NOMONDE MNUKWA: Community media an indispensable instrument for women empowerment

Prior to 1994, the voices of marginalised communities, particularly those of women and individuals at a grassroots level, were stifled.

After 1994, all spheres of society transformed and one of our greatest achievements was reached - all citizens became free to make their voices heard and to contribute meaningfully to democracy through various avenues.

One avenue that has grown since 1994 enabling the participation of ordinary citizens is community media, which includes local newspapers, community television and radio stations. Echoing the voices of citizens in the communities they serve, local media plays an integral role in facilitating freedom of expression.

Thirty years into our democratic dispensation, community media continues to foster a sense of belonging, inclusivity and active involvement among community members, an essential component for social cohesion and nation-building.

Access to information is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy, holding the power to transform lives. Community media goes a step further, allowing information to be reached even in deep rural hinterland – residents who usually struggle to access information, services and resources.

By allowing communities to share their views through indigenous languages, it facilitates engagement and ultimately advances the national dialogue.

Community media has provided an accessible space from a trusted source for all voices to be heard, empowering women, the youth and other groups previously excluded from political discussions and decisions to voice their concerns on issues affecting them.

And empowering citizens with knowledge allows them to hold government accountable to its commitments, in a bid to improve the lives of people at both social and economic levels, and raise alternative views.

And so, participation and access are the main fundamentals of community media, and women in particular continue to play a significant role in growing the community media sector.

Having been historically denied access to participate in the economy of community media, women have made noteworthy contributions aimed at developing the community media sector through valuable inputs from industry experts, small-scale media owners, journalists, editors, news anchors and presenters.

Community media builds our democracy and nation’s economy through numerous opportunities for rural women and economic development, including acquiring new skills such as writing for the media.

The role of women in community media was highlighted during the panel discussion held recently, “30 Years of Women Excellence in the Community Media Sector”, which coincided with the celebration of Women’s Month and 30 years of freedom and democracy.

The discussion was aimed at advancing issues affecting women in media and community media, acknowledging how women have overcome barriers in the sector, and reaffirming the importance of community media as a developmental vehicle that drives our democracy forward.

Considering that community media is the heartbeat of smaller communities, we must work towards capacitating this sector with the necessary resources it requires to continue to fulfil its mandate. Information and Communication Technological (ICT) devices that enable connectivity for community radio stations are essential, as are ongoing developments to keep abreast with industry changes brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

The establishment of organisations such as the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), with the vision of promoting freedom of expression and nation-building has also helped boost the community media sector with funding across the board.

We call on society to continue uplifting the important role of community media, so that the plurality of voices, support for community empowerment endeavours, the dissemination of developmental information continues.