How do you think Community Media is important?
It has been almost a century since George Orwell wrote Animal Farm and Nineteen eighty four. These books have had an important role in the society since they call the attention of the community to take care of that precious possibility which is to be able to disagree or have another point of view and communicate it to the society without being punished or quiet by the others (people in power). This is the reason why I think Community media plays an important role in the society.

First of all, having Community Media opens us doors for the community to be conscious of the local reality of each individual. South America as many other parts in the world does not have Community Media access. Indeed, we did not even know about it until I went to Fayetteville Arkansas and was able to visit it and be able to know about it. Community Media makes a society be aware of the reality and points of view of every part of the community. From Adults to Children, they are able to talk, write, disagree, advise, collaborate, and / or induce someone to do something for the whole.

Secondly, it helps costumes and traditions keep alive among citizens. Many people forget about simple principles like keeping the ground clean, respecting each other, voting to help the society be stronger, or just to hear about the history or sayings of the city or country. What I have seen at CAT TV is an open space for the citizen or pedestrian to come and give his or her opinion and be heard by anyone. There are many cities and places which have been silenced by the government or they do not have such a thing to help the community be heard. For example, CAT TV could be used to promote several campaigns like citizenship, health education, children education, etc.

Finally, we (the silenced viewers) have state channels; however, we cannot have access to it since it is just devoted to the government’s desires or needs. In spite of this fact, we still have private TV channels which can disagree or talk for us when we do not agree with the government or politicians. If we could have a CAT TV in my country, I think things would be different, we could have more people involved in volunteering, more young people trying to present their views and dreams, several types of religions will have the same access to an space on the channel, more beneficial events would be advertised, and we will have the chance to be on TV without having to pay anything.

All in all, having the opportunity to talk or see another person express himself or herself is a fact that makes me feel amazed because we do not have such a thing in my country. It is wonderful to be able to go and present or participate in an event and share my thoughts. I wish others would take CAT TV as an important tool to increase the relationships between civil and state citizens.