ABSTRACT

In the newly formed Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) association of five emerging national economies, Brazil and South Africa are the two countries with the strongest tradition of community radio. This chapter provides a description of the evolution and current state of community radio in Brazil and South Africa, highlighting strengths and current trends, similarities and differences, and also challenges despite its continued success in these countries. The key principles of community radio include access, participation, and self-management. Community radio continues to be a tool of education and development, both in rural and urban areas. Developments that have affected community radio considerably in recent times are the development of podcasts, the digitalization of radio/online radio, and social networking sites. Regarding journalism on community radio stations in the digital era, social networking sites like Facebook and the microblogging service Twitter are increasingly intersecting with traditional mainstream news outlets, resulting in more participatory news production.