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.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Janey Gordon: Introduction - Peter Lewis: 'It's Only Community Radio': The British Campaign for Community Radio - Brandy Doyle: Low Power Community Radio in the US: The Beginnings, the First Ten Years and Future Prospects - Lisa Brooten: When Commercialism and Militarization Prevail: Examining Community Radio in the Philippines - Evan Light: From Pirates to Partners: The Legalization of Community Radio in Uruguay - S. M. Shameem Reza: From Elite Perceptions to Marginal Voices: Community Radio in Bangladesh - Janey Gordon: Community Radio, Mobile Phones and the Electromagnetic Spectrum - Kerrie Foxwell: The Rise of Community Mass Media: Some Implications for Classic Media Theory - Donald R. Browne: What is 'Community' in Community Radio? A Consideration of the Meaning, Nature and Importance of a Concept - Susan Forde/Michael Meadows: Facilitating Public Conversations: The Role of the 'Citizen' in Community Radio and Alternative Journalism - Nick Rubin: Music Based Community Radio as Alternative Media - Michael Huntsberger: 'My Show is a Public Service': How Values of Free Expression and Professionalism Influence Community Radio Organizations - Mary Traynor: Ducking the Party Line: Lessons in Community Radio from Laos and China - Gabriella Velics: The Changing Situation of Hungarian Community Radio - Kennedy Javuru: Community Radio in East Africa: For or By the Community? - Last Moyo: Community Radio and Cultural Citizenship: Reflections on Radio Islam and Democratic Citizenship in South Africa - Caroline Mitchell: Praxis and Participation in Community Radio Training in Europe - Emma Ward/Tom Buckham/Lawrie Hallett: Practical Community Radio Audience Measurement - Janey Gordon: The Role of University Radio in the Development of Community Radio Stations: A History.

About the Author :
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.