In many parts of the world, community media are a rapidly growing phenomenon. Debates rage about who exactly are entitled to call themselves community media. Usually, the definition includes something about being produced by the community, for the community. In other words, it is not just enough for it to be aimed at a small local area; it should be produced with the involvement of that community.

But then, what is a community? Traditionally it has been assumed to refer to a geographical community. But in South Africa, for example, with one of the widest networks of community radio in the world, the term is also used to refer to a community of interest, especially among disadvantaged sectors of society. Thus there might be a "women's community", a "gay community" or a "community of people with disabilities". There may also be community media aimed at people of a certain religious faith. [1]

The media themselves will also vary. Community newspapers have a long history, but the last 20 years have seen the emergence of lower cost broadcasting technologies, accompanied by a liberalization of licensing regimes. This has facilitated the emergence in some countries of a vibrant community radio sector (and to a lesser extent television).

In some countries, national public broadcasters will also play a community role, carrying material produced by (or aimed at) particular local communities, or communities of interest.

The significance of this for elections is immediately apparent. Community media, almost by definition, have a small but highly loyal audience. For purposes of voter education, community media will be very important, especially since they can reach sections of society that may be bypassed by more traditional media.

The terms of community broadcasting licences often prohibit explicit political campaigning. It will be particularly important for a regulatory authority to monitor compliance with the terms of a licence during election periods.

[1] Richard Carver, South Africa, in Richard Carver and Ann Naughton (eds) Who Rules the Airwaves? Broadcasting in Africa, ARTICLE 19 and Index on Censorship, London 1995, p. 93. See also http://www.amarc.org (World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters).