Indigenous radio stations in Mexico: a catalyst for social cohesion and cultural strength

Due to the presence of over 12 million people from almost 60 different ethnic groups, Mexico is a multicultural/ethnic country. Indigenous radio has developed under the auspices of a governmental organization charged with policy-making directed toward these populations. Thus a hybrid model for radio has emerged combining public, state, and local community media characteristics. Based upon qualitative research conducted in the geographical area covered by the oldest of these stations, this article focuses on the sociocultural repercussions of indigenous radio and shows how, although linked to the governmental apparatus, it has subtly contributed to the transformation of the dominant symbolic order and has strengthened the sociocultural cohesion among the three ethnic groups who inhabit the region. The research reveals the relevance of the intercommunication which radio facilitates and shows how beyond direct exposure to the medium, radio produces a trans-territorial and trans-generational impact in the social imagination of indigenous populations.