Echoing the local voices: supporting local good governance through community radio in Indonesia

ABSTRACT

This article investigates the role of community radio in fostering good governance at the local level in the setting of Indonesia. Using the example of PASS FM Radio, this article demonstrates how community radio has fulfilled the purpose and function of media as a public sphere. As a community radio station, PASS FM has not only succeeded in breaking down communication barriers between citizens and the local administration, but it has also presented solutions for optimising local potential. PASS FM Radio has also succeeded in partnering with the government to jointly serve the public interest and support the ideals of good governance, with the main features of transparency and public participation.

KEYWORDS:

• Bacéprot Kuwu
• good governance
• community radio
• public sphere

Introduction

Since the late 1970s, community radio has been regarded as an alternative broadcasting media since it is administered by a specific group of people and serves to create opportunities for voiceless groups while also contributing to the strengthening of people’s communication rights (Malik & Pavarala, 2020). Furthermore, community radio is viewed as a valid sector within their respective mediascapes, to promote media democracy, social change, and freedom of expression.

In the Western context, community radio aims to meet the needs of groups with limited access to mass media for self-expression. Community radio becomes a tool for passive or active resistance in nations with autocratic or totalitarian governments (Malik & Pavarala, 2020). Meanwhile, Dagron claimed that in developing countries, ommunity radio is one of the finest methods to reach excluded or marginalised ommunities in focused, beneficial ways and that it is in providing them a ‘voice’ that matters most in development communication (in Malik & Pavarala, 2020, pp. 16–17).

It is crucial to emphasise, however, that the numerous opportunities and freedom of expression that are the goals of community radio frequently collide with the constraints of radio itself, making this the most fundamental concern for the role and existence of community radio. From a critical perspective, these various limitations are a form of the central government’s control efforts, which are carried out subtly by involving civil society and several NGOs, where they not only play a role in informing the public about their rights to express themselves as citizens but also potentially failed to recognise the public’s role as an active controller of social change.

In the Indonesian setting, community radio is one of the community media designated as Community Broadcasting Institutions (Lembaga Penyiaran Komunitas, LPK). LPK is characterised as broadcasting institutions in the form of Indonesian legal organisations founded by communities, independent and non-commercial, with modest transmit power and restricted reach, and established to serve the interests of their communities (Sjuchro, 2018).

In post-reform Indonesia, community radio was born out of the struggle of civil society groups who took advantage of the opening up of Indonesia’s socio-political conditions in the midst of reformation and democratisation. LPK was founded to identify opportunities in sociopolitical settings that are becoming more open and democratic as a result of Indonesian reform. The importance of LPK in Indonesia’s communication democratisation initiatives can be described in two ways. Firstly, it is a simple and low-cost technology. Secondly, community media is driven by community needs, administered by community members, and for community members with no outside intervention that includes ideologies, interests, or missions that are not necessarily driven by community conditions and needs (Rachmiatie, 2007, p. 79). In this situation, PASS FM Radio then developed and began to carry out its role as LPK which fully involved the public and bridged communication with local government officials.

Nonetheless, Malik and Pavarala (2020, p. 112) believe that these constraints and numerous rules can lead to the impression that community radio is a form of government extension. This is because several community radio stations carry out the government’s interest to ensure they are ‘good’ citizens through top-down and expert-driven communication, combined with the increasing the so-called NGOisation of community radio so that it becomes a kind of negotiation with the state’s interests.

However, community radio is not always affiliated with non-governmental organisations. This is demonstrated by Indonesia’s PASS FM Radio, which was truly born and rooted in the public. This community radio station is based in Katapang, a subdistrict in West Java’s South Bandung area. As an alternative broadcasting medium, community radio is rather more serious which is indicated by the presence of a series of broadcasting preparations. Another evidence of their seriousness is their efforts to involve various segments of the community in administering the radio. Some of these outstanding community radio programme also demonstrate their ability to preserve the public interest through a local approach. Although various shows demonstrate the engagement of local government, this radio station continues to serve as a medium for community participation.

The acronym PASS stands for Positive, Accommodative, Selective, and Swadaya (Indonesian: Self-subsistence). As a result, this radio station is expected to constantly be positive in its goals and implementation; to accommodate all parties, particularly listeners, in terms of recommendations, opinions, creations, and incentives, so that everyone can work and develop together. Furthermore, PASS Community Radio attempts to be precise in offering broadcast programming both on and off the air, so that each programme is actually on target (Tim, 2006). Finally, the PASS Community Radio was developed and founded with the self-sufficiency of the community, which originated from the community, was controlled by the community, and was for the community.

