Community radio is radio made by and for a specific community — geographic, cultural, linguistic, or interest-based. It is distinct from commercial radio in that it does not primarily exist to make a profit, and distinct from public radio in that it serves a specific community rather than a national audience. It is also, arguably, radio at its most fundamental: local people with a microphone, talking to their neighbours.
What makes community radio different
Community radio stations typically operate on low power, covering a small area. They are usually non-profit, run by volunteers or a small paid staff, and funded by grants, community subscriptions, or small local advertising. Their programming reflects the specific needs and interests of their community: local news and events, programming in minority languages, content for specific cultural groups (the elderly, young people, immigrants), or specialist music formats that commercial radio will not serve.
Community radio in the UK
Ofcom licenses community radio stations in the UK under a specific community radio tier, separate from commercial and public broadcasting. There are over 300 licensed community stations, serving everything from specific ethnic communities (Awaaz FM for South Asian listeners in Manchester) to geographic communities (Baxter Radio in Sheffield) to interest communities (hospital radio serving patients). The community radio explained guide covers this in more depth.
Community radio in India and the developing world
Community radio in India (permitted from 2006 for educational institutions and civil society groups) serves rural communities with farming advice, health information, and programming in local dialects that national and commercial stations never cover. In sub-Saharan Africa, community radio is often the primary medium: it reaches people in areas where phone and internet infrastructure is unreliable, in languages that no other broadcaster serves. Its role in public health communication — HIV prevention, vaccination information, agricultural advice — is significant and measurable.
University and campus radio
University radio stations sit at the boundary between community and college radio. They serve the campus community but often reach into the surrounding town as well. Many professional broadcasters began their careers at campus stations, and university radio is where experimental formats and new music genres most often get their first airplay. For more on this, see our college radio guide.