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INTERADIO SEEKS WRITERS ON "CULTURAL DIVERSITY"

TO: All supporters of the democratization of communications

FROM: Editor, InteRadio

My name is Elvira Truglia and I am the Editor of InteRadio, the bi-annual
magazine of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC).
The next issue will focus on "cultural diversity". I am soliciting thought
provoking articles (650 words) on the issues described below.  The deadline
for submissions is October 13, 1997 but if you are interested in writing
(or know of someone who may be interested), please contact me right away.
You can write in English, French or Spanish as the magazine is published in
all three languages. For more information, contact me at the address listed
at the bottom of the page.  I look forward to hearing from you.

INTERADIO, Volume 9, Number 2, 1997

THEME: Cultural Diversity
        The premise for supporting cultural diversity is the affirmation of a
pluralist society where everyone has the right to express their differences
while maintaining access to economic and social equality.  While
multicultural societies have existed throughout history, pressure for
recognition of culturally diverse groups is on the rise along with the
anxiety from the effects of globalization. In so-called democratic states,
the liberal rhetoric of "equality" has often been a way to maintain the
status quo; the resulting class inequality, often based on ethnic and
racial lines, catalyzed the civil sphere to lobby for cultural diversity,
specifically, for the representation of minorities in all spheres of life -
political, economic, social. Cultural policies such as communications
policies are critical in the quest for representation. It is through
communication that we can express our differences and enter into dialogue
with others.
        Cultural diversity is clearly linked to the issue of human rights, such
 as
the right to liberty and equality. British activist Stuart Hall believes
that civil society should lobby the State to formally enshrine "substantive
rights" (rights that provide the means to equality) in constitutions; for
example, the "right to communicate".  Historically, radio, community radio
in particular, has been touted as one of the most democratic communications
mediums, providing access to the largest spectrum of the population in its
quest to promote social change. Legislative and other barriers have not
always enabled community radio stations to put theory into practice. Now is
the time to put our stations to the test. What are we actively doing to
promote cultural diversity? As importantly, what are our organizations that
support community radio and the democratization of communications doing to
promote cultural diversity?

I AM LOOKING FOR ARTICLES THAT DEAL WITH THE FOLLOWING TOPICS (AND/OR YOUR
SUGGESTIONS):

SECTION:
A) DEBATE??
(i) What is  "alternative" media?

(B) GLOBAL
(i) -Ethnic Minorities in the Media/Cultural Equity
(ii) - New Information and Communications Technologies (NICT's) -
Communication for Development/Can NICT's Promote Cultural Diversity?
(iii) -Intellectual Property Rights & Media Literacy - How does copyright
legislation hinder or encourage cultural diversity?

(C) REGIONAL

I am looking for case studies, analysis, features, etc. relating to the six
regions of the world: Africa, Asia, Oceania, North America, Latin America &
the Caribbean, Europe

Regional Focus: Indigenous Radio

Some community radio issues related to cultural diversity:
Which "community" in community radio is served - the dominant or minority?
What about the question of  community radio in different contexts;
multi/cultural specific programming; employment and gender equity issues;
what languages are broadcast - the official languages or the pluralist
approach - does legislation allow the latter? If yes, how are specific
groups selected for broadcast, how much time is allotted to each? What
about new immigrants, do they have a voice? In regions where there is still
a monopoly on the airwaves (or very restrictive access), what creative ways
are being used to promote cultural diversity through communications? etc.

(D) International News (relating to community radio or communications in
general)
(E) Publications (ditto)
(F) Calendar (on interesting upcoming events relevant to progressive
communications)



Elvira Truglia
Tel/Fax: (514) 270-6965
E-mail: elv@alcor.concordia.ca