COMMUNITY AND ITS RADIO, A case study of Chikuni Radio in Zambia
JUUTINEN, KRISTIINA (2008)
2008
Tiedotusoppi - Journalism and Mass Communication
Yhteiskuntatieteellinen tiedekunta - Faculty of Social Sciences
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2008-05-07
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:uta-1-18032
https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:uta-1-18032
Tiivistelmä
Media usage in Southern Africa is dominated by radio: it is easily accessible even to poor people. In this context community radios are seen by different agencies, donors and communities themselves as good means to provide information to all people. This Master’s thesis is a case study about one such community radio station, Chikuni Radio located in South-Eastern Zambia.
The radio station, founded in 2000, has potential listenership of 250,000 and is popular in its coverage area. It broadcasts in English and Tonga, which is the first language to the majority of the people in its coverage area. Because the radio is the main medium for many, and alternatives are hard to find, there is a strong pressure to cater for complex information needs and gather information from varying sources.
The study’s aim is to perceive understanding of interactions of this community radio and its audience, and furthermore, to discuss the concept of community radio from the point of view of the radio’s and community’s relation. The concrete study questions are how does the Chikuni community comprehend Chikuni Radio; how do people in Chikuni Radio comprehend their work; how do these aspects relate to current writings about the community radios and their communities in relation to ownership; how do these aspects relate to current writings about the community radios and their communities in relation to NGOs in HIV/AIDS reporting and finally, is Chikuni Radio essentially about top down or bottom up communication.
Data of this study includes interviews of staff, focus group discussions and a survey questionnaire. In addition I have included some of my own observations and information gained in conversations. It was collected in August and September 2006 in villages around in Chikuni Parish.
I am challenging professor Kasoma’s statement that no church radio would qualify as a community radio in Zambia. Taking Chikuni Radio and black magic as an example, I suggest that ideal community radio can be considered conservative rather than developmental. I also find need for studies about NGOs role in community radios.
Keywords: community radio, development communication, radio, Zambia
The radio station, founded in 2000, has potential listenership of 250,000 and is popular in its coverage area. It broadcasts in English and Tonga, which is the first language to the majority of the people in its coverage area. Because the radio is the main medium for many, and alternatives are hard to find, there is a strong pressure to cater for complex information needs and gather information from varying sources.
The study’s aim is to perceive understanding of interactions of this community radio and its audience, and furthermore, to discuss the concept of community radio from the point of view of the radio’s and community’s relation. The concrete study questions are how does the Chikuni community comprehend Chikuni Radio; how do people in Chikuni Radio comprehend their work; how do these aspects relate to current writings about the community radios and their communities in relation to ownership; how do these aspects relate to current writings about the community radios and their communities in relation to NGOs in HIV/AIDS reporting and finally, is Chikuni Radio essentially about top down or bottom up communication.
Data of this study includes interviews of staff, focus group discussions and a survey questionnaire. In addition I have included some of my own observations and information gained in conversations. It was collected in August and September 2006 in villages around in Chikuni Parish.
I am challenging professor Kasoma’s statement that no church radio would qualify as a community radio in Zambia. Taking Chikuni Radio and black magic as an example, I suggest that ideal community radio can be considered conservative rather than developmental. I also find need for studies about NGOs role in community radios.
Keywords: community radio, development communication, radio, Zambia