Identity and Cultural Diversity Session

Sarah McNeill presented a speech at the Fourth World Summit on Media for Children and Adolescents (WSMCA) which addressed globalized media in respect to identity and cultural diversity and the specific theme of radio and voices of youth. Her
presentation focused on the "Radio Manifesto" a document produced by the World Radio Forum group.

McNeill's speech first looked at trends in radio from the perspective of both speakers and listeners. Changes in broadband technologies have led to the disappearance of radio for children because of the belief that "children don't listen to radio." Ms. McNeill points out that "terrestrial radio is still the mass media in many countries" but "the trend towards convergence prompted an end of radio for children as we had come to know it."

McNeill mentions that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child created a sense of responsibility from broadcasters at the end of the 1990's. At this time, "youth were to have rights in respect to freedom of expression as well as access to the media of
their choice to make their views and voices heard."

Sarah McNeill refers to how identity and cultural diversity are conveyed through radio and the importance of radio broadcasting, local, national and international. As she states, "neighbourhood or 'grassroots' stations celebrate and preserve the multiplicity of languages that form part of our children's cultural inheritance. A mother tongue language is part of a young person's sense of identity and individuality." Further, "local voices discussing community issues on a neighbourhood radio station reflect and strengthen the whole community's sense of group identity."

From a historic perspective, McNeill points out that during the 1990's the "quality children's and youth radio programming by the major national broadcasters was phased out while at the same time, awareness of the potential of radio to put into action a
whole range of children´s human rights - increased. Not among the broadcasters but within the ranks of the NGOs. Gradually, a number of international and national NGOs started children´s & youth radio projects. And it has been in this area of activity that
most has happened in the past decade."

The World Radio Forum was set up, at the 3rd World Summit in 2001 to help youth radio groups establish a network. At that time, "the Bush Radio "Kidocracy Konfrence" in Cape Town, the young participants started working on the idea of a Radio Manifesto. Since then, youth radio broadcasters from other countries have joined and contributed their own ideas. Together they have made a document which both puts forward the expectations and perspectives of children and stimulates debate about the role of radio for children.

This document presented at this conference "sets standards for the provision of appropriate programming produced for, with and by
children and youth; sets out arguments for having their views and voices included in mainstream broadcasts; and argues their need for specially produced information, education and entertainment programmes."

McNeill notes, "Wherever I have worked with young people in this area of the media I am struck by their shared agenda. They all prioritise the same or very similar values. Peace, the family, relationships, the environment are all uppermost in their minds when
asked what is important in their lives. In this sense they seem to share a global youth identity and culture."

Radio projects face a number of challenges. The biggest challenge is finding funding for "children and media." There is a lack of knowledge about this issue among policy and decision maker. The trend at government levels is for radio bandwidth to be divided up by privatisation. At the same time commercial radio is increasing which implies that "public service radio is thereby diminished."

In respect to the Radio Manifesto, McNeill notes that adoption and ratification will be developed. Additionally, "radio broadcasters, associations and other media groups are all invited to support the Manifesto and find ways to put its call for action
into effect."

In McNeill's concluding remarks she notes that there are other significant outcomes when young people learn how to work in radio. "They also learn teamwork, timing, information gathering, and disciplines of accuracy and fairness as well as communication skills. But also, in taking an active role in this medium they become good at explaining to parents and friends how the radio "works". They
can demystify the magic and develop abilities of critical analysis and concentration. In a word they become media-active."