Functions of Community Media in the Slums of Nairobi

Context - Media Situation and Social Divides From colonial media to state media to commercial media A city of great contrasts More than 50% live in informal settlements 5% of the city’s land

Four functions of community media Contesting mainstream content Creating a public space Amplifying the voice of the voiceless Providing role models and employment opportunities for the youth

Contesting mainstream content “The perception of everybody else; the ghetto is just gutter. Outside it is viewed as hell on earth. So the perception from the viewership and the listener is like Ghetto is hell. Nothing good can come out of the Ghetto. So the perception coming out of the reflection by mainstream media is people in the ghetto are losers.” Alternative media producer

Contesting mainstream content The major goals and driving force of producing media Positive images - giving the slum dwellers something to be proud of Self-representation Kiswahili

Creating a public space/ Amplifying the voice of the voiceless “ You can see even the location of the X, it is strategic. It is next to the people. You find that the other radio stations are in town and the people are not living in town. The people are living in the slums, in the estates. So actually it is strategic placed to give information, to get the views of the common man living in the slums: their ideas, their opinions about their political, social, and economic development. Its main goal is to raise, to disseminate information to the common man.” Alternative media producer

Creating a public space/ Amplifying the voice of the voiceless A platform for debate - exchange ideas and opinions Network creator - linking different groups together Provide useful information - empower the people Remove sensible information The importance of location –Local content –Close relationship with community –Common man’s impact over the content Open door policy feedback

Providing role models and employment to the youth Youth from the slum Gain experience and learn a profession Voluntary work Give something back to the community Celebrate status Role models

Concluding remarks Democratisation of the media Democratisation through the media

What to do next? This study part of my PhD-project Focused on the producer’s perspective The audience perspective needed More observations to understand the interaction with the community Survey and group interviews with youth living in the slums Examine linkages between different spheres and groups in society –Community media vs. Mainstream media