Women working in community media – a discussion for International Women’s Day 21.02.26 led by Shumaila Jaffery
How do women working in community media respond when their communities face tension or conflict? What does it mean to tell local stories from within the community rather than from a distance? And how can everyday communication through radio, local journalism, and storytelling help rebuild trust between neighbours when misinformation and misunderstanding threaten to divide them? These were the questions explored in a discussion recorded for International Women’s Day, bringing together women who are actively involved in community media and local communication projects.
Shumaila Jaffery opened the discussion by reflecting on her own background as a journalist who had previously worked in national and international newsrooms. She described how different community media feels compared with large national media organisations. National reporting, she explained, often looks at events from a distance, moving from place to place when something dramatic happens. Community media, by contrast, works from within the community itself. The people telling the stories are also the people living alongside the audiences who listen, read, and respond.
This closeness to everyday life shaped much of the conversation that followed. Helen Pettman, the long-time volunteer editor of the Evington Echo, spoke about how community journalism often begins with simple encounters in daily life. On the morning of the recording, a local resident had already stopped her to discuss a problem in the park. Food left out for birds was attracting rats and causing concern for dog walkers. The resident hoped the Echo might help raise awareness and encourage a practical solution. For Helen, this kind of exchange is typical of community media. People approach her directly because they see the magazine as part of the neighbourhood and trust that their concerns will be taken seriously.
Nima, who helped establish Leicester Stories of Hope in 2022, reflected on the circumstances that led to the project’s creation. The unrest that took place in the city that year left many residents shocked and unsettled. For those who had lived in the area for many years, the tensions did not reflect their experience of everyday life. Nima explained that the situation had been worsened by misinformation circulating through social media networks and messaging platforms. Rumours and emotionally charged messages were spreading quickly, often without context.
In response, Nima and her colleagues decided to create a different kind of media initiative. Instead of focusing on division, they invited residents to share stories about cooperation, friendship, and everyday acts of kindness between neighbours. These accounts became the foundation of Leicester Stories of Hope. People began contributing examples of how communities celebrated festivals together, supported each other through difficult times, or simply helped one another with ordinary tasks. For Nima, the project was a way of reminding people that the reality of local life was far more complex and hopeful than the narratives circulating online.
Bindu, a radio presenter who has worked with multilingual stations including EAVAFM and Radio Utsav, spoke about the different kind of relationship that radio creates with its audience. Listeners often recognise her voice even if they have never met her in person. Many have told her that her programmes bring comfort and encouragement, particularly when they focus on wellbeing, music, and positive conversation. For Bindu, these responses are deeply meaningful. She described the appreciation and encouragement she receives from listeners as a form of reward that cannot easily be measured in financial terms.
The discussion returned several times to the events of 2022 and the role women played in helping communities process what had happened. Nima explained that when Leicester Stories of Hope first began organising meetings, the organisers decided to invite women first. The idea was that women often hold important roles within families and communities, particularly during moments of tension. When women come together to talk openly about their concerns and hopes, they can create spaces where dialogue becomes possible again.
One example Nima shared illustrated how these conversations could develop. During one gathering, women from Hindu and Muslim backgrounds met to talk about their experiences and concerns. After their discussions, the group took part in a drumming activity together. What began as a structured exercise quickly turned into a shared moment of laughter and cooperation. For Nima, the experience was symbolic. Despite disagreements and differences, the participants found themselves creating rhythm together. The activity demonstrated how shared experiences can build connections even after difficult conversations.
Helen reflected on the role that local journalism played during the same period. Through the Evington Echo, she tried to encourage messages that emphasised peace and cooperation within neighbourhoods. She also attended sessions of the inquiry that followed the unrest, hoping to better understand what had happened and how communities might respond constructively. For her, community media carries a responsibility to report events carefully while also supporting the relationships that sustain local life.
Throughout the discussion, the participants returned to the theme of care. Whether through radio programmes, storytelling initiatives, or neighbourhood journalism, their work often involves listening to people, responding to concerns, and encouraging conversation rather than confrontation. Bindu spoke about how radio can help improve people’s wellbeing, while Helen highlighted the importance of practical community initiatives such as gardening projects that bring neighbours together in shared spaces.
As the conversation drew to a close, the participants reflected on what advice they might offer to younger women considering involvement in community media. Nima encouraged them to pursue media work if they feel drawn to it, whether through journalism, podcasting, or community broadcasting. Helen offered a piece of practical advice drawn from long experience: when feeling angry about an issue, wait twenty-four hours before responding. Taking time to reflect, she suggested, often leads to better decisions and more constructive outcomes.
Together, the discussion offered a portrait of women who approach media not simply as a professional activity but as a form of community care. Their work demonstrates how communication rooted in everyday relationships can help communities navigate moments of tension and rediscover the connections that bind them together.
