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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Measuring the 'democratic' quality of radio news: experiences from Liberia
Authors:Spurk, ChristophISNI
Lopata, SharonISNI
Keel, Guido
Year:2010
Periodical:Journal of African Media Studies (ISSN 1751-7974)
Volume:2
Issue:2
Pages:173-192
Language:English
Geographic term:Liberia
Subjects:radio
journalism
freedom of the press
Abstract:There is a general consensus that media are an essential element of democracy if they fulfil particular quality requirements in their reporting. Abundant literature deals with media quality from a theoretical perspective, but empirical knowledge on journalistic practice with regard to its role in democratization is rare, and this is even more so in the case of African countries. First, this article seeks to assess the quality of radio in Liberia, which is the country's most popular medium. Second, the article tests a specific methodology - R. Dahl's minimalist model of democracy theory - in order to measure the contribution of radio to democracy. News broadcasts of four radio stations were analysed: the internationally funded Star Radio, Truth FM, which belongs to a commercial broadcaster, Radio Veritas, founded by the Catholic Church, and ELBC, the radio branch of the State-owned LBS (Liberian Broadcasting System). The authors argue that radio stations in Liberia differ strongly in their quality, each with specific shortcomings. These findings are confirmed by interviews with civil society representatives and by audience research. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]
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