Community broadcasting institutions are fundamentally independent and solely organised for the benefit of their community. Furthermore, community broadcasting organisations are non-profit. Due to its non-commercial nature, it relies exclusively on membership fees, non-binding contributions, and genuine businesses, and may only accept Public Service Advertisements (PSAs). This characteristic will have a significant impact on the survival of community broadcasting institutions throughout Indonesia.

PASS FM Community Radio generally gives out a distinct impression. Despite the fact that their show was designed for the community, the crew created this radio station to serve as a platform for contact with the local government. Furthermore, the primary goal of establishing this radio station is to foster collaboration between local government and the people to build a civil society. These goals are reflected in some programs, both on and off the air. According to the Collins English Dictionary (2023), the term civil society refers to organisations within a society that work to promote the common good, usually taken to include state-run institutions, families, charities, and community groups. Generally speaking, the concept of civil society can be formed in a government system that is open, accountable, and participatory, which is commonly referred to as good governance.

According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), good governance is governing systems that are capable, responsive, inclusive, and transparent (Saito, 2021). In this regard, Rae (2021) described that one of the main characteristics of good governance is participation, namely the involvement of all citizens in decision making, both directly and through representative institutions. The participation of all levels of society is the most important element in helping to create a capable, responsive, inclusive and transparent government.

The significance of citizen’s participation in the implementation of good governance is essentially one of the manifestations of what Habermas refers to as emancipation, a crucial prerequisite for social transformation (Habermas, 1991). In this position the media has a very vital role and function, even the media has become a fourth estate in the State administration. According to John Vivian (2008), this term shows the independent role of the media in preaching to the government so that the media becomes a kind of watchdog on behalf of citizens. This indicates that mass media and government bureaucracy have an important relationship.

As a type of mass media, PASS FM Radio demonstrates the core functions of the media as a watchdog. This is evident from various programs broadcast on this station. The Bacéprot Kuwu program, which features local government contacts with its citizens, is one of the broadcasts that demonstrate this function. Collaboration between the government and community radio can eventually urge the community to be one of the supportive factors for efforts to attain good governance. The role of civil society in community radio demonstrates that community radio can transform local governance management.

As a result, this article will discuss the role of PASS FM Radio as a community radio that serves as a public sphere for the Katapang community to deliver public services and support local good governance. This article will specifically investigate the dynamics and existence of PASS FM Radio as a public sphere created by citizens where dialogue between the local government of Katapang sub-district and the community arises to discuss issues related to public services and information disclosure on development as the main parameter for local good governance as shown in bacéprot kuwu program.

According to Habermas’ definition of the public sphere, PASS FM Radio is one of the domains of social life where public opinion can be formed (Habermas, 1991), since it is open to all citizens and is formed in every dialogue where individuals come together to form a public. But at the same time, PASS Radio is also able to facilitate public communication between the government and citizens even though still in the PASS FM Radio format itself which positions government as ordinary citizens through the baceprot kuwu program. Thus, it can be said that the classic distinction of state and public is not so useful at a local level, and that the public communication practices are integrating those two levels.

Literature review

Since its first appearance in Indonesia, community radio as a community broadcasting institution faced a quite complicated problem in its existence. However, the community’s interest in establishing community radio was relatively high although it was not matched by the availability of adequate broadcasting infrastructure. This also indicates the lack of political will by the government to encourage the existence of community radio as one of the pillars of the democratisation of broadcasting in Indonesia. The existence of community radio was first recognised by the Broadcasting Law of 2002, but the Government Regulation on the Implementation of Community Broadcasting Institutions was only issued three years later, namely in 2005. Until now, not a single community radio in West Java has officially obtained a Broadcasting Permit (Izin Penyelenggaraan Siaran, IPS) due to the delay in the process of the Joint Meeting Forum (Forum Rapat Bersama, FRB) between the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (Komisi Penyiaran Indonesia, KPI) and the Ministry of Communication and Information. This means that the government allows community radio to broadcast illegally in the sense that it is not protected by the established government regulations.

At the same time, people’s interest in establishing community radio remains high with diverse motivations and implies different characteristics. Community radio is generally can be identified as; (1) Community Radio based on geography, which is community radio organised by a group of people in a certain area; (2) Community Radio based on profession, which is a community radio set up by a group of people to exchange information related to their professions; (3) Community Radio based on campus, which aims to support the success of the teaching and learning process at various levels of formal education; (4) Community Radio based on a hobby, which is set up by a group of people with the same interests; (5) Community Radio based on emergency conditions, that is intentionally established in areas affected by natural disasters; and (6) Community radio based on religious interests, which is established by religious institutions with the aim of religious propagation.

