ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the role of development as an overarching structure that governs the work of community radio stations in India. Development, as distinct from social change, acts as a script that community radio stations must follow, a script written by the legislative guidelines governing community radio, but that is also influenced by a powerful, global discourse. This chapter argues that this pervasive development discourse impacts upon every aspect of community radio, from the policy level to the grassroots. Using Manyozo’s critical concept of “the spectacle of development” alongside a historical exploration of development thought and its enduring spectres, this chapter examines how development manifests within community radio in India. Communication plays an essential role in transmitting and reinforcing this discourse and community radio stations find themselves complicit in perpetuating the simplistic change models and narrow worldviews associated with the spectacle of development.
