Abstract

Although the BBC’s contribution to the development of radio is well documented, programme output from UK independent, or commercial radio, can also provide an alternative view of the world at specific points in time. This paper, based on doctoral research by the author, examines how UK local commercial radio created – through its imposed regulatory requirements of phone-ins, news and documentaries – a commentary for the study of the social, cultural and political issues that dominated a pivotal decade in British history – the 1980s. The paper sheds new light on the relationship between regulation and programme content which resulted in a unique form of output during this period. By examining sound archives it reveals that programme output on Independent Local Radio (ILR), while restricted by regulation, played a key role for both politicians and the public during an intense period of change during the Thatcher government. Concern for public health became a key issue on the Thatcher agenda during the 1980s via the emergence of AIDS. This paper serves to explore the paradox that speech programming borne out of necessity on ILR during this period formed an important part of the public awareness campaign regarding the illness. This was achieved via a range of documentaries and phone-in programmes broadcast on local commercial radio stations across the UK.