Preserving indigenous minority languages through community radio in development programmes in Malawi

Abstract

This study explores the extent to which two community radio stations have transcended the social development agenda and contributed  to facilitating retention of indigenous cultures in the locality where they operate. In Malawi, community radio stations established and  funded by international development aid agencies have become a powerful and effective tool for empowering marginalised societies in  rural areas. Radio in this context acts as a medium for social mobilisation, facilitating the interface between communities and duty  bearers on community social development issues. Specifically, local indigenous languages are used to ease communication challenges  and increase effective public participation in local programmes that are often aired on community radio stations. Using ethnolinguistic  vitality and development media as frameworks, the study analysed data on the use of broadcasting as a tool for community  empowerment, education, information sharing and awareness. The findings establish that apart from amplifying indigenous voices on  issues that matter to their communities, the community radio stations through social development programmes have also influenced the  preservation of different cultural attributes, including languages. Thus, the article concludes that the programmes in local languages  have improved the people’s capacity to claim their rights and has enabled access to essential information for widespread understanding  and cultural continuity.