Meanwhile, previous research on community radio has been conducted from a variety of angles, including status and trends, as well as problems that have been discovered. For example, studies related to the role of community radio in emergency conditions to provide information around disaster locations (Ewart & Dekker, 2013) or disaster knowledge dissemination (Huda, Bajari, Muhtadi, & Rahmat, 2018) and its ability to carry out information functions in disasters and other emergency conditions (see, for example, Bartlett, 1995; Hindman & Coyle, 1999; Moody, 2009).

Furthermore, community radio is regarded as a medium that is suitable for fostering a civic community (Effendy, 2013), contributing to every attempt at social change in society (Fraser & Restrepo-Estrada, 2002), and citizen engagement in media discussions on civic problems (Agirreazkuenaga-Onaindia, Larrondo-Ureta, & Peña-Fernández, 2019). Due to the nature of community radio, it has been demonstrated that it has succeeded in improving knowledge and strengthening the attitude of transmigrant farmers towards farmer empowerment (Rahmat, 2008). Meanwhile, Atika, Lubis, and Rangkuti (2017) conducted a similar study on the role of community radio as a learning medium for empowering communities (see also, Sjuchro, Khadijah, & Sjafirah, 2021).

A study conducted by Kijana (2012) demonstrates that community radio has contributed to the resolution of ethnic conflicts in Kenya. Kijana discovered that ethnic community radio in Kenya has been successful in promoting a variety of cultural, social, educational, agricultural, and other local political activities to provide education about the unique activities carried out by each ethnic group to build understanding among ethnicity and minimise conflict.

Rachmiatie (2007) did another study on the escalation of communication democratisation, emphasising the need of employing community radio as an alternative medium in community empowerment. Even community radio has the potential to serve as a means of resistance to the ruling class (Maryani, 2011), while Tripambudi (2011) highlighted the function of community radio as an alternative media in empowering local communities. He discovered that the level of adoption of community radio as a medium for empowerment is proportional to its effectiveness. According to its goals, community radio broadcasts should be organised by community members to meet their diverse requirements. Peasant community radio, for example, should be dominated by broadcasts illustrating the needs of local peasants.

Another study on community radio touches on more fundamental issues, as evidenced by Pavarala and Malik’s (2007) study, which examines the essence of community radio as a community medium. Furthermore, according to another study, community radio is a reflection of citizens’ dissatisfaction with information and was founded as a local alternative media in the middle of the hegemony of mainstream media with commercial interests (Windyaningrum & Setiawan, 2017).

Community radio is also seen as the most cost-effective medium in new democracies for expressing the public’s voice and imagination to serve as a catalyst for community development, improved health and education, and the creation of civil society (Siemering, 2000). Another study discovered community radio as a tool of resistance in Cape Town, South Africa, which fuelled the establishment of numerous other community radio stations. Community radio was able to reinterpret these racial identities in the historical-political context of apartheid (Bosch, 2006).

Specifically in the Indonesian context, several studies related to community radio have reviewed several dimensions and functions of community radio in a number of regions in Indonesia. For instance, a study conducted by Atika, Lubis, and Rangkuti that described two community radios, namely Youth Radio and Whisnu Radio, in relation to fulfil the information needs of farmers in Indramayu (Atika et al., 2017). This study shows different results for each radio listener, namely the listeners of Youth Radio are classified as low, while the listeners to Whisnu Radio are classified as very high and one of the influencing factors is the frequency and duration of listening to community radio.

Other studies relate the role of community radio to community empowerment (Tripambudi, 2011) and developing civic communities (Effendy, 2013). In a same fashion, these two studies believe that community radio is an effective medium for efforts to empower rural communities supported by the existence of a civic community. One of the reasons for this is that community radio is a medium that is cheap and easy to reach so that it can become an alternative media for rural communities.

Meanwhile, others highlight the characteristics of the Jangkar Kelud community radio in East Java, which acts as an alternative media during a disaster (Huda et al., 2018). The absence of access to a number of other mass media has made community radio the main media that can provide information to citizens affected by disasters and their surroundings so that they can still access information about the latest developments.

