Abstract

SARTORETTO, Paola. Exploring the empirical dimension of communicative citizenship and right to communication. OBS* [online]. 2014, vol.8, n.3, pp.115-129. ISSN 1646-5954.

The experience of Brazilian Landless Workers Movement (MST) in which community radios have a fundamental role, is the context for the analysis and problematisation of ideas concerning the right to communication (Peruzzo 2011, Deane 2007), communicative citizenship (Mata 2006) and representation (Fraser 2009). The radios foster conscientisation (Freire 1987), mobilisation and (re)construction of the peasant identity through programming and activities that focus on the exercise of the right to free expression and valorisation of popular cultural manifestations. Furthermore, the movement radios become a channel for dialogue with the local community. They also present conflicts and contradictions, among which are resource scarcity, barriers imposed by the restrictive radiobroadcasting law in Brazil and the transition to digital media. This paper analyses tensions and potentialities of movement radios, which are embedded in the movement’s spaces such as rural settlements and schools. Departing from interviews with militant popular communicators the paper intends to discuss and contribute to the development of concepts such as right to communication (Peruzzo 2011), communicative citizenship (Mata 2005) and representation (Fraser 2009). The study demonstrates that the radios exert a mediating function (Couldry 2010) between the movement and local communities and function as a space for learning the exercise of communicative citizenship and right to communicate.

Keywords : community radio; communicative citizenship; right to communication; representation; social movement.

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