Thesis (Ph. D.)--Georgia State University, 2008. / Title from file title page. Philo Hutcheson, committee chair; Richard Lakes, Marybeth Gasman, Joyce King, committee members. Description based on contents viewed Nov. 13, 2009. Includes bibliographical references (p. 159-165).

This study is a comparative examination of approaches to talk radio as a genre on three Ugandan radio stations. The aim is to draw conclusions, from observations made about these stations, about the potential of talk radio to encourage public debate around social issues and improve democratic participation despite pertinent challenges in Uganda. The study first outlines a theoretical framework, which is informed by Habermas's theory of the media as a 'public sphere'. This framework is applied to an exploration of traditions of talk radio that have emerged globally in order to assess the potential of these traditions to play a role in contributing to the establishment of such a 'public sphere'. The study then goes on to discuss the historical development of radio in Uganda and the establishment of the current broadcast landscape. The focus is on the way in which this history has been defined by a struggle around public expression, in which government has repeatedly sought ways to control media as a vehicle for public expression. It is proposed that Ugandan talk radio has the potential to play an important role in ensuring broad participation in public expression. It is against this background that the study then describes and analyses the development of the talk genre at three Ugandan radio stations (each one an example of, respectively, a commercial, community and public service station). It is explained that staff on all three stations emphasise the importance of talk radio in encouraging participation, by their audiences, in the public debate of social and political issues. It is argued that, because of limitations that exist within these stations, none of the talk show teams fully realize the potential of the genre for participation in such debate. The picture that emerges is one of unequal access, with those sections of radio audiences in positions of privilege being further empowered, while those on the margins remain excluded from public discussion. The study finally recommends ways to improve public participation on Ugandan talk radio, noting the need to review government support, the problems of organizational culture within the stations, the need for more guidelines on practical arrangements around talk show production and the question of contradictions that exist at policy level.

This study is a policy investigation of community radio broadcasting in Zambia. The emergence of this tier of broadcasting can be traced to the 1990s, following the country's policy of politico-economic liberalisation. The state broadcasting system had hitherto reigned supreme. Based upon a focused synthesis of a range of historical, political, policy, regulatory and other factors, within the context of participatory development communication, this study proposes a normative policy model for community radio broadcasting in Zambia. To begin with, the study focuses on the historical factors that have influenced the development of community radio broadcasting in the country, particularly in the period before and after 1991. This historical analysis establishes the fact that the shape that community radio broadcasting has assumed in Zambia is largely reflective of the state-centric policy-making regime. This policy-making regime is itself a legacy of British colonialism. Next, the study offers a conceptual framework of community radio broadcasting. It analyses several theoretical antecedents upon which the conceptual edifice of community radio broadcasting would seem to be built. In particular, the study explores the contributions of media effects and normative media theories towards the conceptual underpinnings of community radio broadcasting. Furthermore, as an attempt at establishing some empirical referents for developing a community radio broadcasting policy for Zambia, the study delves into a comparative analysis of trends in broadcast policy and regulatory practices throughout the world, with a special focus on Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Australia. This comparative policy analysis reveals differentiated levels of sophistication of policy-cum-regulatory models relating to community radio broadcasting. This provides a wealth of chequered experiences for Zambia to learn from. To further substantiate the case for a policy model, the study examines selected community radio initiatives in Zambia. Finally, based upon this focused synthesis, the study proposes a normative policy model for community radio broadcasting in Zambia. The policy proposal, informed by the assumptions of the group and organised anarchy models of policy-making, seeks to promote community radio broadcasting in terms of its vision, regulatory structures, funding, training, facilities, technology, production of local content and research. / Communication Science / D. Litt. et Phil.

Leung, Ka Kuen. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 167-180). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter Chapter 1 - --- Introduction --- p.1 / The Global Rise of Internet Independent Media --- p.1 / Hong Kong - The Rise of Internet Activism --- p.4 / Direction of the Study --- p.6 / Structure of the Thesis --- p.9 / Chapter Chapter 2 - --- Literature Review --- p.11 / Radical Democracy Citizenship --- p.11 / Citizens' Media as Political Space --- p.17 / Transition from Radio to Internet Radio --- p.23 / Chapter Chapter 3 - --- "Hong Kong Civil Society, Citizenship and Radio Industry" --- p.31 / Hong Kong Civil Society and Citizenship --- p.31 / The Political Inclination of Hong Kong Radio Broadcasting --- p.35 / Chapter Chapter 4 - --- Research Design and Methods --- p.40 / One-Case Design --- p.40 / Research Questions --- p.41 / Research Methods --- p.42 / Chapter Chapter 5 - --- The Denial of Radio Broadcast Rights in Hong Kong --- p.48 / Government Control of Broadcasting Policies --- p.49 / Powerlessness of the Political Society --- p.51 / Failed Promise of the Mainstream Media --- p.54 / Chapter Chapter 6 - --- The Rise of PRHK as Political Struggle --- p.57 / The Emergence of Internet Politics in 2003 --- p.58 / Anti-Tung Solidarity: Continuation of People Power --- p.62 / Internet Radio as Hot Property from 2003 to 2004 --- p.65 / Action-Reaction: Internet Radio as Transitional Project --- p.68 / Chapter Chapter 7 - --- PRHK as Radical Democratic Media Association --- p.72 / PRHK as Participatory Citizens' Media --- p.72 / PRHK as Self-managed Media Association --- p.84 / Chapter Chapter 8 - --- PRHK as Radical Democratic Media Site --- p.98 / Positioning of PRHK Media Operation --- p.98 / Independent Internet Radio Programs --- p.113 / Citizens Matter More Than the Platform --- p.123 / Chapter Chapter 9 - --- Conclusion and Discussion --- p.129 / Summary of Findings --- p.129 / Broader Implications --- p.134 / Limitations of the Study and Further Suggestions --- p.142 / Concluding Remarks --- p.145 / Appendices --- p.147 / Bibliography --- p.167

