What is it about?
Radio drama has been used in different ways across the world. Some programs were brought from Western countries to postcolonial regions as part of 'cultural development aid.' One key player in this was Deutsche Welle, which trained people in radio production. However, these programs often ignored local voices and power imbalances. Instead of true cultural exchange, they sometimes acted as a new form of colonial influence. This article looks at how these radio dramas spread, the challenges they created, and how local creators have found ways to use them for their own empowerment.
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Why is it important?
This article is important because it shows how radio drama has been used to influence cultures, sometimes in ways that continue colonial power. It helps us understand how media from the West shaped local radio in postcolonial countries and why it is important to recognize these power structures. At the same time, it highlights how local creators have taken control and used radio drama for their own voices and stories. Understanding this history can help us support more equal and creative global media exchanges.
Perspectives
I grew up with cassette tapes and listened to radio dramas alone, without anyone explaining them to me. These stories had a big impact on me. They shaped how I see the world and understand storytelling. This is why I find it important to look at how radio drama travels across borders. Who controls the stories? Who gets to tell them? And how do they influence listeners in different cultures? By studying this, I hope to understand the power of radio drama and how it can be used for both control and empowerment.
Ina Schenker
Universitat Bremen
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Travelling Transnationalism? Radio Drama Series between Repression and Empowerment, August 2024, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.30965/9783846768549_008.
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