Several studies have been completed, however, research that directly connected to radio as a medium to connect citizens’ interests with the government in achieving good governance has not been done extensively, particularly in the context of community radio. The existence of community radio may be one manifestation of ‘good citizens’ as defined by Westheimer and Kahne (2004) in three categories: the personally responsible citizen, the participatory citizen, and the justice-oriented citizen. In this context, participatory citizens refer to how people participate in public affairs and community social life at the local and national levels (Brien & Smith, 2011).

Specifically, the discussion over the media and the government formed one of the scopes of Jurgen Habermas’s public sphere theory (Habermas, 1989, 1991). As a result, the theory of the public sphere serves as the foundation for the perspective articulated in this article. It is critical to communicate the theory concisely to clarify its relevance and significance. According to Habermas, the democratisation of society is possible if the public sphere is filled with diverse quality discussions about shared life (Habermas, 1991). In other words, there is no exploitation of the public realm by authorities towards its people, and there is no government positioning as an inferior institution when dealing with the public. According to Habermas, we must construct a new social order free of the dominance of certain prevailing ideologies in society (Habermas, 1991). These dominances are often established by the power’s distortion of communication because a reasonable and open dialogue amongst citizens about their shared political existence must be developed (Habermas, 1989).

Habermas argues that modern society can be integrated through communicative actions that lead to consensus, which means that every action becomes a logical action directed towards understanding, agreement, and mutual understanding (Hardiman, 2014). Such agreement, according to Habermas, can only be reached through practical discourse, which is nothing more than a communication method (McQuail, 2011). According to Orlova, Musina, and Dzhanikesheva (2020), practical discourse is a technique for individuals to interact rationally with each other with an intersubjective understanding, which might be achieved through conversation between the state, business, and civil society.

Habermas outlined three communication needs in order to attain a broadly accepted rational consensus. First, participation in a discourse is only possible if everyone uses the same language and follows the logical and semantic rules of the language consistently. Second, equality in obtaining opportunity in dialogue can be attained only if each person has the purpose of establishing an impartial consensus and regards the other participants as autonomous individuals who are sincere, responsible, and equal, rather than as a means to an end. Third, there must be broadly applicable regulations that protect the dialogue process from coercion and discrimination. Habermas argues that disintegration caused by different ideas can be reduced by practical conversation and logical communication mechanisms (McQuail, 2011).

Habermas’ concept of the public sphere is inextricably linked to other ideas, particularly deliberative democracy. When the process of making public policy is originally tested through public dialogue, democracy becomes deliberative (Habermas, 1996). Deliberative democracy means that citizens need to deliberate and decide when and where bargaining is a fair and appropriate method of dispute resolution (Habermas, 1996). As a result, deliberative democracy is the power that supports an open and discursive-argumentative process for each product generated by political institutions, rather than just the majority vote. As a result, Habermas promotes political legitimacy through free and transparent public debate.

Peter Dahlgren (2009) stated that mass media can play a role in increasing direct relations between government and citizens. In addition, the mass media also provide a stage and channel for lawyers and activists, to hold civil forum debates for debate and discussions. Therefore, McQuail (2011) noted the role of the media in supporting the existence of public space as conceived by Habermas. Some of these notes reinforce the idea that mass media can: (1) expand the space for debate, (2) circulate information and ideas as a basis for public opinion, (3) link citizens with government, (4) provide dynamic information, (5) eliminate government monopolies in political discourse, and (6) broaden freedom and diversity of publications (McQuail, 2011).

As a form of media that carries out the function of the public sphere, López (cited in Pavarala & Malik, 2007, p. 15) argues that community radio is characterised by its role in providing opportunities for citizens’ participation in fighting for their interests; reflecting the will of the majority; helping to solve everyday problems; providing a space where debate and differences are respected; respecting cultural differences; respecting gender roles and relations; rejecting dictatorship, and through it, every citizen can express their thoughts without any discrimination.

The public sphere theory coined by Habermas becomes relevant in studying community radio as a medium where citizens can share their opinions directly with local governments as policymakers. Community radio is one of the ‘safe’ public spheres not only because its management is carried out by the public, but also free from commercial interests. That way, community radio has a strong potential to be one of the significant factors in efforts to create good governance, especially related to the opening of information channels between government and citizens and the transparency of the development process.

