Surakarta— Neglected Narratives:
A Bibliometric Study of Community Radio Research in Communication Sciences
(1941–2025). This research was conducted by Panji Dwi Ashrianto, Ismi Dwi
Astuti Nurhaeni, Prahastiwi Utari, and Sri Hastjarjo from Sebelas Maret University
(UNS) Surakarta in a scientific article published in the East Asian Journal
of Multidisciplinary Research (EAJMR) in 2026.
Research conducted by Panji Dwi
Ashrianto, Ismi Dwi Astuti Nurhaeni, Prahastiwi Utari, and Sri Hastjarjo
revealed that community radio research is still dominated by governance and
public space issues, while the themes of social justice, gender, health, and
indigenous peoples have not been firmly integrated into the mainstream of
academic discourse.
Radio
survives amid the dominance of digital media
In an
increasingly digitized media ecosystem, radio is often considered an old
medium. But data shows community radio remains relevant, especially in areas
with limited internet infrastructure. Low operating costs, wide reach, and proximity
to the community make community radio effective for disseminating public
information, crisis communication, and strengthening local identity.
However, the
number of scientific publications on community radio is much less than
commercial radio. Of the 773 initial documents found in Scopus with the keyword
"community radio", only 211 articles met the strict criteria of the
social sciences field and the type of journal article for further analysis.
Post-pandemic
surge in publications
Annual
distribution shows publications about community radio have been around since
1941. However, a significant increase was only seen after 2000 and jumped
sharply in the 2019–2024 period.2023 recorded 15 publications and 2024 reached
19 publications—the highest number in the history of this study.
The research
team identified two main factors driving the surge:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for
community-based local communication.
- Digital transformation that drives the integration of
radio with social media and podcasting.
Community radio
is now evolving towards a hybrid model, blending conventional broadcasting with
digital platforms.
Australia is
dominant, Indonesia is still limited
Geographically,
Australia is the country with the largest contribution of publications (35
articles), followed by the United States (33), South Africa (23), and the
United Kingdom (16). Indonesia recorded seven publications in the same period.
Australia's
dominance is attributed to a strong and technology-adaptive community broadcasting
ecosystem. In contrast, in Indonesia, the issue of community radio
sustainability is still influenced by regulations and political support,
including the challenges of funding and management of community radio networks.
The three
main axes of community radio research
Through network
mapping using VOSviewer, this study found three main clusters in the community
radio study:
- Media governance and regulation (policy, regulation,
media system).
- Public space and citizen participation (public sphere,
citizenship, human rights).
- Digital convergence (social media, podcasting).
However,
women's and gender issues, indigenous media, health communication, climate
change, and social resilience are still on the fringes of the research map.
These themes do not yet have a strong connection with the larger policy
framework and public space. Researchers call these conditions "neglected
narratives" or narratives that have not received proportionate academic
attention.
Implications
for media policy and development
These findings
carry important messages for policymakers and media practitioners alike.
Community radio has not lost its relevance, but it requires adaptive regulatory
support and an operational model that is integrated with digital platforms.
The study
recommends several strategic steps:
1.
Continuous integration of radio–digital platform
models.
2.
Strengthening public policies that support the
sustainability of community radio.
3.
Cross-border research to broaden the perspective
of the Global South.
4.
Integration of gender, health, and social
justice issues in the main study framework.
According to the UNS research team, the low academic visibility should
not be interpreted as a decrease in the social urgency of community radio.
Quite the opposite, community radio has great potential as an alternative
public space in the era of digital disruption.
Author
profile
•
Panji Dwi Ashrianto – Sebelas Maret University
(UNS), Surakarta.
• Ismi Dwi Astuti Nurhaeni – Sebelas
March University.
• Prahastiwi Utari – Sebelas Maret University.
Sri Hastjarjo – Sebelas Maret University.
Research source
Ashrianto, P. D.,
Nurhaeni, I. D. A., Utari, P., & Hastjarjo, S. (2026). Neglected
Narratives: A Bibliometric Study of Community Radio Research in Communication
(1941–2025).
East Asian Journal of
Multidisciplinary Research (EAJMR), Vol. 5 No. 2, pp. 643–662.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/eajmr.v5i2.25
Official URL : https://journaleajmr.my.id/index.php/eajmr
0 Komentar