City Research Online

Abstract

First introduced in West Africa by Europeans as an instrument of colonisation and western-modelled modernisation, radio later became a tool of decolonisation but also of surveillance and subversion. This article examines the role of radio in British West Africa, focusing mainly on Nigeria and the Gold Coast (Ghana) and briefly on Sierra Leone. It draws on original archival research to illuminate the multifaceted functions of radio in colonisation and decolonisation processes, the struggle for its control, and the limits of its performance. It traces the convoluted journey of radio broadcasting and reception in the region, from wired to wireless broadcasting, and from communal listening to private reception. The article also looks at the decolonisation of broadcasting itself, unpacking the changes witnessed in its administrative structure, staffing, training and programming.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
Publisher Keywords:	Colonisation, decolonisation, propaganda, subversion, surveillance, West Africa
Subjects:	J Political Science > JV Colonies and colonization. Emigration and immigration. International migration T Technology > T Technology (General)
Departments:	School of Communication & Creativity School of Communication & Creativity > Department of Journalism
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

Export

Downloads