Community-Radio

This report investigates the theory and operation of community radio as an information-sharing tool for rural development in Africa. Using three case studies, the report seeks to highlight the positive results of a well-organised community radio operation, as well as discuss the obstacles to effective communication through rural radio. The report was published in response to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Education for All Forum (EFA) held in Dakar in 2000, which emphasised the power of community radio to overcome the challenges of high illiteracy rates, the limits of formal education, and geographic and cultural boundaries.

The report is divided into three parts:

• Part I : Climate, Communications and Innovative Technologies: Potential Impacts and Sustainability of New Radio and Internet Linkages in Rural African Communities

This case study examines the progress of an information and communications support network called RANET. The RANET system, named for its linkage of radio and Internet, brings new communications and information technologies together with the oral traditions of Africa to deliver scientific drought information over a distributed network owned and managed by local communities. Initiated in Niger in 2000 and Uganda in 2001, RANET has proved to be more than just a drought monitoring system, inviting rural health and civil society to partake in its communication strategy in creative capacities to address a variety of local needs.


• Part II : Portable FM radio stations - Broadcasting With the Sun

This case study discusses the progress of the Apac project located in the northern regions of Uganda. In order to maintain a reliable broadcasting schedule and develop the station as a centre point to community activities by different groups, Radio Apac operates entirely on solar power. This study emphasises the technological innovations that are incumbent in rural community radio projects such as Apac.


• Part III : Effective Community Radio in Education

The final case study uses the example of community radio programmes in South Africa to underline the necessity for community radio to be considered as a reliable source of education until the goal of widespread access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) for the majority of rural communities across the developing world is realised. Community radio developments in South Africa provide an example, according to the author, because “radio, and community radio in particular, was seen as a powerful vehicle for communities, learners and teachers to access the 'new pedagogy' consistent with the transformation programme in the educational sector.”