The cultural politics of radio: Two views from the Warlpiri public sphere

Abstract

This chapter examines the link between local communities and broadcast radio in central Australia, with particular emphasis on how local broadcast practices are related to the Warlpiri people's cultural reproduction. It shows how Warlpiri radio broadcasting mirrors the distinctive cultural politics that may be observed more broadly in Warlpiri social interaction, and how broadcasting activity occurs against/in response to the demands of the Australian state. It also explores what radio activity reflects on Warlpiri people's sense of who they are in turbulent times and on the increasingly complex parameters of their public sphere. The chapter focuses on broadcasting by the Pintupi Anmatyerre Warlpiri radio network as well as the distinctive approach of young Warlpiri people to on-air broadcasting within particular Warlpiri cultural imperatives.