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| Title: | Negotiating the use of native languages in emerging pluralistic and independent broadcast systems in Africa |
| Author: | Blankson, Isaac Abeku |
| Year: | 2005 |
| Periodical: | Africa Media Review (ISSN 0258-4913) |
| Volume: | 13 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| Pages: | 1-22 |
| Language: | English |
| Notes: | biblio. refs. |
| Geographic terms: | Africa Ghana |
| Subjects: | broadcasting radio indigenous languages communication Mass media and language Native language |
| External link: | https://www.academia.edu/68158244 |
| Abstract: | Since the democratic reforms in African countries in the 1990s, competitive independent and pluralistic broadcastings, particularly radio, have emerged and are providing channel and programme diversity for the first time. Independent radio has promoted civic discourse and sociopolitical awareness and is a force for social and political integration and accountability. However, these positive developments should not obscure the fact that Africa's emerging independent radio has also become an avenue for corroding the languages and cultures of the continent. Broadcasters have not favoured native languages, privileging instead the languages of the former European colonizers. Using the experiences of Ghana's radio, this article raises important questions about the relationship between Africa's native languages and the development of a truly African broadcasting system. It calls for a re-examination of the belief that the multilingual character of African societies does not serve broadcasting well. It argues that a truly African broadcasting system that allows for mass participation can develop only if African broadcasters and policymakers address the native language issue. Bibliogr., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract, edited] |
