October 5 - 5:15 pm : Our special guests are George; Cyril; Ben; Priscilla, and Roy.

Reaching Out for Network 18:

Network 18 is scheduled on Friday, October 5, at 5:15 pm NL time. The internet radio website
is www.ruralcommunities.net

We plan to prepare a program based on recordings, phone and Skype calls.

To participate by phone (or ask questions or make written comments) contact mallary_m@hotmail.com
To become a Skype participant request contact from Skype name ryakuga
We would like to hear reports from ongoing community media initiatives and/or have a chat
about anything dealing with community media.

Network 18 is the unfunded and virtual annual unconference of NL community media volunteers
(founded at the Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital in 2011).

Over the years we have added volunteers from internet radio and community television;
for 2018 we are also reaching out to community newsletters.

For the past two years the main supporter of community radio has been Municipalities Newfoundland
and Labrador which is promoting the medium among its members.

The theme (non exclusive) this year is Community Media = Civic Participation.
And perhaps we should add a question mark or even refer to the potential of the equation.

A common theme we have heard from municipal leaders is concern over the closure of local radio stations
(replaced with repeaters) and the closure of community newspapers (replaced with regional advertisers).

However, the sale of NL radio stations to Scorpion and Saltwire's acquisition of NL community
newspapers is part of the globalization effect on local autonomy.

So the New Jersey government recently announced a $5 million Civic Information Consortium
(partnering with colleges and universities).

Quoting the Guardian story:

He said: "And it's not just about saving journalism, it's about supporting the civic health
of our communities. Study after study has shown what happens when local news is deficient
or disappears altogether. Civic participation drops. Fewer people run for public office,
fewer people volunteer."

Rispoli went on: "It is absolutely necessary in our view that something is done to help
and help ensure that communities have the news information that they need,
so that they can participate in democracy and be civically engaged."

Actually a demonstration of what Rispoli is talking about happened on the Burin Peninsula
in the 80s. Before the municipal elections, Roger Carter from Extension and Clyde Lush
from MUN Ed Tech facilitated a marathon of about 20 community television broadcasts
designed to increase civic participation.

It was very successful (stay tuned for the addition of Roger's report to this page).

Click here to read Mallary McGrath's 25 Reasons to Support Community Media.

"Community radio has proved to be one of the best media of communication and agenda setting
at the grass-root level."

(UNESCO, Good Governance, 2005)