Document details

Broadcasting Democracy: Radio and Identity in South Africa

Cape Town: HSRC Press (2017), vii, 176 pp.

Contains bibliogr. pp. 157-169, index

ISBN 978-0-7969-2542-8

Signature commbox: 151:30-General 2017

"The media play a key role in post-apartheid South Africa and is often positioned at the centre of debates around politics, identity and culture. Media, such as radio, are often said to also play a role in deepening democracy, while simultaneously holding the power to frame political events, shape public discourse and impact citizens' perceptions of reality. Broadcasting Democracy: Radio and Identity in South Africa provides an exciting look into the diverse world of South African radio, exploring how various radio formats and stations play a role in constructing post-apartheid identities. At the centre of the book is the argument that various types of radio stations represent autonomous systems of cultural activity, and are 'consumed' as such by listeners. In this sense, it argues that South African radio is 'broadcasting democracy." (Back cover)
1 Introduction: Broadcasting democracy, 1
2 Public service broadcasting: A brief history of radio in South Africa, 15
3 Community Radio: Subaltern counterpublics, 49
4 Commercial talk radio and the public sphere, 77
5 Commercial music radio and identity: Good Hope FM and Metro FM as case studies, 103
6 Radio convergence and online public spheres, 125
7 Conclusions: The future of radio in South Africa? 153