In Their Own Image: Community Broadcasting Initiatives and Economic Development in Southwestern Newfoundland

Emke, Ivan (1998) In Their Own Image: Community Broadcasting Initiatives and Economic Development in Southwestern Newfoundland. In: Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association Annual Meeting, June 1998, Ottawa, ON. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

This research examines various applications of a model of community economic development which includes a central role for the use of communications technologies (film, video, cable television, etc.). The paper begins by arguing that we need to include culture and communications in our definitions of "community economic development." It then analyzes a number of projects which have tested this model of development over the past 30 years. These include the "Fogo Process," the work of Memorial University of Newfoundland's Extension Service, the Communication for Survival Initiative, and the development of community-owned cable television systems which produce some of their own programming. The paper then offers an analysis of a cross-section of community-based programs from southwestern Newfoundland and comments on some of the problems of local broadcasting in one-industry towns. The paper concludes by recognizing both (i) the value of the community-directed use of communications technologies in developing local consensus and confidence; and (ii) the continuing difficulties in measuring the success of such innovations.

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