SOCIAL FUNCTION OF THE UNIVERSITY RADIOS: THE CASE OF ONDACAMPUS, THE STATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EXTREMADURA

Abstract

The present work aims to approach the concept of university radio from the perspective of its training function and as a tool that entails compliance with the social function, as itself and as a complement to the University Social Responsibility (RSU). We are facing a quantitative and qualitative research that addresses a case study on the station of the University of Extremadura (Spain), OndaCampus Radio, in its 14 years of life. The social role played by university radio stations, especially the station of the University of Extremadura (UEx) and the radio content produced during their career, has been analyzed globally. In total, we have worked with a sample of 103 radio spaces broadcast on OndaCampus, distributed in 8 seasons documented in the station's library. In addition, a total of 16 interviews and the analysis of 50 hours of previously selected radio content have been carried out. The main conclusion drawn from the study is that university radio, in a global way, can be constituted as a tool for the achievement of the social function and complementation to the fulfillment of the RSU. Specifically, it has been corroborated that OndaCampus, as a UEx station, is consolidated year after year as a tool to achieve this goal.