Podcasting helps communities find voice

Much media focuses on the benefits of podcasting as a marketing tool. Well, there is more to podcasting that churning out marketing material and making money. FYI Radio, the queer alternative podcasting station has proved that on a number of occasions.

FYI Radio, through workshops with young people, live public shows and special reports from high-profile events, has provided the LGBT community with a voice, media skills and coverage of their needs and issues. Furthermore providing intelligent programming through discussions with industry experts that cover the field of the gay market or Pink Pound.

Sue Sanders is the chair of Schools OUT, an organisation that tackles homophobic bullying in schools. After appearing on FYI Radio shows as a panellist, Sue said: “FYI Radio helps give organisations such as Schools Out the coverage they need to get their message across.”

So, not only did Schools OUT use FYI Radio to broadcast their message but also as a way to offer help and guidance to young people, and the young people involved as volunteers demonstrated to a major lobbying organisation their skills and range of knowledge.

FYI podcasts do not just further overwhelm a medium that critics claim is already full of half-decent material, either. Gary Nunn, of gay equality organisation Stonewall, said: “There's a real space in the broadcast media for an outlet to speak specifically to LGBT young people. FYi is filling that space perfectly and Stonewall is proud to be working alongside it - especially as much of our work is also now young-person focused.”

FYI Radio has found a gap in the services currently provided by traditional media. That gap has previously been spotted by various media outlets, but those outlets fell into the trap of creating yet another free gay magazine that cannot survive without inappropriate advertising, and is only available within London, often in over-18 venues.

FYI Radiocreated an info-tainment service that uses a fresh medium on the cutting edge of technology, which is accessible to people worldwide, free to download, easy to produce and perfectly in tune with the current enthusiasm for social media. In short, FYI Radio is far more appealing and practical for its target audience than its competitors.

Podcasts can also be a great way to facilitate political engagement for example. Keen to appear both involved in minority issues, as well as appear up-to-date with the latest technology, politicians are often more receptive to attending a live podcasting event or give a podcast interview than give, say, a magazine interview.

Cllr Richard Barnes, Deputy Mayor of London, was deeply impressed by an event for young people at City Hall hosted by FYI Radio. At the event, young LGBT volunteers interviewed several politicians, political activists and other high-profile figures. Says Barnes: "I have had the pleasure of being interviewed, on air, by representatives of the LGBT youth groups in London, and it was fascinating.

Finally, a podcast is the perfect tool to give new company, a small business, an emerging industry or a marginalised community a voice. Podcasting combines everything that is convenient about the web, with everything that is new and exciting. That means that people listening to podcasts are more likely to download a podcast they have never heard of – thus hearing the views of, say, the LGBT community – than they would pick up a gay magazine. Mark Reedman, Chief Executive, LGBT Consortium sums this us: "FYI Radio is an excellent example of how community-based and new media can provide voice for marginalised communities - but in a way that focuses on the everyday issues that effect 'everyday' individuals.”

In short, there is no end to the possibilities and advantages podcasting provides, and as the medium develops we will only see more benefits arising.