This article examines what “value” means in relation to community radio broadcasting, summarizing the development of a theoretical framework of value for community radio from the existing literature. Moreover, this article outlines the findings garnered from testing that framework at three community radio stations in Perth, Western Australia particularly the perceptions of value by the study participants. Finally, this article discusses the importance of one key research finding: that study participants from all stations perceived the value of community radio participation as not necessarily an altruistic activity. This indicates that community radio’s value is significantly more about the benefits of participation for volunteers rather than the benefits for the listening community.
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