Panel

Radio creates a broadly accessible dimension in which various communities can meet, exchange, discuss, and develop ideas on their own terms, often free of commercial and governmental constraints and regulations. It is thus transforming the way we think of notions of geography and public place. Since cyberspace and advanced technologies in media have not yet reached all of the developing world, broadcast radio is still the easiest medium for sharing knowledge across borders and in spite of the restraints of time and space—a quality that also informs artistic radio endeavors. As a non-visual medium, radio has also gained additional prominence and validity in politically charged situations, where a certain degree of anonymity is necessary. What political, cultural and humanitarian goals can be served by this medium exclusively? How does radio function as a tool for shared information? This panel discusses the ability of airwaves to keep the world connected near and far, and where other technology fails.

Moderator
Stephanie Guyer-Stevens, Producer, Outer Voices

Participants
Khin Phyu Htway, student, The New School, Voice of America, Burmese service
William H. Siemering, President, Developing Radio Partners
Pete Tridish, Prometheus Radio Project
Gregory Whitehead, artist

This event is presented as part of the Vera List Center’s program cycle on “The Public Domain.”