1st Edition

Digital Innovations and the Production of Local Content in Community Radio Changing Practices in the UK

By Josephine F. Coleman Copyright 2021

    This book offers an in-depth analysis of how local community radio practitioners have embraced the digital revolution.

    Digital Innovations and the Production of Local Content in Community Radio contextualizes the UK model of community radio, before focussing on specific case studies to examine how the use of digital technologies has affected local radio production practices. The book offers an overview of the new technologies, media forms, and platforms in radio production, shedding light on how digitalization is impacting the routines and experiences of a predominantly volunteer-based workforce. The author presents the argument that despite the benefits of digital media, traditional aspects of programme production continue to be of vital importance to the interpersonal relationships and values of community radio.

    This book will appeal to academics and researchers in the areas of communication, culture, journalism studies, media, and creative industries.

    Table of Contents

    1 Radio – a social technology

    Introduction

    Understanding radio as a social medium

    Digital technologies and the meaning of radio

    Community radio and its audiences

    Conclusion

    2 Framing community radio research

    Introduction

    Community radio in context – the global scene

    The evolution of non-mainstream radio in the UK

    Researching local community radio stations

    Conclusion

    3. Sites and sounds of community radio

    Introduction

    Home-produced local content for a hubless virtual radio station

    Producing content and building community at local stations

    Conclusion

    4. Practitioners and content production

    Introduction

    The radio station as a place for community

    The online spaces of community radio

    Digital technologies and producing radio content

    Diversity in community radio

    The impact of COVID-19 on the production of local content

    Conclusion

    5. Keeping radio local in the digital age

    Introduction

    Reflections on ‘progress’ and change

    The enduring value of local radio

    The business of community radio

    Recommendations for future research and practice

    Appendix: Table of community radio stations researched for this study

    Biography

    Josephine F. Coleman is Lecturer in Media and Public Relations at Brunel University London. Her first degree was in Geography from Cambridge. She has an MA in the History of Film and Visual Media and a PhD on community radio production practices from Birkbeck, University of London. She worked as promotions and PR Executive for an independent local radio network before joining Jazz FM in London. She later became a BBC local radio news journalist and presenter, having trained in community media both in the UK and in the USA. Josephine is also communications officer and former chair of the UK MeCCSA Radio Studies Network.