Radio and Community

Dennis Allen’s film, CBQM, and Danny Kaplan’s article, “The Song of the Siren”

illustrate two very different examples of how radio can bring people together when it’s

impossible for them to actually be together.

Radio is a particularly uniting force for several reasons: 1) Radio is in real time.

Everyone listens to a broadcast together, right when it happens, whereas other forms of media

such as newspapers and the internet can be accessed at one’s own leisure. There is not the same

sense of real time with a newspaper, which you can choose to read days, even weeks after it’s

printed. 2) Radio is interactive. Calling into radio shows is common practice. Calling into

television shows is less common; and commenting on internet sites is less personal. 3) Radio is

portable. Portable radios and radios in cars are easily accessible worldwide. Radio is the only

form of media which can be accessed while driving.

It would be nearly impossible for the elderly inhabitants of Fort McPherson to venture

from their homes during the harsh Winter to spend time together. CBQM radio unites the

community by broadcasting Bingo games. Individuals feel connected to the radio station,

because they can call in and speak on the air and personal messages are broadcast. The local

government uses the radio to communicate pressing legal issues, such as teenagers throwing eggs

at houses.

Radio in Israel also helps to bring the community together in times when it would be

physically impossible to do so. While people in Fort McPherson are confined to their homes

listening to the radio because it’s cold outside, and there is nothing better to do, the radio in Israel

played an important role during the Gulf War when, “ Israeli citizens were confined to their

homes every night in anticipation of Iraqi missile attacks” (Allen). In times of instability, radio

was used to keep everyone informed, giving real time updates of conflict. Newspapers would

report things too late, and television was not as reliable or accessible.

Radio was used in Fort McPherson to keep everyone from being bored to death, radio in

Israel prevented people from being blown up. Entire communities sat hulled up in their

individual homes, listening to the radio, with nowhere else they could go and became united.

Works Cited

Allen, D (Director). (2009). CBQM

Kaplan, Danny. The songs of the siren: engineering national time on

israeli radio.