Sounds like a broken record: preservation and access of audio-visual records at the South African broadcasting corporation radio
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-11-2020-0185 |
| Published date | 21 June 2021 |
| Date | 21 June 2021 |
| Pages | 383-397 |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Information behaviour & retrieval,Information in society,Information literacy,Library & information services |
| Author | Cyril Ngoasheng,Mpho Ngoepe,Ngoako Solomon Marutha |
Sounds like a broken record:
preservation and access of
audio-visual records at the
South African broadcasting
corporation radio
Cyril Ngoasheng,Mpho Ngoepe and Ngoako Solomon Marutha
Department of Information Science, University of South Africa, Pretoria, SouthAfrica
Abstract
Purpose –Audio-visual records produced by public broadcasters play a role in preserving the history,
culture and language of a country.The records are used by broadcasters to repeat and support programmes
on air. The formats that carry these records such as tapes and compactdiscs are fragile and have a short life
span. This is compounded by evolvingtechnologies and results in obsolete playback equipment, which can
result in records not being accessible.This study aims to explore the preservation and access of audio-visual
recordsat the South AfricanBroadcasting Corporation (SABC) radio in Limpopo regionaloffices.
Design/methodology/approach –Qualitativedata were collected through interviewsfrom purposively
selectedparticipants in three radio stationsof the SABC in the Limpopo provincewhich are Munghana Lonene
FM, PhalaphalaFM and Thobela FM. The interviewdata were augmented throughparticipant observation.
Findings –The findings revealed that the SABC radio archive was preserving audio-visual records in
obsolete formats such as long plays and cassettes, which also lacked playback equipment. These formats
were not properlyarranged and were kept in a storage area that was notmonitored for decaying and security.
It was further established that the radio stationswere using IONA technology for retrieval of and access to
records whilethe news division within the radio stations were relying on Electronic News ProductionSystem.
As audio-visualmaterials were not catalogued, it proved difficultfor users to access these records.
Practical implications –This study adds value to the existing theoretical and conceptual issues that form
the ongoing discourse on the preservation of and access to audio-visual records which are often neglected in the
developing countries. The study also laidt hegroundwork for further investigation of the audio-visual records at
broadcasting corporations. This is prompted by the findings which established that valuable information has
been lost and continues to be lost due to poor management of audio-visual records. Therefore, a further study on
migration of content from analogue to digital for the purpose of continuous preservation is recommended.
Originality/value –The study triangulated data collection tools including interviews and participant
observation.The context was on the national broadcaster and the focus wason the preservation of and access
to audio-visualrecords for the radio.
Keywords Archives, Access, Records management, Preservation, Audio-visual records,
South African broadcasting corporation
Paper type Research paper
Introduction and background to the study
Introduction
The adage “abrokenrecord”means a damaged record that repeats part of a recording
over and over. However, it is used figuratively to describe something such as a
Preservation
and access of
audio-visual
records
383
Received28 November 2020
Revised7 February 2021
10April 2021
Accepted26 April 2021
GlobalKnowledge, Memory and
Communication
Vol.71 No. 4/5, 2022
pp. 383-397
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2514-9342
DOI 10.1108/GKMC-11-2020-0185
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