Development communication: An assessment of the impact of development content in fm radio stations in kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the factors hindering effectiveness of development programs broadcast by FM radio stations. This study serves as a guide and source of information to FM radio stations to help them reach their target audiences more effectively as concerns development issues. The researcher used content analysis, face to face interviews and a survey questionnaire as data collection tools. The researcher randomly selected 10 FM radio stations to take part in the study, together with 100 randomly selected households in Kangemi location for the survey. The study revealed that few FM radio stations had development programs in their schedules and that the most programming time was taken up by music and entertainment. The study also revealed that the audiences preferred development content in specific areas such as business investments, use of CDF funds, and agriculture among others and that language and timing were some of the hindrances. The researcher has given several recommendations to producers of programs to package development programs in an interesting way to capture and sustain audiences. Time when programs are presented and language used are some of the faetors to be considered in the programs.