Voicing lived-experience and anti-racism: podcasting as a space at the margins for subaltern counterpublics

Abstract

Almost 18 years after the podcast medium first emerged, 2018 has witnessed its resurgence. With approximately six million (11%) of the UK population now listening to podcasts in an average week, the podcast renaissance raises new questions about the relationship between cultural production, consumption and representation. This paper explores the significance of the new wave of podcasts, specifically with regards to racial politics in the UK and its potential power as an anti-racist tool. Through a series of interview and focus group discussions with black and Asian podcasters in the UK, it asks what role podcasts play in providing an alternative space for 'communities of resistance'. These issues are examined against the dual contexts in the UK of an intensifyingly hostile environment for black and minority ethnic groups and a digital and creative sector marked by social and cultural inequalities. The article suggests that in a 'post fact' international climate of disinformation that bolsters populist rhetoric around minority cultural groups, podcasts have become a rare space for articulating the lived experiences of these groups, whilst also challenging broader patterns of racialized disenfranchisement, including in the creative industries. Podcasts facilitate new forms of social affiliation and antiracism; which we analyse through Fraser's concept of "subaltern counterpublics" to unveil the interruptive potentiality of the medium for marginalised communities seeking to make accessible alternative representations and perspectives on the relationship between race and society.

Untitled

“…Podcasts are an open platform for communication where people can explore and discuss issues that interest or concern them (Vrikki and Malik, 2019). This interactive medium activates political discussions, which might lead to political participation.…”

“…It is becoming popular with the development of audio technology and the spread of smartphone. Easy access to downloads and developments in technology have facilitated prominent a position of podcasts in the digital cultural industries (Vrikki and Malik, 2019). They enable an audience to time-shift: People can download them and tune in whenever they want (McClung and& Johnson, 2010).…”

Future of the BBC Radio and the BBC Asian Network

“…Increasingly minority groups are producing their own self-representation online-thus bypassing the requirement for public service organisations to frame and establish the agenda on the issues they wish to explore. Vrikki and Malik (2019) suggest podcasting is an emerging space where marginalised communities can create a "counterpublic" to dominant racialised narratives presented in the mainstream press. Hendricks and Mims (2018) suggest in the USA 40 per cent of the podcasting audience is non-white.…”

“…Thus, the innovation and experimentation in podcasting has taken place external to mainstream media organisations. Vrikki and Malik (2019) outline that this is because the dominant cultures and frameworks in the creative industries work to prevent minority ethnic staff from taking part in the first place. They also suggest that algorithms are the new gatekeepers in social media and at Spotify and that they contribute to the maintenance of existing race and class inequality (Vrikki and Malik 2019).…”

“…Vrikki and Malik (2019) outline that this is because the dominant cultures and frameworks in the creative industries work to prevent minority ethnic staff from taking part in the first place. They also suggest that algorithms are the new gatekeepers in social media and at Spotify and that they contribute to the maintenance of existing race and class inequality (Vrikki and Malik 2019). The majority of podcasters and their content exist on the fringes of mainstream media; therefore, their influence and message remain restricted to their target audience.…”