarc).
“I think the reason is because in a number of countries, governments are afraid that they may lose power by allowing communities to have access to airwaves.”
Buckley was speaking at a conference held last week in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. Representatives from more than 100 community broadcasters from across Africa were present at the April 18 to 23 meeting, organised by Amarc, to draw up a plan of action aimed at getting authorities in Africa to give community radio the recognition it deserves.
According to Amarc, the number of privately owned radio stations in sub-Saharan Africa, most of them community broadcasters, has grown from 10 to more than 800 in the past 20 years. About 80% of people living in rural areas and in the vicinity of towns have access to such stations.
Community stations frequently broadcast in local languages, addressing issues related to human rights and governance. Authorities who fear this coverage may cause citizens to become critical of the government have responded by imposing high licensing fees that community broadcasters — typically non-profit organisations — cannot afford.
“When you give information on sensitive matters such as governance and then allow communities to air views on the same, you are democratising information to the anger of the government,” said Grace Githaiga, coordinator of the Kenya Community Media Network (KComnet).
“The government fears being challenged by an informed audience, and that is the reason why requirements for licensing radio stations may apply for both commercial and community radios, despite the latter being a non-profit-making outfit,” she added. KComnet lobbies for policies to promote the development of community media.
In Kenya, Githaiga noted, the yearly licensing fee for all stations is currently a steep $1 733 (about R10 400).
“This is too high for a community radio station whose sole purpose is to serve as a platform for mobilising communities to facilitate their own development. As a result, the high fee has locked out many prospective community radios,” she observed.
Community radio activists in the East African country have demanded that legislation in Kenya acknowledge the fact that commercial and community stations operate under different constraints. They have also called on the government to give tax rebates to community stations for the equipment they use.
At present, Kenya has only one community radio station, Mang’elete, which began operating in the east of the country after a decade of intense lobbying. Two other stations are reportedly awaiting licensing.
In comparison, neighbouring Uganda has made considerable strides with its community radio sector. Eight stations have been licensed during in the country over the past 10 years, according to Jimmy Okello, manager for Radio Apac, a station operating in war-torn northern Uganda.
Nonetheless, he believes there is room for improvement.
“There is no legislation yet to govern the sector…A policy is yet to be adopted by government that fully recognises community radio as a broadcasting industry. With this, more stations are likely to come up,” Okello said in an interview.
Radio Apac promotes peace in northern Uganda, where the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army took up arms under the leadership of Joseph Kony in 1986.
“Since we are operating in an area of rebel activity, we are telling people that rebellion hurts — and appealing to the young men who have joined to abandon the practice. We are spreading messages of conflict resolution, and as a result a number of them have laid down their arms,” said Okello.
Other African countries that have made progress in developing community radio include South Africa, Mali, Senegal and Mozambique. South Africa currently has 100 such stations, while Mali, Senegal and Mozambique have 150, 36 and 25 respectively.
Amarc attributes this to the willingness of governments in these countries to help stations obtain broadcasting equipment — and to lower licence-application costs.
But in the long term, community stations need more than low licence fees and tax breaks to survive — and thrive.
“Freedom of expression must be observed. Freedom to send and receive information underpins all other human rights. This is what gauges the means by which all other rights are defended and extended,” Kilemi Mwriria, Kenya’s Assistant Education Minister, told the Amarc meeting.
The minister’s sentiments do not appear to have made themselves felt outside conference venue, however.
Earlier this month, Reuben Ndolo, an MP, was arrested after singing a song at a political rally in which he accused First Lady Lucy Kibaki of being the power behind the throne in Kenya — and President Mwai Kibaki of being lazy. The incident has sparked an outcry over the lack of safeguards to protect free speech in the country. — IPS