The Role of Community Radio in Promoting Community Participation in Local Governance in Rwanda:A Case study of PAXPRESS Community debates.

ABSTRACT: The study investigated the community radio as a tool that promotes community participation inlocal governance. Multi-stage random sampling method and purposive method was adopted. Data collectionwas undertaken using questionnaire and interviews. The datawascollected in three Sectors (Muzo, Kivuruga andGakenke) of Gakenke District in Northern Province of Rwanda. Overall research results indicated that 93% ofrespondents (citizens, local authorities, and journalists) agreed that PAXPRESScommunity radio debatesenhance the knowledge and awareness of the citizens. For the role played by PAXPRESS community radio inpromoting dialogue on community issues and needs, the overall research results indicated that 20% ofrespondents strongly agreed and 74% of respondents agree that PAXPRESS community radio promotesdialogue on community issues and needs as well as educating on household decisions making. On thecontribution of PAXPRESS community radio in improving the relationship between citizens and authorities, ingeneral, 70% of respondents believe that the relationship has improvedand 18% believe that it has changed alittle while 10% believe that maybe it exists while 2% do not agree. The good practices and lessons learned forthe promotion of community participation in local governance through PAXPRESS community radio include (i)Paxpress debates engage community and authorities in these debates; (ii) Paxpress debates provide dialogue forthe community with disabilities; (iii) Paxpress debates allow rural community to interact with authorities andjournalists; and (iv) Paxpress debates enhance the knowledge of the citizens on their rights, household decisionmaking and government policies. Challenges outlined by the research include: difficult to convince citizen totalk through radio; difficulty to convince local authorities who seem not informed about the laws of access toinformation and freedom of expression; Misinterpretation of some authorities face the media’s role or mission;(v) Financial limitations. The research recommends: (i) to make a follow up after debate; (ii) allocating enoughtime to the debates; (iii)managing citizens‟ emotions; (iv)toinform people on the topic to be discussed before,and give enough time to authorities to explain their concerns instead of challenging them only; (v) emphasize onthe debates that strengthen the relationship between the community and authorities. If well done, this would bean utmost achievement for the government.