New book: Radio in Africa

“Radio has been called ‘Africa’s medium’. Its wide accessibility is a result of a number of factors, including the liberalisation policies of the ‘third wave’ of democracy and its ability to transcend the barriers of cost, geographical boundaries, the colonial linguistic heritage and low literacy levels. This sets it apart from other media platforms in facilitating political debate, shaping identities and assisting listeners as they negotiate the challenges of everyday life on the continent.”

“Radio in Africa: Publics, Cultures, Communities” was edited by Dina Ligaga, Dumisani Moyo and Liz Gunner. It brings together essays on the multiple roles of radio in the lives of listeners in Anglophone, Lusophone and Francophone Africa. For more info see the publisher’s presentation page – or read an excerpt here.