From November 11-13, The Scope worked closely with CHHA 1610 AM Radio Voces Latinas and the National Community Radio Association (NCRA) to present The Voice of Alternative Media Conference. Our goal was to inform programmers and stations about community media best practises, to discuss the value of community media in our neighbourhoods and beyond, and inspire participants to engage with their communities on a deeper level.
We’d like to thank all our brilliant and generous keynote speakers:
Executive director of the NCRA, Shelley Robinson has experienced firsthand the importance of community radio in giving a voice to marginalized members of society, through her experiences at Radio Salus in Rwanda, and working at the women-operated station Radio Rabia Balkhi in Afghanistan. Shelley also shared her knowledge of the more practical aspects of being a programmer, in her session on CRTC Regulations for community stations.
The Scope is also grateful to RTA professor Lori Beckstead, who spoke about her experience helping build community radio station with Ryerson students in Ghana, and what community radio means to people living in isolated or impoverished parts of the world.
Lastly, a huge thank you to author and radio producer José Ignacio López Vigil, who spoke on the inspiring work of community radio stations and citizen journalists in Latin America.
Special thanks to all our volunteers and members of the community who brought so much enthusiasm and vigor to the conference sessions. Be sure to check out our photos from the conference.
