Assessment of Sustainability Challenges of FM Radio Stations in Bungoma County, Kenya
Jared M. Mudanya*, Dr. Peres Wenje
Citation : Jared M. Mudanya*, Dr. Peres Wenje, Assessment of Sustainability Challenges of FM Radio Stations in Bungoma County, Kenya International Journal of Media, Journalism and Mass Communications 2019, 5(3) : P 25-36.
Liberalization of airwaves in Kenya has seen the broadcast media growth in leaps and bounds as the number of radio stations outlets has multiplied significantly. This brought with it a cut throat competition among the licensed FM radio stations. They had to innovate survival tactics to become relevant. These radio stations grapple with challenges that threaten their survival among them difficulty in developing programmes that would gratify the audience's expectations and resource deficiency. For survival and the need to find alternative means of income generation, these radio stations have turned into other ways of generating revenue.The objectives of this study were to assess the challenges of sustainability of FM Radio stations explain the resource deficiency in sustainability of FM Radio stations and to find out if advances in technology plays a role in sustainability of FM stations in Bungoma County, Kenya. This study adopted a Mixed-methods research design. The mixed methods is seen in sampling process and the data collection stage. The methodology was employed in collecting, analyzing, and mixing both quantitative and qualitative data in a single study or series of studies whose central premise is that the use of quantitative and qualitative approaches, in combination, provides a better understanding of research problems than either approach alone. Findings of this study reveal that motivation and training of staff, coupled with creation of quality educative and informative content by FM radio stations based on current audience research data or survey, will enhance sustainability of these FM radio stations operating in Bungoma County, Kenya.