Ronnås i Radio En studie av John Ronnås religionsmediestrategi i Sveriges Radio 1970–1980

Abstract

This thesis examines John Ronnås’ religious media strategy at Sveriges Radio (SR) during the period 1970–1980. The aim is to describe and understand Ronnås’ religious media strategy. One way to understand his strategy has been to study previous religious media strategies, particularly Gunnar Dahmén’s religious media strategy. The research question explores how Ronnås’ strategy was formulated, what components it contained, and how it was received, as well as how it influenced SR’s program offerings. The study uses a hermeneutic analysis method to analyze the empirical material, which consisted of John Ronnås’ archives, newspaper articles, and telephone interviews. The empirical material was compared with the telephone interviews to investigate the concrete outcomes of John Ronnås’ retrospective reflections. Theoretical perspectives on secularization theology, institutional secularization, and ideological theories have been applied to deepen the understanding of the strategy’s emergence and significance. Several themes emerged from the analysis: ”Traditional religious radio” (Traditionell religionsradio), ”Confessional broadening” (Konfessionell breddning), ”The listener at the center” (Lyssnaren i centrum), ”Liberal theological agenda” (Liberalteologisk agenda), ”Life issues” (Livsfrågor) and ”Reactions” (Motreaktioner). The results show that Ronnås’ religious media strategy contributed to a transformed religious broadcasting climate at SR, characterized by confessional broadening, an increased focus on the listener, greater emphasis on life issues (livsfrågor), an articulation of liberal theological perspectives, and expanded inclusion and representation of diverse voices regardless of gender or sexual orientation. At the same time, the changed religious agenda provoked reactions. Finally, the thesis concludes that Ronnås’ religious media strategy should be understood in relation to his commitment to developing and preparing the democratic citizen, and as a response to the needs of the time.