This document discusses the benefits of community media over traditional media. Community media is owned and operated by the community, promotes freedom of speech and democratic values, and involves the community. It lists some common community media formats like community newspapers, radio, and notice boards. It then asks if community media has worked in Sri Lanka, noting there have been some successful examples. It outlines the approaches taken in some projects, including working with local leaders, allowing communities to share their indigenous knowledge, and providing a space to communicate with officials. It also discusses challenges in ensuring sustainability and dealing with threats from traditional leadership structures.

1. WHY WE SHOULD OPT FOR
COMMUNITY MEDIA?

2. What is the difference between
community media & traditional
media?
Traditional media are owned by
state or corporate, driven by profit,
have their own agendas

3. Community media?
Promotes the right to communication, facilitates
freedom of speech, involves and is owned by
community, encourage creative and diverse
statements and contribute to a democratic
process & pluralistic society

4. What are community
media formats?
Community newspapers
Community radio
Notice boards
Mobile news alerts

5. Do we have community media in
Sri Lanka?
What is wrong with the existing
traditional mainstream media?

6. Have community media worked in
Sri Lanka?
We have a few success stories…

8. Approaches?
Selected a project location
Worked with village leaders/elders
Instead of sharing our knowledge we allowed them to
share their indigenous knowledge
Provided space to exchange views with officials
Spoke the same language
Entertainment & education

9. What worked and what didn’t?
Selected a project location
Worked with village leaders/elders
Instead of sharing our knowledge we allowed them to
share their indigenous knowledge
Provided space to exchange views with officials
Spoke the same language
Entertainment & education

10. Challenges we had to overcome?
Ensuring sustainability
Traditional leadership which posed
a threat

11. THANK YOU