INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)
ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XIII October 2025 | Special Issue on Communication
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Challenges Faced By Community Radio in Countering the Covid-19
Infodemic in Kenya; A Case of Anyole Radio
Ambaluku Elvies Kibisu, *Prof. Kyalo Wa Ngula, *Dr. Henry Nkoru Nabea
Chuka University, Kenya
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.913COM0053
Received: 02 November 2025; Accepted: 10 November 2025; Published: 22 November 2025
ABSTRACT
The emergence of the Covid 19 pandemic not only posed a threat to global health systems but also posed a
significant threat to the global information system particularly through the rise of the infodemic; the rapid
spread of misinformation; catapulted through the use of social media. With the instantaneous nature of social
media coupled with the unregulated and free orientation, traditional media such as radio faced a significant
challenge keeping up with rapid misinformation spread particularly in countering misinformation on the
Covid-19 pandemic. This study examined the challenges faced by community radios in countering
misinformation on the Covid-19 pandemic. Anchored on the agenda setting theory, the research evaluates
whether legacy media such as radio maintains a strong position in setting the agenda for media conversations
or whether this role has been usurped by new media such as social media. A case study design was employed
incorporating 396 respondents including radio listeners, journalists and health specialists. A mixed method
sampling combining quota sampling and purposive sampling was used with questionnaires and interviews
being used as the research instruments. From the findings, it was established that community radio was faced
with challenges both in the information flow and radio operations tied to the orientation of community radios.
Rumors and conspiracy theories posed the biggest challenge in the information flow while limited resources
was identified as the biggest operational challenge. Internet sources and social media were identified as the
biggest contributors to misinformation alongside other sources such as word of mouth. Sources such as print
media and community radio were only identified by a minority of the respondents as contributors to
misinformation. This was also observed in were challenges relating to language and cultural barriers,
engagement and comprehension, balancing of opposing viewpoints.
Keywords: Community Radio, Health communication, Infodemics, Covid-19, Pandemic
INTRODUCTION
Background to the study
The emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic triggered a surge in the demand for information, which in turn
allowed misinformation to infiltrate the information cycle particularly through online platforms such as social
media and informal channels like word of mouth. This was due to the nature of the Covid-19 pandemic,
characterized by ever changing standpoints on the pandemic witnessed with evolution of research on various
issues related to Covid-19 and the instantaneous, unregulated nature of the internet.
While the Covid-19 pandemic appeared to be a new worldwide distraction, pandemics have existed throughout
human history, with several pandemics affecting the world prior to the internet era. According to Dotzert
(2020), several pandemics have hit the globe, though tied to specific regions, ranging from the plague of
Athens (430 BC), the Antonine plague (165), Cyprian plague (249), Justinianic plague (541), Black Plague
(1347), Smallpox (1520), Great plague of London (1665), the First Cholera pandemic (1817), Third plague
pandemic (1885), Measles (1875), Russian Flu (1889), Influenza (1918), Asian Flu (1957), Hong Kong flu
(1968), HIV/AIDS (1981) and SARS (2002). In Africa, Ebola pandemics have been a threat though limited to
specific regions while HIV/AIDS posed a serious health threat across the continent.
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While past pandemics challenged medical preparedness and healthcare systems, Pergolizzi, LeQuang, Taylor,
Wollmuth, Nalamachu, Varrassi, Christo, Breve and Magnusson (2021) observe that Covid-19 put information
flow to the test, particularly with the instantaneous nature of the internet. The emergence of the Covid 19
pandemic initially did not seem as a global threat with initial coverage of the pandemic portraying the
pandemic as a Chinese pandemic. This draws similarities the SARS pandemic which also originated in China
with muzzling of information allowing the pandemic to catch the world unawares (Fidler, 2004). The Covid-19
pandemic also drew similarities with the SARS pandemic through communication on its origins with SARS
being communicated by a retired medical professional (Fidler, 2004) and Covid19 being blown out of secrecy
by Dr Li Wenliang (Zhong, Mozur, Kao and Krolik, 2021).
Originating in China, initial coverage of the pandemic was tailored around information control. Dong and
Zheng (2020) observe that early coverage of the pandemic focused on sensitization, exaggerated reports,
engendered panic and stress. This only changed with government intervention (Wang and Mao 2021). In
Britain however, coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic was swift consistent with the growing global threat as
emphasized by Coleman (2020) who notes how community radio in Britain used digital technologies to
innovatively disseminate information on the pandemic. Just like in Britain, community radio in India played an
active role in combatting Covid-19 misinformation. Laskar, & Bhattacharyya (2020) affirm that through the
use of strategies such as folklore, Covid-19 warriors, storytelling and use of traditional media, community
radios in India actively participated in countering Covid-19 misinformation. On the flip side, coverage of the
pandemic in the USA was polarized and guided by political alignments (Hart et al., 2020) .