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Social Sciences

This study will examine the role sport plays in a new democratic South Africa between the periods 1994-2002. Its objective is to look at how sport can be used, through the medium of radio, as a unifying activity in the diversified South African society. The study will specifically compare the broadcast of soccer and rugby on the two radio stations (Ukhozi FM and Umhlobo Wenene FM). The main aim is to explain the relevance of the inclusion of sport into the programmes of the two radio stations mentioned above, in the period 1994-2002. This comparative approach will also explain the extent to which the listeners of these stations understand the sporting codes mentioned (soccer and rugby) now compared to how they did before 1994. This study was undertaken because there is little of its kind (if any) that looks at the power of sport broadcasting on radio in changing people's mindsets, attitudes and misconceptions regarding soccer and rugby in a new South African context. There is also little literature available that looks specifically at how Ukhozi FM and Umhlobo FM listeners relate to the broadcast of these popular but diverse codes after the end of apartheid regime. The conclusions drawn up in this study show that radio is still powerful in changing people's behaviour and attitudes not only about different sporting codes aired on radio but also in the effort to promote unity among South Africans regardless of cultural, ethnic racial and genderdifferences. In this regard, radio does cross divides created by issues of colour, culture, gender, age and racial differences. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

This study is a policy investigation of community radio broadcasting in Zambia. The emergence of this tier of broadcasting can be traced to the 1990s, following the country's policy of politico-economic liberalisation. The state broadcasting system had hitherto reigned supreme. Based upon a focused synthesis of a range of historical, political, policy, regulatory and other factors, within the context of participatory development communication, this study proposes a normative policy model for community radio broadcasting in Zambia. To begin with, the study focuses on the historical factors that have influenced the development of community radio broadcasting in the country, particularly in the period before and after 1991. This historical analysis establishes the fact that the shape that community radio broadcasting has assumed in Zambia is largely reflective of the state-centric policy-making regime. This policy-making regime is itself a legacy of British colonialism. Next, the study offers a conceptual framework of community radio broadcasting. It analyses several theoretical antecedents upon which the conceptual edifice of community radio broadcasting would seem to be built. In particular, the study explores the contributions of media effects and normative media theories towards the conceptual underpinnings of community radio broadcasting. Furthermore, as an attempt at establishing some empirical referents for developing a community radio broadcasting policy for Zambia, the study delves into a comparative analysis of trends in broadcast policy and regulatory practices throughout the world, with a special focus on Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Australia. This comparative policy analysis reveals differentiated levels of sophistication of policy-cum-regulatory models relating to community radio broadcasting. This provides a wealth of chequered experiences for Zambia to learn from. To further substantiate the case for a policy model, the study examines selected community radio initiatives in Zambia. Finally, based upon this focused synthesis, the study proposes a normative policy model for community radio broadcasting in Zambia. The policy proposal, informed by the assumptions of the group and organised anarchy models of policy-making, seeks to promote community radio broadcasting in terms of its vision, regulatory structures, funding, training, facilities, technology, production of local content and research. / Communication Science / D. Litt. et Phil.

The Kingdom of Lesotho undertook a number of liberalisation initiatives in broadcasting in the late 1990s. These include several attempts to formulate the media policy document as well as the opening of the airwaves for private broadcasting in 1998. However, Lesotho has not yet succeeded to remove the government control of the broadcasting sector. This thesis examines the process of liberalisation in Lesotho's broadcasting. It assesses the media policy as reflected in several policy documents. It further evaluates the introduction of independent regulation in broadcasting sector in 2001. The thesis argues that the government has not been fully committed to liberalisation of broadcasting sector and, as a result, it continues to control the sector. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Radio broadcasting is usually classified as either a public broadcasting service or as being commercially driven. In the South African context, the concept of community radio has further complicated the definition of a public broadcasting service. While profit motivation and niche marketing characterize a radio driven by commercial means, community radio is predominantly non-profit oriented, directed towards a particular community. A public broadcasting service is, amongst other elements, typified as being geographically accessible to all and of paying particular attention to minority groups. Lotus FM, a radio station that came into existence on 16 January 1983, for the South African Indian community, describes itself as a "national public service-cum-commercial broadcaster with community responsibility". The South African Indian community, a minority group within the broader South African population, comprises of five language groups (Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu, Tamil and Telegu) and three religious groupings (Hinduism, Islam and Christianity). This research aims to explore the feasibility with which Lotus FM is accommodating the conflicting interests of being a melange of all three forms of broadcasting and reflecting it via its programmes. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.

All over the world - except underdeveloped countries - many religious congregations worship in 'electronic churches'. This represents one of the 20th century's great religious achievements. Societies have become the comfortable beneficiaries of their newly invented technologies. However, since 1995 the phenomenon of FM community radio has been growing rapidly. It has become a new way to meet the public service communication need for entertainment, education and information in a very professional way. Religious community radio stations are a new and growing mode of transmission, and the object of this research is to highlight the development and growth of the religious community radio as a better way of providing communication services to religious groups. All churches and religious groups take it for granted that mass media have a role in the erosion of religious values. Yet they also proclaim that mass media provide the only means to reach out behind atomic individuals' closed doors, communicating intimately with the millions souls in that universe. My research uses the example of a South African community radio station, Radio Khwezi at Kwasizabantu Mission, to show (i) how a religious group has managed to create a viable non-denominational community service; and (ii) that regulatory and operational problems can be overcome in a suitable environment of regulation. I conclude that there is no need for mainstream religious groups to feel threatened by electronic media, that the mass media are an extension of the good tidings of the kingdom of the Lord. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.