my voice!’ a study of Sinhala Language ethnic radio programs in Melbourne

Abstract

This article presents findings from a small-scale study of Sinhala radio programs in Melbourne, Australia in serving the Sri Lankan community. The Australian government introduced ethnic radio programs to fulfill migrants’ needs in their settlement in Australia. However, it has not reviewed their goals, and listeners’ current interest in them, since initiating them in 1975. Therefore this study focuses on the present need for ethnic radio programs in Australia and on listeners’ feedback about their content and presentation. This study also reviews how ethnic radio programs have addressed the issues that had initially been identified as the reason for their introduction in 1975. The listeners state that the Sinhala radio programs do not help them to settle in Australia. The issue of participation is critical, and most of the participants complained that the same people have run the programs for a long time. Everyone unanimously agrees that ethnic radio programs play a big role within the community, which is completely neglected by mainstream media. This study has opened the doors for further study or development of a new model for ethnic listeners in Australia. A further in-depth study would identify the needs of the present listenership, which may lead to a broader listenership.