The public’s active participation in news: The role of the voluntary radio of Thessaloniki

Abstract

Nowadays, one of the main axes of study of modern journalism is the participation of the public in the news production process, which is complex and multidimensional. The concept of public participation in the production of news is defined as the action taken by the public to influence the content of the news through their intentional actions. The aim of this research is to investigate the role of the active participation of citizens in the production of radio content and in the formation of listening options through the case study of the voluntary radio of the municipality of Thessaloniki. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among four individuals and head of institutions that used to host radio shows in the voluntary radio of the municipality of Thessaloniki. Through the content analysis it was concluded that this form of news production process promotes pluralism and citizens' access to a wide range of information while it strengthens the identity of specific communities and enables them to encounter the wider social spectrum. Furthermore, it promotes the fight against negative stereotypes and familiarization with social groups, which are at risk of social exclusion by contributing to awareness, engagement and participation of local communities.