Participation of Indigenous Peoples in Mass Media: A Case Study of FM Radios in Kavrepalanchowk, Nepal

Abstract

This thesis entitled “Participation of Indigenous Peoples in Mass Media” is a case study of indigenous peoples’ participation in FM radios in Kavrepalanchowk district of Nepal. The study intends to highlight the participatory pattern and impact of indigenous peoples in FM radios, the most popular modern means of mass media.

The research is based on the fieldwork carried out in Kavrepalanchowk district of Nepal attempting to assess the access of indigenous peoples in mass media and to compare indigenous and non- indigenous participation in FM radios in mid–hill region of Nepal. The research further tends to highlight the career status and opportunity for indigenous peoples in media sector. This study has been conducted with certain methodological process. Data collected from the fieldwork by using survey, interview, observation and discussion methods have been presented and analyzed accordingly to sum up with the findings.

Mass media can play a crucial role for indigenous peoples to keep them within their own cultural identity. Media can be a source of information and knowledge of indigenousness for indigenous peoples from generation to generation. It is possible only if representatives from indigenous communities are emphasized to participate in media. Secondly, the media professionals from indigenous communities should not be influenced by majority mechanisms. Hence, indigenous participation and their executive power in media are vital for empowerment.

There is a universal quotation- ‘voices are heard when they are spoken’. Indigenous peoples should speak themselves to make their voices to hear. Basically, community FM radios have common purpose of inclusive participation to bring the ‘voice of the voiceless’ on air. So, my research has focused on evaluating the implementation of cited goals of those community FM radios in a district (Kavrepalanchowk) of Nepal.