“Communities of strangerhoods?”: Internet, mobile phones and the changing nature of radio cultures in South Africa

Chiumbu, Sarah; Ligaga, Dina

doi:10.1016/j.tele.2012.02.004

Cited by 45 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Radio continues to be a dominant medium and social institution in Ghana, as elsewhere in Africa (Avle, 2011; Chiumbu and Ligaga, 2013; Coker, 2012; Mare, 2013; Mudhai, 2011; Willems, 2013). The heavy concentration of radio, particularly in urban areas, and the culture of public listening have made radio a part of the everyday soundscape of Ghana.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radio via mobile phones: the intersecting logics of media technologies in Ghana

Avle

2020

Media, Culture & Society

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This article argues that the material history of mobile phones as they took shape in Ghana reveals them to be essential parts of radio’s infrastructure; one that is social, informal, and transnational. Using the radio tuning feature on mobile phones as an emblematic device, this article unpacks the sociotechnical infrastructure underpinning radio’s continued dominance in Ghana, revealing the intersecting logics that help to sustain the media technology landscape in the country.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radio via mobile phones: the intersecting logics of media technologies in Ghana

Avle

2020

Media, Culture & Society

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“…This need is echoed by Obregon and Tufte (2013:54-57), who argue that HIV/AIDS-oriented externally initiated projects should explore drastic new directions that allow traditional audiences to participate by expressing their own views. Furthering this direction indicated by Obregon and Tufte, recent research on talk radio points to a strong link between identity formation processes and talking about the self through radio (see, for instance, Bosch 2014; Chiumbu & Ligaga 2013;Hungbo 2011aHungbo , 2011b.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Talk radio as the soundtrack of our lives: Participatory HIV/AIDS communication, public self-expression andPositive Talk

Burger

2015

SAHARA-J: Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS

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Despite the many HIV/AIDS communication initiatives, combined with support and infrastructural support in South Africa, risky behaviour associated with the spread of the epidemic is increasing amongst many groups. This calls for a re-evaluation of endeavours aimed at curbing the spread of the epidemic. This article is only concerned with the communicational aspects of the epidemic, but does not negate the interaction of these with other measures taken to address the epidemic. As is the case with most health communication initiatives, HIV/AIDS communication initiatives have evolved to favour the participatory approach above one-directional transmission of information to the public. The participatory approach rests on the assumption that an HIV/AIDS communication initiative stands the best chance of resulting in behaviour change if members of the target community participate in the communication initiative. The assumption is that as many people as possible should be involved in the maximum number of phases of the communicative initiative (such as initial research, planning, implementation and evaluation of the project). Some research has recently started to explore new forms of community participation, including inviting community participation through, for example, internet-based platforms such as social media, and mobile phone platforms such as WhatsApp and BBM. However, the reality broadcast genre -more specifically, talk radio -has been neglected, as only a few research investigations focused on talk radio and most of these are not exclusively about HIV/AIDS communication but focus on other health topics. From a participatory communication perspective, two sets of critique against the existing HIV/AIDS communication projects hold water: firstly, they do not make the maximum use of participatory communication principles and, secondly, they are externally initiated projects and emanate from outside the target community. To address both of these concerns, this article explores a wider range of participatory principles and the potential workings of these in an internally initiated communication initiative aimed at addressing the epidemic. More specifically, this article investigates ways in which radio listeners experience the reality broadcast genre -the talk radio show, Positive Talk -as participatory communication. Positive Talk is not an externally initiated project, as it is not part of a pre-planned, goal-oriented project that is owned and controlled outside the target community. In contrast, it has been initiated by Criselda Kananda, an individual not linked to any of the existing initiatives outside the community. She started the show to earn a living. She became a well-known person, is fairly knowledgeable in the field and was granted this opportunity as she is HIV-positive. In order to investigate how radio listeners use the show to engage in HIV/AIDS communication, 20 in-depth interviews were held with avid listeners of the show. The respondents indicated that they appreciate ordinary people pho...

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“…Just like other black African immigrants in South Africa, refugees have experienced xenophobic attacks and violence. South Africa has one of the highest refugee populations in Africa, while mobile phones are the most accessed form of ICT in the country (Chiumbu & Ligaga, 2013).…”

Section: Research Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The use of digital devices has significantly reduced the cost of many services, such as medical support, learning, and transport (Mancini, Sibilla, Argiropoulos, Rossi, & Everri, 2019). The increasing use of mobile phones also plays a significant role in South Africa's economic, social and political development (Chiumbu & Ligaga, 2013). Connectedness and integration through mobile phone usage can be deemed critical from a health perspective, and arguably also for building social cohesion.…”

Section: Benefits Of Mobile Phones In South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

How Refugees in South Africa Use Mobile Phones for Social Connectedness

Vuningoma

Lorini

Chigona

2021

C&T '21: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Communities &Amp; Technologies - Wicked Problems in the Age Of

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Background: Refugees find it difficult to integrate and assimilate in their host country because of a myriad of challenges. Mobile phones have become one of the main tools for promoting their wellbeing and supporting the integration of refugee communities on the margins of society. Mobile phones can contribute towards reducing isolation and loneliness, and assist in improving interpersonal relations and fostering processes of assimilation. The purpose of the research:The main objective of this study was to examine how the use of mobile phones by refugees in South Africa contributes to their social connectedness. To this end, the study discusses the role of mobile phones in the process of acculturation, in creating a sense of belonging, and in maintaining relationships.Design/methodology/approach: This research employed a qualitative method and an interpretivist epistemological perspective. A conceptual framework was developed on the basis of a literature review. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews and WhatsApp group chats, and analysed using thematic analysis. The interviewees comprised 27 refugees living in South Africa, and the WhatsApp group had 15 members. Findings:The findings demonstrate that the refugees face a multitude of obstacles, including language and culture barriers, the challenge of obtaining legal status, physical separation from their friends and family, and feelings of being judged, insecure, and excluded. Mobile phone usage offers refugees several benefits, especially through their affordances that include accessing information, pursuing economic and institutional opportunities, enabling communication, and developing linguistic and cultural knowledge of the host country. At the same time, mobile phones enable refugees to maintain connection with their country of origin. Refugees nevertheless considered it difficult to develop a sense of belonging through their use of mobile phones. Research contribution:This study adds to perspectives on utilising mobile phones to achieve social connectedness for two categories of refugees: newcomers and old-timers. The study contributes to theory by proposing a framework for understanding and analysing the relationship between social connectedness and mobile phones. The study contributes to knowledge through the investigative approach of using WhatsApp group chat to collect data. The findings can contribute to enabling non-profit organisations and UNHCR to develop strategies and processes for providing interventions for refugees.

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“Communities of strangerhoods?”: Internet, mobile phones and the changing nature of radio cultures in South Africa

Cited by 45 publications

References 19 publications

Radio via mobile phones: the intersecting logics of media technologies in Ghana

Radio via mobile phones: the intersecting logics of media technologies in Ghana

Talk radio as the soundtrack of our lives: Participatory HIV/AIDS communication, public self-expression andPositive Talk

How Refugees in South Africa Use Mobile Phones for Social Connectedness

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