21st Century Philippine Hybrid Community Radio: The Case Of Radyo Kailian

Abstract

Using case study as an approach, this work analyzed in-depth the hybridity of Radyo Kailian, a community radio station in llocos Sur, Philippines. Findings reveal that Radyo Kailian has a well-defined organizational set up which addresses the crucial interrelationships that influence the behaviour of its members. This hybrid CRS has a leader who nourishes the culture and climate within the organization through building of executive support. However, the realization of the vision for Radyo Kailian is not only the work of its top level management rather it is achieved through unitary cognizance, teamwork, and collaboration among the station personnel and community radio council officers and members. To further understand Radyo Kailian, the management require seeing the whole system through initiating research works and regular evaluations which lead them to carefully analyze existing knowledge, data, and context. The broadcasting platform of Radyo Kailian as a hybrid CRS has become more powerful in terms of building larger communities enhancing its production and improving community members' engagement and participation yet it has maintained its traditional programming and is able to preserve its program contents tailored fit to the needs of its target glocal community. As a hybrid CRS, Radyo Kailian has blended with the Internet transforming the medium into an audio-visual platform. The visual online exposure enhances the broadcasters' positive perception about themselves and the agencies they respectively represent. While the community radio has become an audio-visual platform, what differentiates it from other typical audio-visual media is the immediacy of feedback from both the broadcasters and the listeners as well. Moreover, the emancipation in the blended platform paves the way for these broadcasters to encompass the freedom to tackle topics of any kind regardless of gender specificity without experiencing social stigma. Broadcasters in the hybrid CRS particularly the male ones are not only limited to discuss masculine-related topics when they broadcast on air and online. However, the privileges they enjoy also bring consequences. Broadcasters bear with them greater responsibility not only to themselves but also to their on air and online listeners/viewers. Taking the responsibility of securing the enormous quantity of information present in the platform and being able to filter this information and identify what is genuine and valuable for their listeners/viewers are vital survival skills of broadcasters in the hybrid CRS. Furthermore, the visibility in the online environment also threatens their privacy and security. Hence, they self-regulate and manualy filter the influx of information. The liquidity of information in the world wide web and the absence of concrete laws to protect them remain potential threats to the optimal use of the online platform in Radyo Kailian.