Method

This study employs the case study technique, which assumes that the phenomenon under investigation serves as a bridge to a greater understanding of the larger context (Yin, 1994). As a result, this study investigates a variety of topics concerning community radio and local good governance by focusing on the function and role of community radio as a medium oriented to the interests of citizens and a communication medium between citizens and local government. The crew and managers of PASS FM Radio, the government, observers, and radio listeners in Katapang Sub-district, Bandung, Indonesia, all participated in this study. Individuals with appropriate expertise and experience in the area of study are considered research subjects.

In this study, the researcher takes on the role of an outsider who is completely reliant on information provided by the research subject. Observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation studies were used to collect data in the meantime. The observation was conducted for 2 (two) months by personally observing how the PASS FM Radio operates, as well as the goals and characteristics of the programs they operate and how citizens are involved in each of these activities. Then, in-depth interviews were performed with three key informants who were thought to have direct or indirect experience linked to the study, such as the history of the radio and how it functioned in fulfilling public interests.

In-depth interviews were carried out simultaneously for more than 3 (three) months and were conducted in several different places according to the willingness of the informants. Then, to ensure that there was no ethics violation, each of these key informants has been informed that their identity will be published and they have agreed, even this is seen as strengthening the validity of the data presented in this paper. Meanwhile, documentation studies were conducted by gaining access to sources in written, printed, broadcast, and other relevant documents.

Results and discussion

PASS FM Radio: build to serve the community

PASS FM Radio was founded in 2002 by a group of citizens in Komplek Gading Junti Asri, Katapang Sub-district. Katapang is one of the sub-districts in Bandung Regency having sub-urban characteristics since it serves as a buffer zone between urban Bandung and rural South Bandung. The distance between Kapatang Sub-district and Bandung’s capital city is only 3 kilometres, while the distance to West Java Province’s capital is approximately 20 kilometres. This geographical position makes it easier for Katapang Sub-district residents to get influenced by various innovations introduced by the surrounding area. Before the idea of the establishment of community radio arose, the residents of Komplek Gading Junti Asri had used intercoms between residents’ houses so they could interact with each other intimately.

PASS FM Radio is not the only community radio in West Java, there are several geographic-based community radios such as Cibangkong Community Radio; professional-based such as Radio Komunitas Petani Tembakau (Tobacco Farmers Community Radio) in Tanjungsari Sumedang; university-based such as Radio ITB, UNPAD, UPI; hobby-based radio such as the Tarawangsa community radio in Sumedang; emergency situations-based such as Radio Swara Pangandaran which was established during the Pangandaran tsunami disaster; religious-based such as pesantren community radio and so on (Sjuchro, 2018). PASS FM radio has local reach in the Katapang District area although there is no adequate data on the number of listeners, the popularity of this radio reflects the significant geography of listeners.

The radio was originally aimed to foster interaction and communication between residents around the neighbourhood. Remembering the beginning of the establishment of PASS FM Radio, Noercahyanto Setyo Adiyuwono, one of the initiators of this radio, outlined as follows:

Communication through the intercom was quite complicated. We had to pull cables from one house to another so that it was an eyesore. Eventually, we realized that the intercom was difficult to connect houses far apart, so we thought of making a small broadcast radio. The advantage is that there is no need to use cable. Radio broadcasts are wireless, using frequencies that are not visible in the air. (Interview with NS Adiyuwono)

This informant learned about radio broadcasts through his involvement with the mass media, particularly print media, namely as a contributor to Trubus Magazine, a popular agribusiness magazine in Indonesia. PASS was finally settled upon as the name of the radio based on the input of numerous friends. This is illustrated from the description as follows,

PASS was originally referred to the term bypass, a road made to break through traffic congestion … By naming PASS, we hope that communication between community members will be smoother, for the purpose of establishing community radio. But when it registered, the term PASS was then made into an abbreviation of Positive, Accommodative, Selective, and Swadaya (Self-subsistence – author). Each abbreviation has a specific meaning that describes the spirit of PASS FM Radio founders. (Interview with NS Adiyuwono)

According to a report issued by PASS FM Radio (Tim, 2006), the abbreviation PASS can consist of the following: (1) Positive, in the sense that it always does good in every purpose, step, and activity to develop the nation and state; (2) Accommodative, in the sense, that it can embrace various suggestions, opinions, creations so that it can be a motivation for work and achievement; (3) Selective, in the sense that it will only present selected programs (both off-air and on-air), so that they can truly reach the target; and (4) Self-subsistence, in the sense that radio is consistent with PASS FM’s philosophy of community radio which is ‘from the community, managed by the community, and for the community’.

