Freedom Waves: Giving People a Voice and Turning It Up! Tuning into the Free Radio Network in the Basque Country

Abstract

In this article we propose a historical chronicle about the role of the free radios and community spaces of social communication in the Southern Basque Country, analysing recent changes in this field and its implications. The Basque case is meaningful in two ways: quantitatively, because of the high number of these free radio stations since the eighties; and also, because of the current changes in the political context, a less conflictual scenario. Starting with an analysis of the contemporary reality of the Southern Basque Country and of two free radio stations – Hala Bedi Irratia and Eguzki Irratia – this article looks at the hybridisation between alternative social movements and media. We look at the progressive evolution towards stable funding formulas (memberships) and the openness and quality of this type of radio. Finally, we highlight a fundamental difference between media such as free radio in contrast to mass self-communication through ICTs: besides the message, the media is (self-)constructed collectively by those involved.