Digital Innovations and the Production of Local Content in Community Radio

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.

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.

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