ABSTRACT
This chapter draws from the literature and the research data to propose an alternative conceptualisation of participation. Limited participation, while it represents the structural restrictions imposed on community radio in India, does not fully describe what was taking place at the research sites. What this definition fails to capture is the value that can still be derived from participation, despite the limitations. This chapter introduces “meaningful participation” as a way of understanding the intangible benefits of participation in community radio. These benefits include themes such as voice, ownership, identity, and agency, and demonstrate the immense value of community radio, even where participation is structurally limited.
