Analysis of development discourse in Muuga and Meru FM radio stations in Kenya

Abstract

The study highlighted linguistic and discursive features that were used to deliver discourse of development. It addressed issues on sustainable national development in such domains as education, agriculture and infrastructure delivered through mainstream media entities and FM radio stations. In this case, the term development entails the improvement of human life in terms of social, economic and political states in society. This study examined development discourse in Muuga and Meru FM radio stations in Kenya to establish the linguistic and discursive features used to discuss development. The study was based on shows where development was discussed in Muuga and Meru FM radio stations. These shows were found in development programmes which were usually sessions slotted in specific times within the general broadcasting schedule when people from different social cadres were invited to discourse on matters of social, economic and political progress. The objectives of the study were: to examine linguistic features in development discourse in Muuga and Meru FM radio stations; to analyze (de)legitimization strategies in development discourse in Muuga and Meru FM radio stations and to establish the identities constructed in development discourse in Meru and Muuga FM radio stations. The study was guided by van Dijk (1997) Critical Discourse Analysis theory. Qualitative descriptive research design was used to conduct the study and thematic analysis was used to organize and interpret the data. The population comprised all the expressions in the shows used to discuss development on radio. The shows were extracted from the online platform specifically Facebook and then transcribed on cards prepared by the researcher. Purposive sampling was used to identify thirteen programs on development discourse from Muuga and Meru FM radio stations. A lexical-grammatical checklist was used to record different linguistic and discourse features as used in the radio programs. Data was collected through downloading content on development and noting down lexical-grammatical features, legitimization strategies and identities created in development discourse. The findings of the study indicated that political leaders speaking on Muuga and Meru FM radio stations used specific linguistic features such as nominalization, passivization, transitivity and modality to shape how issues of development were discussed and to present themselves as capable, committed, powerful and authoritative. It was also established that leaders employed (de)legitimization strategies including rationality, appeals to the common good, moral justification, voices of expertise, and hypothetical futures to justify their actions and discredit opponents. These strategies were central in reinforcing the leaders' credibility while weakening alternative voices as they outsmarted one another in matters of development. Lastly, the study showed that political leaders portrayed certain identities like being responsible, problem solvers, hardworking, regional champions or concerned individuals. These discursive choices enabled them to appear relatable, trustworthy, and connected to the community, thereby strengthening their political identity and legitimacy through development discourse. This study added to the literature on discourse analysis; and by articulating development issues, this study is likely to be a great resource to individuals, policy makers and institutions involved in development matters. It also highlighted the linguistic features that help deliver the development agenda. The study concluded that political leaders deliberately deployed linguistic strategies to manage responsibility, bolster their own credibility, and shape public perceptions of progress. These linguistic strategies worked together to present development as a collective imperative while subtly legitimizing the speakers’ authority and marginalizing critical voices.