We give the voice…but what of the opinion???

Creating change is possibly the easiest task one can be assigned. Change is a constant process and one really has to do nothing to create it. The only thing that one can do is to intervene and catalyze the process. This catalysis can be to slow down a rapid movement towards what is considered to be socially detrimental to a section of the society or a part of it. Intervention can also be based to initiate or speed up processes that could prove to be positive for the society. The problem of choice in the negotiation between what way to chose, and where to intervene is a question that has boggled the minds of various sociologists, philosophers, economists, policy makers, oranthologists, micro-creditologists, etc. etc. etc.

A major component during the creation of a sustainable Community owned Media is that of screening the content it generates back to the community. While this is not at all difficult to execute and costs less than Rs. 5 per person, if implemented for large numbers, the second level of challenge is to create sustained interest. What is it that a community should make? Is Community Media directly associated with Activism? Or is it to cater to the softer needs of the community? Can it be politically incorrect?

It is the content that defines whether the community owns the alternate media or not. There are lobbies, especially in cases where Video or Radio has been used by NGO’s who believe that the work that they do is representative of the community. But do NGO’s understand the concept of objectivity? Are they void of any kind of favoritism? Is their perspective the real perspective of the community or is it seen from an idealist point of view?
Unfortunately, most marginalized communities are neither educated nor have the ability to articulate beyond their immediate discontent or disillusionment of the existing structure. They have never voiced an opinion. No one has ever asked for it. With Community Media, there is an apparent fear that in absence of an informed opinion would the communities become mouthpieces of private social enterprises. Thus, the implementation of an editorial process in Community Media is essential. Representation and mobilization of the community to participate in the development of this voice is the backbone of any community media. The Community Media practitioners should remember that it is not what they think is right is important. Instead, it is necessary that the formation of the alternate media process develop a common social consciousness that is articulated via the creation