Supporting the Democratic Voice through Community Media Centres in South Asia

Tacchi, Jo A. (2005) Supporting the Democratic Voice through Community Media Centres in South Asia. 3CMedia: Journal of Community, Citizen's and Third Sector Media and Communication(1). pp. 25-36.

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Abstract

This paper considers the potential of community based information and communication technology (ICT) centres to support and promote the democratic voice. It does so through presenting comparative research findings from eight ICT centres in South Asia. The research uses a methodology that combines ethnographic approaches with action research. Here I look at the notion of 'democratic voice' in a loosely defined sense, referring to the ability of 'ordinary' people to access media and other information and communication technologies, and to create their own local content. As such it describes to some extent the processes of 'metamorphosis' involved in 'citizen’s media' participants becoming, through these activities, 'active citizens' (Rodriguez 2004). At a point in time when alternative media studies are recognising a new relevance and development communication research facing a crisis in direction, this paper considers research findings emerging from and utilised in community based ICT initiatives across South Asia. Looking at the research in a comparative framework, lessons can be learned about the relevance of community media for supporting democratic voice, and the processes that are most likely to achieve this.

ID Code:	4496
Item Type:	Journal Article
Additional Information:	The contents of this journal can be freely accessed online via the journal's web page – see link.
Additional URLs:	http://www.cbonline.org.au/3cmedia/
Keywords:	voice, community multimedia centres, south asia, media, ethnographic action research, ICTs
ISSN:	1832-6161
Subjects:	Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification > LANGUAGES COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE (200000) > COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES (200100) > Communication and Media Studies not elsewhere classified (200199)
Divisions:	QUT Faculties and Divisions > Creative Industries Faculty
Copyright Owner:	Copyright 2005 Jo A. Tacchi
Deposited On:	19 Jun 2006
Last Modified:	01 Apr 2009 01:52

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