Uses and Gratifications: Radio as a Channel for Citizen Participation in Devolved Governance of Kisii County, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2022-11-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Daystar University School of Communication
Abstract
Founded on uses and gratifications theory, the present research examines how Egesa FM radio facilitates citizen participation on issues of governance in Kisii County, Kenya. To be specific, the study examines the motives of using Egesa FM to participate in public discussions related to governance in Kisii County. In the same vein, it investigates how the most-dominant motive varies by demographics (gender, age, and education). Second, the research explores the gratifications derived from participating in public discussions on governance in Kisii County via Egesa FM. In the same context, it investigates how the most common gratification varies by demographics (gender, age, and education). In addition, the study examines how satisfied listeners are in using the radio to participate in public discussions about governance in the county. Last, it explores challenges faced by listeners when participating in public discussion about governance of Kisii County.
Findings show that the main motive for using Egesa FM is participating in discussing issues that touch on development projects (24.8%), followed by planning and administration (15.5%). When the main motive is analysed by demographics, women by over a half (57.8%) dominate the debates on development projects. By age, those between 34 and 41 years (37.8%) take the lead, followed closely by 26-33 years (36.8%). On education, diploma graduates dominate (30.0%), while certificate holders come second (27.9%). On the other hand, the main gratification which listeners derive from participating on governance issues is “receiving news and information about their county” (71.1%). When the main gratification is analysed by demographics, women (52.4%), those aged 26-33 years (35.3%), and diploma holders (28.3%) take the lead just as is the case with the main motive (development projects). Further, the findings show that the vast majority of the participants (89.1%) are satisfied with using Egesa FM as a platform for engaging on matters of Kisii County governance. Last, three major challenges face the participants when using the radio station to discuss governance agenda - poor telephone connectivity, lack of acknowledgement from the programs hosts, and harassment from fellow listeners.
Description
MASTER OF ARTS
in Communication
Keywords
Uses, Gratifications, Radio, Channel, Kisii County, Citizen Participation, Devolved Governance
Citation
Nyaboke .L.N.(2022).Uses and Gratifications: Radio as a Channel for Citizen Participation in Devolved Governance of Kisii County, Kenya:Daystar University School of Communication(Thesis)