Community Radios’ Broadcasting Services and Socio-Economic Development in Western Uganda: A case of Selected Communities in Mbarara District

Author (s)

Sabiiti Mulema Posiano, Faustino L. Orach-Meza & Regis Zombeire, Nkumba

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine how community radios’ broadcasting services fostered socio-economic development in Mbarara District among communities. The objectives of the study were; 1) To  examine the extent to which community radios` broadcasting services have contributed to the socio-economic development of communities in Mbarara District, Uganda, 2) To assess the effect of community radios` health broadcasting services on radio listenership among communities in Mbarara District, Uganda, 3) To analyze the relationship between community radios` listenership and socio-economic development of communities in Mbarara District, Uganda. The research design for this study was a cross sectional survey employing both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires. Qualitative data was collected using both interview and FGD schedules as research instruments. The study surveyed 250 respondents and quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics; frequency distributions, cross tabulations, correlation analysis and regressions. Path analysis was lastly conducted examining the various conducted variables as a way of assessing the casual models established in the different objectives. Qualitative data analysis was done using theoretical propositions. Structural Equation Modeling was conducted to ascertain the functional relationships where a hypothesized model upon which the fitting of a structural Equation model was based. The result shows educational broadcasting (β =0 .716, p = 0.000. statistically significant direct effect on socio-economic development. Educational Broadcasting having a positive effect on level of participation in radio programs aired (β = 0.346, p = 0.000) and frequency of radio listening (β = 0.174, p = 0.007). Furthermore, goodness of-fit results show a Root mean squared error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.201. This result shows a poor fit for the full model since RMSEA is greater than 0.1. Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.689 is poor fit in predicting socio-economic development. In order to get a model that fits better, Structural equation modelling was again conducted. Result shows factors statistically significant indirect effect on socio-economic development of communities include; educational having a positive effect on level of participation in radio programs aired (β = 0.297, p = 0.001) and frequency of radio listening (β = 0.187, p = 0.003).This study developed a Sustainable community conscientious Operational Radio Enterprise (SCORE) Model that can be used in Community based Radios’ Broadcasting Services to enhance socio-economic development among listeners.

 Keywords: Community, Community radio, Broadcasting, Program, Socio-Economic Development.

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Cite This Article:

Sabiiti Mulema Posiano, Faustino L. Orach-Meza & Regis Zombeire, Nkumba (2020). Community Radios’ Broadcasting Services and Socio-Economic Development in Western Uganda: A case of Selected Communities in Mbarara District. International Journal of Science and Business, 4(8), 23-39. doi: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3959076

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About Author (s)

Sabiiti Mulema Posiano (corresponding author), PhD Student, Nkumba University, Entebbe, Uganda.

Prof. Faustino L. Orach-Meza, Senior Lecturer, Nkumba University, Entebbe, Uganda.

Dr. Regis Zombeire, Nkumba, Senior Lecturer, Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3959076