No more ‘voices from down south’: Parallel voices in remote Queensland Indigenous communities

Abstract

This study examines the interaction between audience and producer in the production of local content by Indigenous radio stations in remote areas of far north Queensland, Australia. In the past three years, these stations have changed from being primarily carriers of content from Indigenous and non-Indigenous radio networks in other parts of Australia (from media organizations located ‘down south’ in major cities) to a network of stations broadcasting their own locally relevant and culturally specific programming 24 hours a day. Qualitative research, including participant observation of community broadcasters, reveals high levels of active audience engagement with local broadcasting, with content that is ‘hyper-local’ valued more than content produced outside of the community. Underpinning the engagement with radio in these communities is the accessibility of local producers and the ability of community members to have input into local content.