Private passion, public neglect

Abstract

Although radio is still the most important mass medium in many developing countries, in richer parts of the world visual media have come to dominate resource allocation, policy-making, academic study - and consequent media attention. This article notes the paradoxical effect of this vicious circle of neglect, in which radio is accorded little status in the public sphere yet is a significant element in the private lives of individual listeners. Historical reasons for public and academic neglect are advanced, and the author’s Radio Research Project is summarized. The project aims to redress this situation in the UK and hopes to form partnerships in other countries where scholars are attempting to give radio the attention it deserves.