What Makes Radio Listening Clubs as a Participatory Communication for Development Platform Work? A Case Study of Monkey Bay, Malawi

Abstract

This case study used qualitative ethnographic research methods, notably focus group discussions, Most Significant Change (MSC) narratives, and key informant interviews, to investigate drivers and the impact of Radio Listening Clubs (RLCs) as a participatory communication platform for development in Malawi. It concludes that personal commitment and innovativeness of members are the key drivers of RLC success. Radio Listening Clubs whose members are active, innovative and committed are more impactful than those clubs whose members are passive and uncommitted to the objectives of the RLC. Since emerging evidence indicates that the RLC platform is an effective development and critical empowerment tool, the study recommends that radio-based communication for development interventions should be accompanied by some form of RLC or community conversation platform to ensure fruitful exchanges among duty bearers, community members, and the media. Radio Listening Club establishment should be preceded by a community readiness assessment to embrace the tool to avoid resource wastage.

Assessing the Efficacy of Audio Media Technology in Enhancing Financial Literacy Knowledge of Radio Listening Club Members. A Case of Selected Rural Communities in Western Uganda

“…RLCs enlighten and teach the community members to be self-reliant in the management of their problems. They act as a voice for the voiceless members of the community who have no other platform to express their views (Manda, 2015). The study adds that since the RLCs seem to influence social change, awareness, attitudinal change and development, the study endorses the formation of RLCs for radio-based communication for development interventions.…”

The significance of ‘loud’ and ‘quiet’ forms of audience participation to community radio in Niger and Mali

“…RLCs discuss their community needs and problems, which are recorded, edited and converted into programmes with responses from experts and policymakers for broadcast. Listeners then discuss the broadcast and provide feedback on the extent to which their needs have been fully addressed (Manda 2015;Manyozo 2012). This approach involves the direct, or 'loud', participation of community members and ensures a way in which topics of main importance to them are foregrounded which might not have been the case had the choice of subject been left up to others.…”

“…Radio listening clubs (RLC) are spaces where members can discuss and react to community radio broadcasting. RLCs allow audience members to engage and dialogue directly with CRSs (Manda 2015;Mchakulu 2007;Mhagama 2015b;Nyirenda et al 2018).…”