Published Article

This study explored the roles of radio caller associations in causing the government to deliver its democratic dividend, assessing the prospects and challenges. The dividends of democracy, which encompass equitable access to quality education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security, remain a focal point of citizens’ expectations from their governments. In carrying out this research, numerous subheads were taken into consideration, some of which included the concept of radio calls, the concept of radio callers, the concept of radio caller associations, and the concept of democratic dividends, among many others. The study mentioned the roles of radio caller associations to include advocating for public policy reform, facilitating civic engagement/political participation, and promoting social accountability/transparency. Improved public accountability, strengthened citizens’ participation in governance, and enhanced transparency/trust in government were mentioned as the effects of radio calls on government delivery of the democratic dividend. The prospect of radio caller associations as mentioned in the study included enhancing grassroots participation in governance and amplifying civic awareness and political education. The challenges of radio caller association were mentioned to include media censorship and political interference, misinformation/propaganda, harassment, and intimidation of members. The study further provided mitigations to the challenges that inhibit radio caller associations to include promoting media freedom/legal protection and combating misinformation with fact-checking mechanisms. The study concluded that radio caller associations (RCAs) play a vital role in participatory democracy by providing platforms for citizens to voice concerns, demand accountability, and influence governance. One of the recommendations made was that the governments should establish and enforce laws that protect the freedom of speech and the press to enable Radio Caller Associations (RCAs) to operate without fear of censorship or intimidation.