Information needs in the local community and the creation of a community radio station colonia La Presita 1, San Miguel

Abstract

The research underscores how community radio stations act as public spaces that seek to fill the information gaps left by mass and commercial media. In the specific case of the La Presita 1 neighborhood in San Miguel Centro, there is an urgent demand for micro-local narratives that strengthen identity and social fabric in the face of information homogenization. This need aligns with the concept of social profitability, where the primary value of the medium lies not in profit, but in its capacity to generate dialogue, transparency, and citizen empowerment within the community. The study highlights a predominantly young and student-oriented audience profile, with 49.2% between 18 and 30 years old, demonstrating a willingness to move from passive consumers to potential creators of media content. There is significant human capital (47.5%) eager to actively participate in radio management and production, a fundamental condition for the success of a station that seeks to be managed by and for the community. This inclination toward active participation reflects the population's desire to exercise their right to communication in a sovereign and direct manner. Finally, the project's viability rests not only on the overwhelming social support of 88.5%, but also on a potential model of economic sustainability based on the local business network. 36.9% of residents own businesses or ventures and see the radio station as a legitimate platform for their promotion, which would facilitate self-management and guarantee editorial independence from political influence. If implemented, the community radio station would become a strategic tool for citizen oversight and social mobilization around the real needs of the residents.