Embargo Period
5-3-2022
Degree Name
MA in Sustainable Development
First Advisor
Dr. Victor Tricot
Abstract
Community radio is a community-led broadcasting service that serves as a tool for development for communities around the world. This research study explores the development benefits of community radio in the United States using a case study of Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-licensed FM community radio stations to evaluate the role of community radio in communication and information sharing and promoting sustainable social change and development. To fulfill the objectives of the case study, data was collected from 55 community radio stations in the United States using mixed-questionnaire digital surveys and supplementary virtual interviews. Findings indicated that community radio stations in the United States serve as a communication and information-sharing resource to aid communities in overcoming challenges arising from the digital divide. The findings also demonstrated that community radio provides direct development benefits to communities such as aiding in grassroots initiatives, community building, empowering community members, and promoting diversity and inclusion, among others. If provided proper support to overcome barriers and ensure the sustainability of the field, community radio could prove a valuable tool for communities to achieve sustainable social change and development.
Keywords: community radio, community development, digital divide, development benefits, sustainability
Disciplines
Development Studies | Radio | Sustainability
Recommended Citation
Hermansky, Jillian, "Impact of Community Radio on Community Development in the United States" (2022). Capstone Collection. 3248.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/capstones/3248