Discourses of Community Radio; Social Gain Policies in Practice

Stevenson, S (2019) Discourses of Community Radio; Social Gain Policies in Practice. Doctoral thesis, Birmingham City University.

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Abstract

This research explores how three community radio stations in Birmingham (the UK’s second largest city) conceptualise and articulate social gain policy objectives in practice, in the context of their own communities. Social gain is a key aspect of the community radio licencing framework in the UK and as a central tenet, each criterion was designed to ensure stations focus their activity and output around representing and serving the identified community. Much of the previous work into community radio has focussed on its potential for serving underrepresented communities where there are gaps in provision. In the UK, public service is the domain of the BBC and community radio is often discussed as an alternative rather than an extension of public service provision. As such, community radio receives limited financial support and funding streams are restricted.

This research draws from interviews and observations in community radio environments to understand how those working in each station articulate social gain in practice. The research found that articulations of social gain have changed since each station was licenced as a result of wider changes to the political economy of radio. Therefore, each station has relied on a Station Manager to understand the discourse of policy outlined in the station’s key commitments and articulate it as a discourse of purpose to volunteers to ensure they produce culturally and contextually appropriate programming. However, as wider radio landscapes have changed, so too have the practices of community radio. Where a strong infrastructure has been created with key figures in place, the research outlines how each station has adapted their activity to keep the station on air in these new climates. However, where key elements are missing from the structure articulating social gain has been impeded.

This thesis outlines the specific factors that facilitate and impede the articulation of social gain through contemporary community radio. The growing tensions between articulating social gain objectives as policy and delivering these in practice is in danger of overshadowing the principles at the very core of community radio. Therefore, a re-consideration of social gain to continue to develop communities is called for.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Dates:
Date
Event
21 December 2018
Submitted
21 October 2019
Accepted
Uncontrolled Keywords: Community Radio, Social Gain, Policy, Radio
Subjects: CAH24 - media, journalism and communications > CAH24-01 - media, journalism and communications > CAH24-01-05 - media studies
Divisions: Doctoral Research College > Doctoral Theses Collection
Faculty of Arts, Design and Media > College of English and Media
Depositing User: Jaycie Carter
Date Deposited: 30 Jul 2024 09:04
Last Modified: 30 Jul 2024 09:04
URI: https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15678

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