Coming in from the margins: migrant voices, community broadcasting and social inclusion

This study provides fresh insights into the process of social exclusion by comparing it with the discourse of developmentalism to offer a wider theoretical understanding of the issues related to marginalisation and powerlessness. The study argues that people experiencing exclusion from the social and economic processes are further left out in a media environment largely biased against minorities, driven by commercial considerations and protected by tight regulatory regimes. As an alternative to this media situation, the thesis explores the role of small-scale and community-based media in developing a contextual approach to communication that can help to validate marginalised points of view, and develop a dynamic link between people‘s experiences and expression. These arguments are illustrated through a participatory action research project, using an interdisciplinary framework informed by a variety of emancipatory, spiritual and critical perspectives. Looking specifically at the pertinent issue of inequalities in health faced by the members of the Mirpuri community in the UK, the thesis examined the role of Radio Ramzan, a faith-based community broadcasting initiative, in facilitating a communicative interaction during a multi-agency health education campaign. The study established that peoples‘ reference to cultural practices and experiential knowledge empowers them to counter their situated, stigmatized and essentialised existences. Within this discourse, the study demonstrated that a community radio station can provide a socio-cultural context to develop and promote a holistic approach to deal with exclusion.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Nottingham Trent University

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Malik, FH

Language dc:language

en