This article examines the role of local radio in the contemporary media environment, specifically as a site for community engagement. Previous research finds journalistic organisations, at the local level, are critical to the functioning of society and more needs to be understood about their contemporary role amid destabilised and fragmented public discourse. In contrast to unrestrained and untrustworthy social media platforms, the mediation of local radio can assist in encouraging more inclusive, constructive, and respectful views from people from diverse sectors of society. Empirical research from a case study of a locally produced ABC Radio Community Conversation event exploring community tensions about built, heritage and environmental development in the Australian island state of Tasmania provides new insights into how the facilitation of local radio discussion can help build trust, public knowledge and enable greater participation. Listening and transparency from journalists about their practices is important, creating a space where people can connect in a civil and empathetic way not easily afforded by social media.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	community engagement, listening, local journalism, media literacy, news literacy, radio, trust
Research Division:	Language, Communication and Culture
Research Group:	Communication and media studies
Research Field:	Communication studies
Objective Division:	Culture and Society
Objective Group:	Communication
Objective Field:	The media
UTAS Author:	Nettlefold, JE (Dr Jocelyn Nettlefold)
ID Code:	151599
Year Published:	2022
Web of Science® Times Cited:	1
Deposited By:	Art
Deposited On:	2022-08-02
Last Modified:	2022-09-30
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