Community radio in Africa has grown rapidly giving voices to underserved communities following the media
liberation that came with the clamor for democracy in the early 2000’s. Between 2000 and 2006, community
radio in Africa grew by over 1386 percent, compared to 360 percent for commercial radio according to the
BBC World Service Trust (Costa, 2013). While Kenya was the pioneer of community radio in Africa with the
establishment of Homabay Community Radio in 1982 (Ngugi & Kinyua 2014), the growth of community radio
in the country was hampered by restrictive single party administration under the guise of nationalization
(Maweu, 2020) 11. It was only until the exit of the restrictive regime that community radio flourished with the
country having over 23 community radio stations, over 200 community journalists and up to 6 million listeners
(KCOMNET, 2018).
Community radio coverage of the pandemic across the continent was varied based on varied factors ranging
from democratic spaces to the level of establishment of the medium. Pavarala (2024) notes that countries hit by
frequent conflicts in the continent have well established Community radio structures. This would therefore
give an edge in handling of misinformation such as on Covid. In Nigeria, community radio was well placed in
ensuring information access during the pandemic (Ephraim, 2020) while in Kenya, coverage was tailored
around major unfolding and events such as new cases or mitigation efforts. However, in Tanzania, coverage
was full of skepticism owing to the then administration downplaying the pandemic (Kiptinness and Okoye
2021). In Kenya, the agenda was mainly driven by the government through daily pressers from government
officials ranging from the president to ministers, permanent secretaries and other officials. A government
information centre through a toll free USSD, website and call center was established with over 20,000 calls
being made to the toll line 719 and over 300,000 users accessing the USSD code *719#. (Ondieki, 2020).
Anyole radio relied on government updates from the portal, reports from journalists, listener experiences and
health specialists who made appearances at the radio.
Statement of the Problem
The emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic triggered a huge demand for information. Individuals relied on
various sources for information ranging from traditional and mainstream sources to new media sources such as
the internet and social media. The instantaneous nature of new media meant that updates would frequently be
churned through such sources even before making appearance in mainstream media sources such as radio.
However, the unregulated nature of the new media allowed for misinformation through unverified sources and
disinformation. While the spread of misinformation was at times fueled by malicious intent, at times
indeliberate intentions such as simple sharing and forwarding further propagated the infodemic. This was
further amplified by wide internet access and internet devices such as smartphones. Misinformation was an
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)
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active threat in Covid-19 mitigation efforts as affirmed by the World Health Organization through the coining
of the word “infodemics”. The extent of misinformation was observed through disregard to public health
measures, low vaccine uptake, apathy and a return to normalcy in the middle of a pandemic. This study aimed
to identify some of the challenges faced by community radio in countering misinformation on the Covid -19
pandemic with a focus on challenges in the information cycle and operational challenges tied to the orientation
of community radio.
Objectives of the Study
1. To identify challenges faced by Anyole Radio in countering misinformation on the Covid-19 pandemic.
Research Questions
1. What were the challenges faced by Anyole Radio in countering misinformation on the Covid-19
pandemic?
LITERATURE REVIEW
Challenges Faced by Community Radio in Countering Covid-19 Misinformation
Fluid nature of information and communication lapses
Pandemics, epidemics and disease outbreaks are usually accompanied by constantly shifting and evolving
information. While this information could be related to regular updates, at times this information relates to
scientific advancements which may affect effective disease management and control. Michelle et al (2021)
affirms that initial media coverage of pandemics is often marred with mixed and unclear messages, widespread
public confusion and attributions of incompetence toward health officials. While this is often driven by rapid
changes in information and evolving standpoints on various issues, it brings about confusion until a clear
standpoint is established. For instance, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kenyan government developed an
information portal (https://health.go.ke/covid-19 ) which was a standard referent point for communication on
matters the Covid-19 pandemic. Kiptinness & Okoye (2021) note that in the early stages of the Covid-19
pandemic, the Kenyan media paid little attention to the pandemic framing the pandemic it as a global
pandemic rather that a global pandemic. This could be due to the origins of the disease in China far away from
Africa. However, with the first outbreak in the country on March 12, 2020, media coverage of the pandemic
clearly increased significantly (Ministry of Health, 2020). The Covid-19 pandemic also witnessed different
stands on various areas of mitigation and prevention such as use of facemasks. Ochu et al (2021) observe that
evolving scientific knowledge resulted in instability in communication contributing to public mistrust. In
Kenya, stakeholders expressed differing viewpoints, for instance, the then Health Cabinet Secretary initially
voiced doubts about vaccinations (NTV Kenya, 2020) before later reversing this position (Citizen TV Kenya,
2020). This was also witnessed in the contradicting standpoints on use of facemasks by the World Health
Organization (WHO) during the early stages of the pandemic (Chan, Leung, Lam & Cheng ,2020).
