‘Religious Radio Families’ between the social and economic needs

Since the beginnings of 'Solidarity' in 1980s until now Poland went through only one mass-scale social movement called the Family of Radio Mary (Rodzina Radia Maryja). This grass-roots collectivity of listeners stays in touch with the charismatic founder and leader of Radio Maryja, rev. Tadeusz Rydzyk. Without doubt the activity of such traditional and devotional radio is a cause of a lot of stereotypes and conjectures about its real social and political power. On the other hand, its way of functioning is becoming a source of inspiration for the other religious radio broadcasters, as an example of the effectiveness in raising funds and gathering the masses of devoted listeners. In fact in recent years many of the radio stations, both commercial and non-profit ones, face the problem of setting up its own ‘Radio Family’, as a result of the audience activities, or as a result of implementing the marketing strategy.