Community Radio in the Twenty-First Century

In the twenty-first century, community radio is fulfilling an increasingly important role in the world’s mediascape. This book documents the ways in which community radio broadcasters and activists are using the medium in countries around the world to challenge political corruption, aid the transition to political democracy and broadcast voices that are otherwise unheard. The contributors to the volume are academics and practitioners from five continents, many with first-hand experience of community radio. Each chapter demonstrates the pivotal role that small radio stations can play in developing, sustaining and invigorating communities. The book charts campaigns for the legalisation of community radio and relates them to a theoretical context, while providing illustrations and examples from community radio stations around the world.

Janey Gordon is a principal lecturer at the University of Bedfordshire, where she is the project co-ordinator for the university’s community radio station. She teaches radio broadcasting and her research interests and publications are in the areas of community radio, mobile phones and media pedagogy. She has a background as a professional broadcaster and started her career in radio at the BBC.