The birth of the free radio stations: the case of Radio Popolare

di Rosaria Nunziata
in Memoria e Ricerca n.s. 25 (2007), p. 113

Our analysis belongs to that sphere of political communication linked to youth protests at the end of 1970s. In particular, the core subject of this analysis is the birth of free radio stations in the above-mentioned period. We will make specific reference to Radio Popolare experience in Milan, between 1976 and 1980. We would like to underline here some aspects of our analysis, such as: the impact of those radio stations linked to the extraparliamentary left wing on the process of liberalization of the airwaves, which was taking place in Italy at that time; Radio Popolare capability to influence ex novo the way of doing and conceiving radio communication; Radio Popolare interest towards youth issues, so that the radio became the perfect instrument to lead the way in the youth changing world at the end of 1970s.