At the beginning of its establishment, the coverage of the PASS FM Radio was limited to the neighbourhood of the Komplek Gading Junti Asri using a 300-watt transmitter and operating at a frequency of 94.2 MHz which they recognised as an illegal channel since they had no official permission from the Government due to the density of users. Likewise, PASS FM Radio was later protested by other radio stations. The chaotic use of frequency channels in the city of Bandung began to subside with the cessation of Radio Sonata FM. In its development, because 107.7 to 107.9 is available, finally PASS FM Radio has switched to 107.8 FM and has been operating until now.

As a community-based radio, PASS FM Radio is also organising various social activities aimed at improving community welfare. Thus, they not only carry out activities on-air and off-air but also organisational development and establish cooperation with other organisations with the same vision and mission. As recorded in Laporan PASS FM Radio (Tim, 2006), several community organisations that foster cooperation with PASS FM Radio include; cooperatives, event organisers, citizens’ business development institutions, environmentally conscious communities, traditional food producers, and arts and cultural communities.

In addition to managing various activities based on community welfare, Radio PASS also cooperates with other organisations that are assumed as able to accelerate the achievement of the purpose. Among these organisations include (1) Karismatik, the youth organisation of Al Muhajirin DKM mosque; (2) Indonesian Agri Mushroom Society (Masyarakat Agri Jamur Indonesia, MAJI), (3) Association of Artists and Cultural activists of Bandung (Paguyuban Seniman dan Budayawan Kabupaten Bandung, Passeban); (4) Bandung Regency Budget Discussion Forum (Forum Diskusi Anggaran, FDA); (5) SKEMA, Islamic teenage girls’ organisation; (6) Messanger, a group of Islamic young teenagers; (7) Community Resource Centers (Pusat Sumber Daya Komunitas, PSDK); (8) Community Radio Network (Jaringan Radio Komunitas, JRK); and (9) Grassroots Information Channel (Saluran Informasi Akar Rumput, SIAR) (Tim, 2006).

Partnerships with some of these groups are primarily intended to maximise local potential. Among the successful local potentials were the birdcage craftsmen, who were easily located in the Katapang Sub-district area and had succeeded in expanding their market to Surabaya. Moreover, wayang golek (traditional wooden puppets) artisans who could promote their products more widely saw the same success. Another potential that has been increased by FM PASS Radio is mushroom cultivation as an alternative food crop, which has yielded promising results. The numerous activities and networks established by PASS FM Radio above demonstrate that community radio can not only transmit entertainment but also aid in the process of strengthening the local community.

Bridging the citizens’ interests

Along with its growth, PASS FM Radio has undergone a significant transformation from a neighbourhood radio station to a community radio station. This has implications for infrastructure and broadcast material. The studio was relocated from a house to the Sangkanhurip Village office on permanent loan status, which enhanced infrastructure. PASS FM Radio is now housed in a 7 × 3 metre area on the second floor, which has been partitioned into two rooms. The first room serves as a broadcast studio, while the second serves as an administration and conference space. To improve coverage, the antenna was extended to 70 metres. All of this progress was made in tandem with community self-sufficiency.

As the PASS FM Radio studio moved to the new place, the radio equipment was gradually being improved as well. Broadcast equipment such as transmitters, computers, amplifiers, and 4-bay dipole antennas was gradually provided. Besides, PASS FM Radio also provides 24-hour internet service, so it can broadcast in streaming. With this equipment, PASS FM Radio is able to provide more optimal services to the people of Katapang Sub-district and surrounding areas.

In addition, PASS FM Radio also began to morph into a station that represented the public interest in a wider sense. Not only among residents, but the village authorities in the Katapang Sub-district also began to be interested in the work of PASS FM Radio through public events. This is as recorded in Adiwiyono’s description as follows,

The meeting of the interests of PASS FM Radio with the village administration in Katapang Sub-district did not happen easily. Various interests, both from the government and the community, triggered the meeting between the two parties. Katapang Sub-district community diligently delivered various criticisms to the government, so the government was forced to respond. On the one hand, the government was also interested in listening to various input from the people, and on the other hand, the PASS FM Radio crew who were experienced as an activist were able to bridge various problems that arise. So it was fitting for them to meet each other’s interests. (Interview with NS Adiyuwono)

The highlight of the meeting of various interests in the Katapang District was an agreement between the management of PASS FM Radio with the local government in 2005. One of the points of the agreement was the recognition of the government to the existence of PASS FM Radio as a recognised community radio through PERDES (Peraturan Desa, Regulation of the Government of Village) No. 02 of 2005 concerning the Establishment of PASS FM Community Radio. The PERDES clauses listed several objectives for the establishment of PASS FM Radio, namely as; (1) a representation of the existence of Community Radio in Katapang Sub-district, Bandung; (2) a medium for strengthening citizens’ unity; (3) a medium for partnership; (4) a medium for advocacy and human rights; (5) a medium for the empowerment of aspirations, creations, innovations, and empowerment of human resources; and (6) an independent medium for controlling or supervising, criticising, and assisting the course of economic, social, technological, political and cultural development, and various public policies.

