Radio evolution - ICS - Universidade do Minho

Oliveira, M.; Portela, P. & Santos, L.A. (eds.) (2012)Radio Evolution: Conference ProceedingsSeptember, 14-16, 2011, Braga, University of Minho: Communication and Society Research CentreISBN 978-989-97244-9-5Radio and the Web: BBC Radio as a new model ofradio communicationNAIR MOREIRA DA SILVAUniversidade Fernando Pessoa e CIMJnair.silva@gmail.comAbstract:The internet has placed traditional radio in a new environment with regard to the production andmanagement of different audio contents. Communication structure was altered and it’s stilldeveloping, reason which we should try to understand the implications of this change while talkingabout procedures, content presentation and consequences. This study suggests an exhaustiveonline Portuguese radio talk analysis and a comparison with what may consist in an alternativeversion, the BBC Radio website. The conclusions reflect the advantages that BBC structure bringsto media scenario, although insufficient, while verifying that many opportunities are given tolisteners to step on the public sphere, that connection is not always well succeeded.Keywords: radio; Internet; BBC; comparisonIntroductionThis study aims at improving the understanding the modern communication paradigm and the challengesbrought by radio technology and, more important, its presence in the web. When we started to study online radiotalk stations, on its different manifestations and capacities, solely on a singular analysis of the oldest electronicinstrument that history recalls. Without forgetting the past, web radio guidelines bring out new manifestations ofsocial expression and recent concerns, which are a result of a rapid formats emergence and audio technologies.Radio imposed trough time as one of the most important means of communication and information,because it showed news first and could be listened without any cost and while doing other things.The structure was altered and it is still developing, which is why we should try to understand theimplications of this change while analyzing procedures, content presentation and consequences. Computers havehad an outstanding influence in human relations. Clearly, the technological overgrowth combined with thecommunication process, allows and sustains the modifications that we see in human interaction, supported bytechnological mediation, from which Internet is the overriding engine.Therefore, it is important to understand how radio talk websites are suitable for Internet’s impact andtechnique possibilities. This approach relates to Internet’s self-development and the web radio, as a new mediathat is capable of producing new ways on using information and communication science field reconstruction.Thus, may we say that, Portuguese radio talk online radios are formatted? And are Portuguese radiostations really taking advantage of Internet facilities and outcomes? Could British BBC model representadvantages compared to Portuguese radio stations? What are they? (And prime inconvenient?). This studyproposes an exhaustive online analysis of Portuguese radio talk (Rádio Clube Português, TSF, Antena 1 and RádioRenascença) and a comparison with what may represent an alternative version, the BBC Radio website. TheECREA: ‘Radio Evolution: technology, contents, audiences – conference 2011 | 405