Interview: Can interactive radio influence local politics?

13th February 2015 was World Radio Day – an international event supported by UNESCO to celebrate the unique power of radio. As radio is central to Africa’s Voices work, we were keen to join in the celebrations.

Sharath Srinivasan, Director of Africa’s Voices, spoke at the World Radio Day SOAS event, along with other leading organisations that harness the reach and popularity of radio. You can listen to the presentation below.

Radio as a galvanising force

On the day of the event, Sharath was interviewed by SciDev.Net and asked about radio as a tool for political and social debate. Using findings from research in Kenya, Zambia, and Uganda, Sharath explains how radio discussions can shift power relations between citizens and policymakers. “Radio becomes a galvanising force in which the voices through interactive shows legitimate a position, and often governance actors feel obliged to act and respond.”

Listen to the interview here:

Top photo by InternewsEurope

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