The role of radio in post-conflict society: the example of Radio Okapi in DR Congo and its coverage of the first three democratic elections of the country (2006, 2011 and 2018)

Radio continues to play a significant role in peacebuilding in post-conflict society, especially when it comes to developing peaceful cooperation within formerly warring factions of such societies. This thesis focuses on the example of a radio station in French-speaking Africa, Radio Okapi. Radio Okapi was created in 2002 in the DRC and managed through a partnership between the UN and the Hirondelle Foundation until 2014. Drawing on interviews with individuals who played vital roles at the commencement of Radio Okapi and on relevant documents, this study provides the first in-depth account of Radio Okapi’s history, local dimension, institutional set-up, challenges, successes and, importantly, its journalistic approach and understanding of civil society and the radio’s role in supporting its development. By focusing on one of Radio Okapi’s most prominent radio shows, Dialogue Entre Congolais, this thesis investigates both Radio Okapi’s approach to peacebuilding journalism and civil society building, especially in times of the first democratic contested and violent elections of 2006, 2011, and 2018. Whereas UN radio, operating within conflict regions, was initially used as a supportive tool for elections. As a tool to inform people about significant achievements and operations of the UN peacekeeping mission, this research suggests that the role of the radio within post-conflict contexts tends now more towards assisting in rebuilding a broken civil society (in the Alexandrian understanding of the concept). Overall, this study expands knowledge and understanding and helps evaluate the nature and potential of the changed role of radio in building civil society and supporting a post-conflict society, especially during conflict-prone election times.