A medium for advocacy and culture
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94% of Guatemalan households own a radio, making radio the most pervasive source of information and communication. Community radios - focusing on raising literacy and disseminating information for indigenous people - have been around since 1966, during the Civil War. The Guatemalan Federation of Radio Schools (FGER) started by improving literacy skills and evangelizing indigenous people, but has over time reduced religious content and increased its focus on indigenous peoples’ issues such as land rights, environment, human rights, governance and cultural preservation.
The content is broadcast in both Spanish and the local Mayan languages, ensuring that indigenous people - making up anywhere between 40%-60% of the population - have access to information and a forum for discussion. However, Guatemalan regulations do not acknowledge community radios as having a legal basis for existence. In other words, community radios cannot operate legally.
The 1996 Peace Agreement signed to mark the end of the Civil War guarantees indigenous people the right to own their own media. Because of poor telecommunication infrastructure, state regulations and private monopoly over radio frequencies, indigenous people are unable to buy licenses to operate. Guatemala permits only those who can buy bandwidth at auctions for around $28,000 to obtain licenses. In contrast, indigenous workers earn $80-$120 a month.
Most community radio stations operate illegally. When their operators are caught, they are punished and their stations are taken off air. The abundance of foreign-origin or pro-government content catering to the urban ladino population means that indigenous issues and voices do not get amplified. Community radio in Guatemala can raise awareness of indigenous issues and drive conversations for change and inclusivity when operated by indigenous people themselves.
It can also be a powerful tool for communicating with more than 40% of the Guatemalan population, supporting their efforts to preserve their cultural and traditions, and raising literacy and education levels. Thus, investment in and support of community radios can directly and indirectly help indigenous people achieve political representation, economic growth and cultural preservation.
