“Grab a pen and paper”

Abstract

In this paper we analyse the discursive frameworks for interaction in a UK political radio phone-in between 2001 and 2010, and the implications of those frameworks for public engagement with politicians. The BBC Radio 4 phone-in programElection Call, broadcast in the run-up to a general election, has experimented with ‘new’ interactive technology (TV simulcast, web broadcasting and e-mail) in its attempt to provide listeners with the opportunity to engage with politicians and political parties live on air. By 2010 however, the program had returned to the original ‘old’ media format of telephone interaction only. Building on previous research in the discourse of radio phone-in broadcasts (Hutchby 1996; Thornborrow 2001a, 2001b, 2002; Hester & Fitzgerald 1999; Fitzgerald & Housley 2002; Thornborrow & Fitzgerald 2002), our analysis focuses on the empirical implementation of the 2010 shift in editorial policy which explicitly invited callers to engage with issues rather than just giving opinions. We will argue that while interactivity may broaden access to democratic debate, it is through live interaction that callers are best able to challenge politicians and hold them to account. Keywords:Election Call; interaction; interactivity; media discourse; e-mail; political discourse; public engagement; radio phone-in

Patronage, politics and performance: radio call-in programmes and the myth of accountability

“…As described by Thornborrow and Fitzgerald, "Radio phone-in provides a rare context for direct interaction between members of the public and their political representatives, where voters can hold politicians to account for their policies by asking questions". 10 It is this latter dimension that has attracted particular attention in debates on development and post-conflict reconstruction, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. As they transcend barriers of cost and literacy levels, 11 call-in programmes have been interpreted as effective spaces where ordinary African citizens and community members can make their voices heard and freely express their views on public issues.…”