Tseltal communities learn vital, reliable, and relevant information through Community Radio.
Juan interviewing people in his community
Juan Méndez Hernández is a farmer who lives with his family in the community of Jol Tanchibil Santa Cecilia. Since last year, Juan has been one of the community reporters for Ach' Lequilc'op Tseltal Community Radio, whose role is to prepare news reports on issues relevant to rural communities in the region.
Juan is in contact with some of the communities near where he lives, and when he learns of an important event, Juan goes to the community where the event is happening and interviews people. Then he sends his report to the community radio studio team to be broadcast on the regular newscast.
Juan’s work as a community reporter's service is vital because, through his dispatches, the Community Radio station is able to broadcast important events at the local level, both positive and negative. Reporting may include information about land dispossessions, crimes, and conflicts between people and productive initiatives, educational programming, and traditional cultural celebrations. Before the community radio existed, there was no way outlying communities could be informed about these events.
Juan’s community chose him to serve as a community reporter, and he enjoys his volunteer service. He is eagerly learning new radio skills and techniques through the training provided by the Radio team:
“I really like going out to interview people in the different communities. I feel that my life has changed, it has been enriched. I have met new people and friends. I am grateful to my colleagues at the radio station for giving us this opportunity”