The PERDES document indicates that the local government is ready to be controlled and criticised by the community through community radio. This is quite an interesting phenomenon since the government usually keeps its distance from the mass media, including radio which is considered to be fond of criticising various public policies. The achievement of PASS FM Radio in cooperating with the Government continues. In the same year, PASS FM Radio took APDESI (Asosiasi Pemerintah Desa Seluruh Indonesia, Association of Indonesian Local Government) in Katapang subdistrict to cooperation between villages in the Katapang Sub-district neighbourhood.

The agreement between PASS FM Radio with the local government and APDESI in Katapang Sub-district is a new phenomenon in Indonesia. Regarding this matter, an observer and community radio activist Dadan Saputra gave his comments as follows,

This event is unique. If all this time the presence of community radio tends to be appreciated negatively by the government, what happened in Sangkanhurip is the opposite. They were even able to hold a local government together to manage a community radio. (Interview with Dadan Saputra)

One of the achievements of PASS FM Radio is its active participation in the village head election process (Pilkades) in Sangkanhurip Village and Pangauban Village. Pilkades campaign which has been conducted conventionally was later conducted through the radio. In this way, the potential for horizontal conflict between each candidate’s supporters can be minimised. In addition, campaign costs can also be minimised. This was as stated by Supriatna, one of the managers of PASS FM Radio as follows,

PASS FM Radio invites the village head candidates to campaign through the radio. They come on a predetermined schedule to convey their vision and mission. The radio also invited the village head candidates to openly debate through the radio and was immediately listened to by potential voters … In addition to organizing campaigns and debates, community radio also held simple quick counts. This indicates that democracy at the village level which is usually expensive and conflict-prone can be simplified through a radio medium that can be accepted by the community. (Interview with Supriatna)

The involvement of PASS FM Radio in the democratic process at the grassroots shows that the radio is not allergic to political matters, both national and local. PASS FM Radio has taken a step forward to participate in these activities practically and successfully to involve the community. Not only in the Pilkades that are local but also in national contexts such as presidential, legislative, and regional head elections. PASS FM radio, for example, provides broadcast hours for certain prospective success team campaigns, of course, at the expense of production.

The broad scope of PASS FM Radio activities has distinguished the radio from similar community radios in various regions. In general, community radio rarely organises activities and has difficulty in mobilising citizens to participate. However, the facts shown by PASS FM Radio are exceptions. According to Supriatna, citizen participation in various PASS FM Radio activities cannot be separated from the support of the village government in the Katapang Sub-district. This is illustrated by his explanation as follows,

A variety of activities of PASS FM Radio can bring participants from villages in Katapang. The village heads send participants when there is an activity, so many people come to the activity. We just need to announce activities on the radio or post advertisements, so people can easily find out about activities on PASS FM Radio. So actually, the activities of PASS FM Radio have belonged to community supported by the village heads in Katapang. (Interview with Supriatna)

In general, community radio has difficulty accommodating various community needs due to various internal and external factors. The community radio format, which is usually in the form of a small radio owned by an individual or group, fails to capture the various aspirations of the community so that it results in a low sense of ownership from citizens and has implications for the difficulty of mobilising citizens. Therefore, one of the keys to the success of PASS FM Radio is the effort to always try to find out the needs of the community and to try to meet those needs with local governments.

It can be generally explained that the success of FM PASS Radio as a public sphere was due to the initiative of citizens who expect social change. The radio, which was established in the middle of 2002, immediately received the attention of media observers, especially the radio, because of its work which is fairly successful in contributing to the surrounding community. The culmination of PASS FM Radio’s progress was the success in collaborating with the government of Sangkanhurip Village, Katapang Sub-district to establish a Village Regulation (PERDES) regarding the establishment of PASS FM Radio in 2005. The PERDES, which was set on 14 March 2005, seemed to be a sign of cooperation between the government and community radio that moved with the motto ‘community radio, by the community, and for the community’.

