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1 The practice
2 Hints for an evaluation
2.1 Strenghts
“To some extent, we prove that there does not happen anything dramatic, if one gives a piece of its resources - public or medial power – away”, said Helga Schwarzwald from "Radio Orange".
Filling a gap in the whole media scenery in order to give otherwise unrepresented groups in society the chance to reach public, can be seen as a big strength of "Radio Orange". The large variety of different ethnic and language groups within the programme underlines this success evidently as well as its high acceptance in society.
Moreover, according to Helga Schwarzwald, the radio is an instrument to strengthen identity of minorities, when it provides the possibility to express oneself and to get the feeling of truly existing in this society. Especially for “new” ethnic groups the possibility to use such a handy instrument like a radio in order to listen to familiar sounds and language is an important thing. It can help to cope with the whole rather unpleasant situation in the new environment.
This process is supported by teaching media skills in order to cope better with the disadvantages in the majority dominated society.
Another positive aspect is the fact that moderating radio actually means being active and creating autonomously, instead of receiving help from above like a more or less passive object. Furthermore, the “poly-ethnic” view, what means diversity also within single ethnic groups is to some extent reflected by the radio’s program.
Although real intercultural projects are rather rare, the whole radio is to be seen as a meeting place for different cultures. Thus intercultural exchange and communication takes place on a very informal level, without institutionalised structures.
However, institutionalisation of participation of minorities and prevention of exclusion of several groups within the internal structure is a practice, which has to be highly appreciated.
The radio’s contribution to influence the public opinion and discourse is another point referring to the idea of filling the gap in the media scenery. The continuity of radio broadcasting contributes also to a perception of medial reality, where other languages and other cultures are normality.
Finally, this is all based on the conception of free radios which guarantees far-reaching independence.
2.2 Critical Points
As Helga Schwarzwald admits, in spite of the efforts to achieve more participation of migrants on the important organisational levels inside the radio, there is still a lack of involvement; especially on higher levels like the managing board.
Really intercultural practises do not take place very often. But from the radios perspective it does not seem to be necessary to force it directly. This could rather effect refusing reactions, whereas meetings by chance deliver a much more unconstraint atmosphere.
Due to the principle of independence, financing remains an ongoing problem of the whole organisation.
2.3 Lessons Learnt
The idea of giving an opportunity to minorities to express themselves and to acquire a place in the media scenery is in every case recommendable.
Moreover the conception to try for participation of every structural level is an approach that should be considered by other organisations, too.
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