Local voices, media literacy and social actions: A case study of yuan-lin folks press

Abstract

The study explored the operation of a citizen medium - Yuan-lin Folks Press (2000-2005) in a small town in central Taiwan. By viewing the issue from the perspectives of media access, media literacy as well as empowerment, the study indicated how local voices and images can be seen and heard by the general public, and how local citizens gained the rights of local culture interpretation for their own community. The data were collected via long-term observations, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions after the 921 Earthquake in 1999. The study suggested that within the contexts of a specific community of Yuan-lin Township, the media had created a new form of bottom-up non-linear, and dynamic community communication through interplaying with participation, producing, and media literacy of "learning by doing" as well as community actions. This innovative form had not only expanded the public sphere from the traditional media to the community actions, but also showed that the small media might be able to compete, negotiate and cooperate with the mainstream media. Furthermore, it may as well change the nature of community and society through self- and community empowerment.