Storytellers, Curators, Watchdogs and Analysts: A Metajournalistic Discourse Analysis of South African Radio Broadcasters’ Role in Agenda-Setting

Radio broadcasters in South Africa are often more than mere announcers who inform the audiences about what is coming up on the programme. They have been instrumental in helping South Africans make sense of developments in this context. They also play an essential role in developing and uplifting indigenous languages. At many pivotal moments in the country’s history, they have been the voice communities turn to for information, reassurance, and a perspective on the prevailing state of affairs. This study explores the role of radio broadcasters in shaping public discourse over the years. Using the notion of metajournalistic discourse, the chapter considers how the selected radio presenters, talk about the way they think their work has shaped public discourse over the years.