Radio Propaganda and the Broadcasting of Hatred

Historical Development and Definitions

During the Rwandan genocide of 1994, radio was used as a tool to encourage hatred, to dehumanize 'others' and to incite the mass murder or targeted groups. It became infamous - the radio station was nicknamed radio machete. In Kenya in 2007-8, local radio stations broadcast messages which incited violence, and for twelve years Nazi-controlled radio spewed out a constant stream of racial hatred against Jews, Russians and other Slavs. This set the agenda for genocide and the inhuman treatment of enemy peoples. This book gives a detailed account of the development of propaganda and the way radio transformed the delivery and impact of propaganda, making possible the use of hate broadcasting as a weapon. Despite many studies of propaganda, the trials at Nuremburg, Arusha and an impending trial of Kenyans at the Hague, there is still no definition of hate radio - Keith Somerville provides a clear picture of what it involves and defines its key characteristics.

This book gives a detailed account of the development of propaganda and the way radio transformed the delivery and impact of propaganda, making possible the use of hate broadcasting as a weapon.