In a bid to communicate on the pandemic, lapses in communication may also lead to confusion. While health
communication may be intended at behavior change, it must be well thought out and verified. Gaps and
inconsistencies in communication may hamper mitigation efforts and also create an avenue for misinformation.
When the first Covid-19 patient was disclosed to the public by the ministry of health in Kenya, lapses in
communication brought about speculation and disbelief even though the ministry had aimed at championing
for effective mitigation through her recovery journey. Dubbed patient zero, Brenda Ivy Cheprotich was
expected to affirm the existence of the virus and affirm behavior change but gaps in her communication cast
more doubts on her narration. For instance, varied number of dates on quarantine; 23 days (The East African
,2020) and 22 days (NTV Kenya, 2020), admission at Mbagathi hospital (Rubadiri, 2020) and Kenyatta
hospital (Citizen TV). Lapses also emerged on another patient Brian Orinda who gave contradicting positions
on knowing Brenda whom it was believed he had contracted the disease from (Asamba & Njeru 2020).
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)
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Infodemics and unregulated citizen journalism
At the height of the Covid -19 pandemic, misinformation was a real threat to mitigation efforts thus the World
Health Organization (WHO) coined the term infodemics to refer to too much information which includes
misleading and false information not only in digital but physical environments during an outbreak (WHO,
2021). In events of calamities such as disease outbreaks, there is often an upsurge in the demand for
information and corresponding increase in the dissemination of information. However not all information
shared during this period is factual, misinformation makes way into the communication cycle by individuals
through deliberate or indeliberate intent. Infodemics pose significant risks to behavior and attitudes, thereby
undermining mitigation efforts (Larson, 2018; Kim, Fast, & Markuzon, 2019).
The share culture in the internet age bypasses the verification of information with infodemics spreading fast
and hampering mitigation efforts. Manganello et al (2020) insist that while misinformation has been a
challenge in previous pandemics, it was more evident in the Covid 19 pandemics through conspiracies,
disinformation, misinformation and untruths. Melki, Tamim, Hadid, Makki, Amine, & Hitti (2021) affirm that
the spread of infodemics was catapulted by high trust in social media information and news sources and other
informal means including interpersonal communication and clerics.
Operational challenges
Community radio by its orientation is faced with challenges which hamper its effective operation with these
challenges being grounded on the definition and legal provisions laid out for community radio. Being a non-
profit establishment, community radio is often limited in its operations unlike commercial radio. EcoNews
Africa, BBC World Service Trust and UNESCO (2008) identify challenges around sustainability, lack of a
clear identity, ownership, inadequate funds, job security and delay in frequency allocation as some of the
challenges synonymous with community radio. These sentiments are shared by Tavhiso (2009) who insinuates
that while community radio has the potential to bring about transformation, its always limited by a myriad of
challenges especially in developing countries.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design
This study employed a case study design to identify the challenges Anyole Community radio faced in
countering Covid-19 infodemics. A case study was ideal in providing an in-depth analysis of the challenges
faced by Anyole radio as emphasized by Stake (2010) who identifies a case study as ideal for in-depth
understanding of a phenomenon.
Study Site
The study was conducted in Vihiga county, Western Kenya and limited to a 30 Kilometer radial distance from
Anyole radio; the documented reach of the community radio. Respondents were engaged within Emuhaya,
Hamisi, Luanda, Vihiga and Sabatia constituencies.
Sampling Procedure
The study employed a multi method procedure combining purposive and stratified sampling procedures.
Respondents who had interactions and affiliations with Anyole radio were identified through purposive
sampling and then subdivided into strata comprising of listeners, journalists and health specialists with a varied
proportion for each stratum based on the actual population.
Data Collection and analysis
Data was collected through questionaries and informant interviews. Questionaries were used to collect data
from listeners of Anyole radio with both closed and open-ended questionaries being used to identify challenges
faced by Anyole radio. A total of 384 questionaries were successfully administered. Interviews were conducted
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on 10 radio journalists and 2 health specialists. The interviews sought to identify challenges unique to these
two strata from a broadcasting and health perspective.
The data from the study was then analyzed to identify challenges Anyole radio faced in countering the Covid-
19 misinformation and grouped in the three different viewpoints.
Ethical Considerations
The researcher sought permissions from the Chuka University Ethical Review committee, from the board of
Post graduate and a NACOSTI permit alongside all other necessary approvals and letters. Respondents were
assured of confidentiality, dignity and privacy and their consent was sought in using their responses in the
study.
