Radio listening clubs in Malawi as alternative public spheres

Bibliographic Data

ID7499076
AuthorsPeter Mhagama (University of Malawi, corresponding author)
Year2015
Volume13
Issue1
Pages105-120
Publication date2015-10-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueRadio Journal International Studies in Broadcast & Audio Media (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1476-4504 • E-ISSN: 2040-1388
PublisherIntellect (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1386/rjao.13.1-2.105_1
OpenAlexW2784139775
LanguageEN
Citations received9

Many people in rural areas in Malawi lack access to information due to illiteracy and the unavailability of reliable sources of information. There is also an absence of a proper forum where rural ordinary people can express their views and have their voices heard. However, in communities where there are community radio stations, the stations are helping create spaces for ordinary people to participate in public life by setting up radio listening clubs (RLCs). This article examines how RLCs offer ordinary people opportunities for mediated participation in public debate and for self-representation. Based on face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions and participant observation, the article argues that the organization of listeners into RLCs by community radio stations enables ordinary people to receive and discuss crucial information and hold debate on issues of interest. As such, the RLCs possess some characteristics of the public sphere; hence the reference to them as alternative public spheres

Active listening · Face (sociological concept · Functional illiteracy · Media studies · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Public sphere · Radio program · Representation (politics · Social science · Sociology · Communication · Media Studies and Communication

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