Bacéprot Kuwu: PASS FM Radio and public discourses

One of the popular and excellent programs of PASS FM Radio as community radio is the Bacéprot Kuwu, a talkshow program that presents village heads as the sources. The word Bacéprot Kuwu itself is Sundanese. The literal meaning of the word bacéprot describes the activity of ‘free speech, sometimes meaningless’ which is rarely used in a formal context. Meanwhile, kuwu is a traditional designation used in Sundanese society for village heads (now called Kepala Desa or Lurah). Thus, the Bacéprot Kuwu technically means free conversation of village heads.

Interestingly, this program was compiled based on the spontaneous ideas of village heads in the Katapang Sub-district neighbourhood. This was as conveyed by Supriatna when remembering the birth of this program as stated

There is nothing special about the birth of the Bacéprot Kuwu program. Starting from the desire of the village heads to speak freely on the radio. That is all. Unexpectedly, the program attracted the attention of the listeners. Because of this great attention, other village heads were also interested to participate. So we arrange for village heads to take part in broadcasting every Saturday night. (Interview with Supriatna)

Even though it has been arranged in such a way, the presence of the village heads is not guaranteed. Sometimes, some of the village heads come to the program simultaneously or even none of the village heads filled out the broadcast. To anticipate this, an improvisation was conducted. Meanwhile, in terms of topic, the Bacéprot Kuwu program has a broad and varied discussion since there are no restrictions set by the managers. Therefore, the sources (village heads) can freely discuss any topics that are important and interesting according to them. In general, they respond to the listeners’ questions, and discussed political themes, government policies, social, cultural, and sometimes gossip.

Based on its original purpose, the Bacéprot Kuwu program did provide opportunities for village heads to engage in dialogue directly with the community while listening to the various problems they were facing. The program is guided by a broadcaster who also acts as a moderator to accommodate telephone and SMS messages from listeners. In subsequent developments, the topic has progressed to reach a variety of contextual problems that are being faced by the community, or various problems that are currently appearing in the mass media and social media as well.

The Bacéprot Kuwu program is indeed set as a very fluid program where the sources who are village heads can speak freely, sometimes even using unusual vocabulary, in the sense of using local slang words. However, this kind of program packaging makes this program gain a positive response from the community. The popularity of the Bacéprot Kuwu program has consequently made it an icon for PASS FM Radio for many years.

Another factor contributing to the popularity of the Bacéprot Kuwu program is that this program presents the leaders at the regional level, in this case, village heads. This facilitates the creation of community involvement to actively play a role as part of the program by interacting via telephone or SMS. Through the program, the listeners can convey their grievances directly to their leader. Meanwhile, the village head can respond to problems raised by the community in a relaxed manner and break through the bureaucratic impasse that has been experienced by the community.

What is demonstrated by the Bacéprot Kuwu Program and even the PASS FM Radio as a whole is part of a form of deliberative democracy. This can be seen from the participation of citizens in public decision-making through community radio as a community forum in the public sphere. As emphasised by Habermas (1989) the public sphere has a crucial role in the democratic process which embodies community discourse, through which citizens can express their opinions, interests, and needs discursively. The public sphere is a means where citizens communicate, discuss, argue, and express attitudes towards political problems. The public sphere is not only a legal institution or organisation but also communication between citizens.

The Bacéprot Kuwu program has recorded a new history in community radio in Indonesia as a constructive and inspiring program This program has opened the widest communication channels between citizens and the local government. In other words, the Bacéprot Kuwu program is an example that community radio has a powerful potential to support the creation of local good governance by involving the community and civil society.

Conclusion

PASS FM Radio has succeeded in making a difference with community radio in general because of the support of various factors so that it can play a role as a facilitator of the interests of citizens. Furthermore, citizens can interact with local governments and encourage them to engage in constructive joint activities. The success of PASS FM Radio in mobilising community participation in joint activities can move local governments to jointly solve problems faced by the community. On one hand, the success of the PASS FM Radio, community radio is inseparable from the support of various parties who generally have opened management insights so that they can optimise community radio as more than just entertainment for the community. On the other hand, local government trust is also key to the success of this radio in enhancing its role as a bridge between the government and the community

The collaboration between PASS FM Radio and the local government create governance procedures that are clean, transparent, and participatory. Through several programs, PASS FM Radio has successfully carried out functions to mediate the interests of both parties, namely citizens and government by facilitating both parties to discuss the real problems faced by the community but remain in a polite and controlled state as democratic ideals.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).