Assessment of Community Radio Practice: The Case of Jimma University Community-oriented Radio FM 102.0

Abstract

The importance of community radio especially in the developing world is significant to facilitate development goals and bring social change. However, there are claims from the community about their success. The main objective of this study is to assess community radio practice in the case of Jimma University Community-oriented Radio FM 102.0. The study examined the accessibility of JUCR to the community; how the community is participating in the station’s all levels of operations; who manages the station and what are the factors affecting JUCR’s practice of the above-mentioned principles. To assess the practice of JUCR vis-à-vis Community Radio Principles, a descriptive case study design was employed. The mixed-method is used and Data was collected using a group-administered survey questionnaire, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussion. The samples of the study are Jimma University, Jimma town, and Jimma Zone Agaro Woreda community members who listen to JUCR, an expert from EMA, JUCR manager, journalists, volunteers, producers, and JUCR former producer. These participants are selected using purposive sampling according to their relevance to the subject matter under study. The data gathered were analyzed thematically using tables, percentages, and qualitatively. Triangulation is used to complement the data gathered using both quantitative and qualitative data collection tools. The findings of the study showed that Jimma University Community-oriented Radio is accessible to the community in terms of coverage, quality, and language use but the community participation is limited to phone in’s and volunteers program production, all levels of the station’s operation, and self-management practice by the community is very low. In addition issues of the marginalized groups are not visible in JUCR programs. The findings also show that the station’s practice of access, participation, and self-management is affected by lack of proper supervision by the Ethiopian Media Authority, lack of defined structure, lack of strong management, lack of active board and general assembly members, and financial constraints. Finally, the study recommended that the Ethiopian Media Authority should strongly follow up the practice of community radios besides licensing them and also need to provide timely and professional training and the conflicting JUCR structures need to be rearranged, financial problems should be solved and community sense of ownership and belongingness should grow. And for this to happen, all stakeholders must come together and discuss the betterment of JUCR.