Disagreeing in Radio Panel Discussions in Ghana

Abstract

Over the years, the media has become indispensable in every human setting. Almost every aspect of life is influenced by the media. The term was first used with the advent of newspapers and magazines. The radio is the most relied on mass media platform in Ghana and a considerable number of Ghanaians listen to the radio to obtain their political, social and economic information (Selormey, 2012). A talk show involves talk that is intentionally communicated to an audience that is absent (Scannell, 1991). As with all forms of communication, discussions on radio involve the discussants disagreeing at one point or another during the discussion. Thus, employing the qualitative approach to research, this study investigates panel discussions on two popular Ghanaian radio shows with the aim of identifying the strategies discussants employ in disagreeing and how they mitigate their disagreements. In all, 195 instances of disagreement were identified. Ten (10) strategies were used by discussants to express disagreement. These include: the use of contradictory statements, explicitly stating disagreement, challenge, hedges, the use of no, the use of doubt or disbelief, among others. Mitigating strategies also include hesitation markers, partial agreement, expression of regret, questions for clarification, explanation and providing suggestion or alternatives. The present research contributes to studies in media discourse and bridges the gap in the literature on the study of disagreement in Ghana.