Les auditeurs de France Inter : développement d’une pratique radiophonique
France Inter is the most listened to radio station in France with almost 7 million daily listeners. According to popular opinions, the typical listener would be a middle or upper class individual, in his fifties, Parisian, a “bobo” therefore by definition from the left-wing (Gustave & Péronnet, 2013). This Master’s thesis questions the nature of the relationship between France Inter listeners and their station, and how does the representation we have of them influence their radio practice? Information on these listeners is almost non-existent. Stuart Hall's theories of reception explain that there is not just one type of listener and not one way to appropriate media content (Hall, 1980). Then, Pierre Bourdieu allows us to deconstruct the received idea that tastes are the fruit of a deliberate choice, taken without external influence (Bourdieu, 1979). The sociologist came to the conclusion that our tastes are shaped by social mechanisms of distinction. Bourdieu’s research led him to establish a theory on social class ; our tastes and cultural practices can help situate us socially. France Inter listeners are put at the center with semi-structured interviews allowing to answer the two research questions: how do France Inter listeners start and keep listening to this station? And how did the representation we have of them influence the development of this listening? Four influences on listening are identified: social, family, societal, political and age. Faced with the representation, our participants disagree because they are basing themselves on their own reality. However, many agree on one point: the intellectual curiosity and the need for education. It is certain that this representation does not have a noticeable impact on their listening. If they receive negative remarks, it will only make them listen even more. For all, this station had and still has a monumental influence. It serves as a clock, a landmark and a daily companion. It affects moods throughout the day, provokes reflections and informs on the world of yesterday, today and tomorrow.
France Inter Radio Service public Audience studies Listeners Radio practice Representation Public service