FINDINGS
Rumors & Conspiracy theories
The greatest challenge Anyole radio faced in countering infodemics on the covid-19 pandemic was rumors and
conspiracy theories; affirmed by up to 85% of the respondents. Rumors and conspiracy theories pose a great
risk to mitigation of the pandemic since they could be spread through formal mediums such as the new media
(internet) and informal media such as word of mouth. Rumors could be triggered by lack of media literacy
skills, lack of access to factual information or constantly changing information during the pandemic. This is
affirmed by Ochu et al (2021) who maintains that evolving scientific knowledge could lead to instability in
communication resulting in confusion, misinformation and mistrust in the public and its in such environments
that rumors and conspiracy theories thrive. The lack of media literacy skills could further amplify the risk of
misinformation as Schwarz & Jalbert (2021) assert that at times, infodemics which include rumors and
conspiracy theories could feel so true that depending on individual deciphering abilities could be mistaken for
factual information.
Figure 1: Challenges faced by community radio in countering misinformation
Limited Resources
Limited resources pose a significant challenge to community radio with up to 75% of the respondents agreeing
to this. Challenges in resources have always been a common occurrence amongst community radio owing to
the non-profit orientation. This has also shared by EcoNews Africa, BBC World Service Trust and UNESCO
(2008) and Agrawal (2006).
Cultural barriers
Even though identified by a section of the respondents, cultural and linguistic barriers posed the lowest
challenge to community radio in countering Covid-19 misinformation as only 2% of the respondents identified
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Rumours &
Conspiracy
Theories
Limited Resources Cultural Barriers Engagement &
Comprehension
Challanges faced by Community radio
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linguistic and cultural challenges. By being audience first, community radio broadcasts to its audience needs
and this includes cultural needs which may include language. Broadcasting to its audience in multiple
languages (Kiswahili and Kinyore languages), Anyole radio effectively caters for its audiences needs and
through the incorporation of cultural aspects such as rainmaking.
Balancing of opposing viewpoints
Anyole radio effectively balanced opposing viewpoints with only 7% of the respondents having a contrary
opinion.
Engagement and Comprehension
As expected, only 13% of the respondents felt that Anyole radio did not effectively engage its audience and
ensure comprehension of its content. Owing to the nature of community radio, content is usually tailored to
meet the broadcast community needs. However, radio journalists felt that there were several challenges and put
in place several mitigation strategies as captured below
Table 1: Challenge and mitigation table
Challenge
Mitigation
Denial of existence of the virus
Continued reminders and broadcast
Ever evolving information
Keeping up to date with information
Religious and cultural misbeliefs
Involving religious and cultural leaders in broadcast
Massive misinformation from other sources
Continued education through broadcast
On the other hand, health specialists noted that Anyole radio struggled with limited resources, balancing
opposing viewpoints opinions, ensuring engagement and comprehension and addressing rumors and
conspiracy theories.
SUMMARY CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary of the findings
The study revealed that there was widespread misinformation and Anyole radio faced several challenges in
countering Covid -19 misinformation. It was observed that rumors and conspiracy theories tied to infodemics
were the greatest challenge community radios faced in countering Covid-19 misinformation. Anyole radio was
also faced with operational challenges traditionally associated with community radio; these challenges range
from financial, technical, human, training and skills development. These challenges are not unique to Anyole
radio but common amongst community radios owing to the non-profit orientation. The study also revealed that
Anyole radio was effective in bridging cultural and linguistic challenges faced in mitigation of Covid-19
misinformation and would therefore be an effective medium where linguistic and cultural differences exist.
Further, Anyole radio was effective in engagement, comprehension and balancing opposing viewpoints
therefore positioning the radio as an effective medium in tackling challenges across these lines. It was also
observed that while the new media such as the internet boasted of timely updates, community radio had a role
to play especially through provision of factual information achieved through repetitive broadcast, keeping an
up-to-date fact sheet, engagement of community leaders and health specialists in broadcast. Furthermore, it
was observed that community radio stations were increasingly integrating new media tools, such as the internet
in the dissemination of information prior to their top of the hour broadcasts in an effort to keep pace with the
instantaneous flow of information.
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Conclusions
The study revealed that community radio was faced with challenges in countering Covid 19 misinformation.
While some of the challenges stem from the orientation of community radio which is usually based on a non-
profit model, some challenges are emergent especially with the upsurge in the demand for information during
emergencies such as health crisis.
Recommendations
1. To combat misinformation more effectively, community radio broadcasters and journalists need to go
beyond traditional methods, adopting new strategies such as leveraging social media to match the rapid
pace of information dissemination.
2. Given the dynamic nature of information during pandemics, community radio stations should remain
updated with credible sources and establish a relevant fact sheet to guide programming
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