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Training Programme for the Emergent Independent and Community Radio
Stations in Southern Africa

The Media Institute of Southern Africa invites nominations for participants
to attend a training course for emergent independent and community radio
stations in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region.

Venue: Zamcom - Lusaka

Dates: 13 - 17 April 1998

Last date for nominations: 23 March 1998

No. of participants: 10 (restricted to one from each station)

Participant Profile: A person who is active in the making of news or
information programmes for an existing independent or community radio
station. (Preference will be given candidates with no formal journalism
training)
Participant must be proficient in English

Nomination Requirements: *Short profile of radio station, *Description of
nominees experience and work with station. *CV of nominee

Contact: John Barker, Regional Programme Coordinator (Broadcasting)
Media Institute of Southern Africa
Private Bag 13386,
21 Johann Albrecht Street
Windhoek, NAMIBIA
Tel: +264 61 232975 Fax +264 61 248016
E-mail johnb@ingrid.misa.org.na

Background

The number of radio stations that are mushrooming in many southern African
countries due to the opening up of the airwaves by governments signifies
the emergence of social pluralism within countries. These stations now
offer alternative views in countries where information has been
concentrated in the hands of governments. The presence of these independent
stations marks a contribution towards the concept of free flow of ideas,
opinions and information - necessary requirements for the sustainability of
the democratic processes already underway in the region.

However, if the emergent stations are to fulfill their role as facilitators
of information within democratic societies, they will have to be nurtured
and harnessed through training to contribute to pluralism of views, ideas
and by giving voice to communities who have little access to information
nor communications channels.

Furthermore, despite the rapid proliferation of independent and community
radio stations in the region, the potential for radio to facilitate a truly
participatory environment amongst communities is still a long way off. For
instance, community radio signifies a two way process which, entails the
exchange of views from various sources and is the adaptation of media for
use by communities. In an ideal world community radio allows members of a
community to gain access to information, education and entertainment. It
allows communities to participate as planners, producers and performers and
represents an alternative form of expression by the silent majority.

The key words that the emergent radio stations should consider are access
and participation in their programming and development. The important issue
is not simply that people have access to the station with their opinions or
personal messages.

Training of the independent and community radio stations

There seems to be confusion about the concepts of 'community' and
'independent' radio and the training needs associated with the two.

Community radio stations cover a clearly defined area, for instance rural
or urban-poor and are run by the members of the community trained for
specific functions. Broadcasting time is often limited to a few hours a day
and content is generally on civic education, local news, cultural
programmes, agricultural and health information.

Independent stations are often commercial in nature covering a limited
local but often urban area. Usually these stations hire professional
journalists and programming consists of news, some locally produced
information, phone -is and music. Independent stations can also have
community radio functions of airing participatory programmes that provide
access for listeners.

As a result, this course offers those working for the emergent independent
and community radio stations a chance to explore participatory programming
with communities. The course provides participants with skills on how to
identify information needs of communities so as to:

*provide community access through programming;
*create participatory programmes that enable communities to express
themselves and articulate their needs;
*build on community resources.

Programme

Day 1   The role of independent/community stations

08.30 - 10.00   Introductions/expectations
10.00 - 10.15   Tea break
10.15 - 13.00   Definitions: What are 'independent', 'commercial' and
community' radios?
                        Functions/programming of these stations
                        Differences in the stations around the region
13.00 - 14.00   Lunch
14.00 - 15.00   The role of independent stations in society
15.00 15.15     Tea break
15.15 - 1630    Informing, education and entertaining

Day 2   Independent radios and community needs

08.30 - 10.00   Serving communities through independent radios
10.00 - 10.15   Tea break
10.15 - 13.00   Definitions: 'ownership, 'access' and 'participation'
13.00 - 14.00   Lunch
14.00 - 15.00   Creating a democratic culture/culture of expression
15.00 15.15     Tea break
15.15 - 1630    Identifying community needs through programming planning

Day 3   Independent radios and programming

08.30 - 10.00   Serving the needs of listeners/communities
10.00 - 10.15   Tea break
10.15 - 13.00   Making programmes for localities and communities
                        *issues to address
                        *topics to choose
                        *translating needs into programmes
13.00 - 14.00   Lunch
14.00 - 15.00   Providing information that is informative, educative and
entertaining
15.00 15.15     Tea break
15.15 - 1630    Providing information that is informative, educative and
entertaining
                        *'language' people understand
                        *cultural norms and traditions


Day 4   Creating accessible and participatory radio

08.30 - 13.00   Field trip to Radio Phoenix:
                        Listening to phone-ins, community based programmes
13.00 - 14.00   Lunch
14.00 - 15.00   Discussion
15.00 15.15     Tea break
15.15 - 1630    Participants plan accessible, participatory programmes for
radio stations back home

Day 5   Programme management

08.30 - 13.00   How to manage participatory programmes through
                        *live programmes
                        *walk-abouts
                        *technical skills: editing, use of microphones,
quality control
13.00 - 14.00   Lunch
14.00 - 15.00   Discussion
15.00 15.15     Tea break
15.15 - 1630    Evaluation


John Barker, Regional Programme
Coordinator (Broadcasting)
Media Institute of Southern Africa
Private Bag 13386,
21 Johann Albrecht Street
Windhoek, NAMIBIA
Tel: +264 61 232975 Fax +264 61 248016
E-mail johnb@ingrid.misa.org.na

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