Sociologies of voice and language - radio broadcasting and the ethnic imperative

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	Sociologies of voice and language - radio broadcasting and the ethnic imperative
Author:	Mhlanga, Brilliant
Year:	2012
Periodical:	Journal of African Media Studies (ISSN 1751-7974)
Volume:	4
Issue:	2
Pages:	209-226
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	radio ethnic identity Tsonga
Abstract:	This article places ethnic radio stations in South Africa within the discourse of sociologies of voice and language using Munghana Lonene FM (ML FM) as a case study. The research was informed by a situated qualitative trajectory in which radio presenters and the radio station staff were interviewed. Radio broadcasting as a mass medium possesses the advantage of exploiting the sound, which uses voice and language to construct cultural symbols that create meanings. The article argues that the conversational approach used by ML FM of mixing music and talk in Tsonga encourages the creation of a form of 'we' feeling that translates into notions of ownership and belonging and empowerment. Local content usage in programming and music for the Tsonga as an ethnic group projects ML FM as the voice of the Tsonga people. Through different programmes, social meanings, symbols, world views and lifeworlds are created. ML FM can be seen as the conduit for the eschatologies of liberation and social transformation. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract, edited]