Abstract:
This dissertation is the result of research on the functioning and challenge of community radio and focuses on the study of the Community Radio of the District of Homoíne (RCH). Despite the existence of community radio stations in the country, little academic research has been done to assess the functioning and challenges in the areas where they are located. Thus, the present study aims to analyze the operation of Homoíne community radio for local development. Data collection was based on a survey of 395 households, interviews with 26 key informants and observation of local radio insertion conditions. The results of the study show that radio is the most used means of communication in the district with around 83%, against 11.9% for TV and 5.1 for the written press. In relation to radio, 69.6% listen to local radio (RCH) and of these, 41.5% are men and 28.1% are women. Therefore, 43% of respondents say they listen every day, and Saturday and Sunday are the days they listen the most, as they spend a lot of time at home. One of the great motivations to listen more to RCH is due to the news that is of great interest (31%), the use of local languages (21%), since about 75% of programs are presented in Xitshwa, the local language. . In general, news (21%), sport (20%) and educational programs (18%), are the most heard programs. The study also notes that there is an association between listening to the radio and the level of education, with the most educated listening more diversified in relation to the less educated. Most listeners think that local radio participates in local development, as this medium disseminates information that allows, over time, to shape new forms of society organization and promotes citizenship and democracy. However, there is a limited participation of communities in the definition of radio programmatic content. Therefore, there is a need for community involvement in the development of programs in the local language, with a view to increasing their number. In addition to capitalizing on all the potential that the RCH presents, the RCH needs to overcome the weaknesses and threats associated with the absence of an editorial body, lack of financial and technical resources. (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)
