An Assessment of Audience Participation in Community Radio Programing, Production and Content Delivery

Abstract

This study was underpinned by the democratic participant theory, which avers that audience participation in radio programing, production and content delivery plays a key role in awareness creation. The study applied the theory to investigate the level of audience participation in a community radio in Kenya, Togotane FM. Togotane FM is broadcasts among the Kuria community, who are one of the few groups that still practice female genital mutilation in Kenya. Data were collected from 399 main respondents and 51 key informants who included Togotane FM staff and community resource persons. The study found that the level of community participation in programing, production and content delivery is very low, and the conmunity only participates in giving feedback during live shows, or after the shows. Based on this, the study recommends greater audience participation.