Feeding “the beast”. What it means to be a community radio presenter in the UK

What is it about?

This chapter explores what makes presenting radio shows meaningful, worthwhile and even compulsive. The intention is not to provide a single definitive explanation, rather, evidence is provided illustrating some of the felt, expressed and demonstrated motivations and impacts which help create a more nuanced appreciation of the practice. Thousands of volunteer practitioners are routinely spending multiple hours each week at home or in studio hubs keeping their programme schedules refreshed with content. Since it is rare for these presenters to be paid, their commitment is worth studying for what it might reveal about the allure of radio presenting more generally. What is it about these small local stations, licensed to pursue ‘social gain’ objectives, that motivates practitioners to constantly be sourcing, shaping and sharing media content such as magazine-style and conversational music shows to satisfy listeners’ appetites? The findings shared are derived from qualitative research and fieldwork conducted over a seven-year period including autoethnographic inquiry and an online questionnaire. It is found that presenting not only creates a sense of community for/with the listeners but strengthens a volunteer’s sense of belonging, identity and self-worth.

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Photo by ConvertKit on Unsplash

Photo by ConvertKit on Unsplash

Why is it important?

At a time when the professional radio industry is seeing continued staffing cuts and resource centralisation leading to a dramatic fall-off in employment, understanding what drives un-paid practitioners in the licensed local community sector feels relevant, especially as a lot of these laid-off pro's are now popping up on community radio schedules. There are self-serving benefits derived from radio presenting. Emotional attachments are created through mediated engagements, reinforced by in-person encounters. Yet, there are also certain tensions which need acknowledging if we are to understand how to harness what drives volunteer practitioners to pursue this lifestyle in order to help facilitate and support their continued commitment. Acknowledging and appreciating their dedication in the face of the pressures piled upon them to deliver social gain through entertainment and information provision as well as off-air activities, should inform decision making concerning how to care for them going forwards.

Perspectives