Magic Radio (2007)

Directed by: Stéphanie Barbey, Luc Peter | 83 minutes | documentary

Niger was a French colony until the late 1950s. After independence, it was ruled by several authoritarian regimes. Under pressure from various social groups, a path was taken towards more democratic reforms in the late 1990s. One of those democratic reforms in the media field has been evident ever since.

Radio was and is the pre-eminent mass medium in Niger. Radio is cheaper than television and easier to understand than newspapers as a large part of the population is illiterate. Due to the democratization in Niger, more and more private radio stations appeared in addition to the national radio stations. The growth of the radio offer has led to a central place for radio in Niger as a point of contact with the wider outside world. The permeation of Nigerien society with the radio as an educator, view of the world, kitchen help and daily friend is the basis of the documentary ‘Magic Radio’.

Filmmakers Barbey and Peter take the viewer on an interesting journey through Nigerien society, using radio waves as a universal guideline. We meet different Niger residents from different age groups who all switch on daily to their favorite broadcaster. In addition to practical hygiene regulations, we hear cooking tips through the radio broadcasts and we can listen to (female) rap music with often political content. We also see radio as an emancipating medium, since both men and women broadcast at different stations. Notable scenes include a radio discussion between several men about the marital troubles of one of their listeners, a discussion between two women about the consequences of arranged marriages for young girls and a broadcast with a large group of children in the studio.

‘Magic Radio’ is stylishly designed without commentary. Rather, it is a journey of discovery through various places and radio stations in Niger where the radio is used to inform, demonstrate, teach and agitate. A very successful and interesting look at the democratizing effect of a mass medium in an African society.