| dc.description.abstract | The role of the media, or even more specifically of community radio, in peace building is an
already told story. However, as the concept of community radio spreads wide, there is need to
refine that body of knowledge that deals with its efficiency and suitability for peace building.
This project takes the opportunity presented by the 2007/2008 post election violence to assess the
strengths and weaknesses of community radio. This is an in-depth study of the contribution and
challenges of a particular community radio station (Pamoja FM) cast on a backdrop of a basic
understanding of the media’s contribution in general.
The study adopted a qualitative approach to data collection and analysis. Data was collected
mainly through focus group discussions, oral interviews, books, journal articles, and newspaper
articles. The study hinges on two theories i.e. the agenda setting theory and the Marxist theory of
the media both of which place community radio ahead of the rest in community service. That
notwithstanding, the study finds Pamoja FM’s performance particularly outstanding: the station
was able to generate and effectively disseminate peace messages to the population thereby
playing a pivotal role in institutionalizing peace in Kibera. This study is however not a
celebration of a single case but a close look at what practices can be retained and what needs to
be fixed. This study asserts that national peace machineries should tone down on the obsession
with national media and pay attention to those community media especially radio stations
genuinely committed to peace work. | en_US |
