Study of the dysfunction of radio stations in the face of the challenges of citizenship education

Communication Engineering

This study investigates the dysfunction of radio stations in Madagascar in fulfilling their role in citizenship education, focusing on Radio Fahazavana, a denominational station of the FJKM Church. While radio is recognized as a key medium for informing, educating, and fostering civic engagement, the research highlights how its instrumentalization undermines this mission. Drawing on functionalist theory and concepts such as dysfunction, anomie, and bounded rationality, the study examines how political and ecclesiastical pressures shape editorial content, resulting in biased, incomplete, and unbalanced information. A mixed-method approach, including a questionnaire survey of 200 respondents—listeners, staff, and political actors—was used to assess perceptions of instrumentalization, malfunctions, and service quality. Findings reveal that 43.5% of respondents perceive the station as instrumentalized, with ecclesiastical news dominating programming and key societal topics (e.g., economy, culture, youth issues) being neglected. This leads to a chain of effects: manipulation of public opinion, disregard for diversity of viewpoints, production of poor-quality content, inadequate civic education, weakened civic-mindedness, and ultimately, diminished respect for democratic principles. The study proposes an “evolutionary cycle” of program and information production, emphasizing balanced content, continuous adaptation to socio-political contexts, and strengthened journalistic professionalism. It concludes that ensuring editorial independence, resisting political and institutional influence, and aligning programming with the station’s stated mission—“for the development of Man and of all Man”—are crucial for enhancing the radio’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in promoting peace, justice, and effective institutions.

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