The Promotion of Democracy at the Grass-roots: The Example of Radio in Mali

With the advent of multi-partyism, the West African state of Mali has seen the liberalization of the airwaves and a dramatic expansion in the numbers of privately owned radio stations. A background to the development of both urban and rural stations is given and a discussion follows as to radio's actual and potential role in defining and defending a democratic culture. The overt political stance of the urban stations is compared and contrasted with the more subtle forms of democratic education used by rural studios. Problems relating to funding, sustainability, bias, regulation and popular access are discussed. The examination concludes that despite facing many problems radio is an important force for the promotion of civil society and a democratic culture in Mali.