Interactive Radio for Justice: Mid-Project Impact Assessment Analysis

This 70-page report, published by Interactive Radio for Justice (IRfJ), details the results of the first year of a two-year impact assessment being conducted on the Interactive Radio for Justice project at its sites of operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Central African Republic (CAR). Interactive Radio for Justice is a project designed to encourage dialogue between people in regions where the International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating serious crimes (genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes) and the national and international authorities responsible for rendering justice to them. The project produces a number of serial radio programmes dealing with child soldiers, peace and reconciliation, and justice which broadcast over community radio in several languages.

The primary approach to data gathering was quantitative, although a large amount of qualitative data was also collected. According to the report, this mixed-method approach was designed to yield as much information as possible on listeners' views on the project, as well as their knowledge of, and beliefs on, justice and the law. Surveys were conducted with listening groups in Goma and Kasugho (DRC) and in Bangui, Bambari, and Berberati (CAR) before they began listening to the programmes, and again after the first year of project activity. In Ituri District, DRC, where the project has been active since 2005, individual and group interviews were also conducted with respondents from a diversity of target groups and social backgrounds.

The research findings showed that in one site, 55% of those surveyed felt that the programmes have allowed the local authorities to better understand their needs. A significant majority (86%) of Congolese authorities interviewed in Bunia, Ituri District, reported that the programmes have enhanced their awareness of the needs of the population. In addition, 50% of ICC respondents (including both field staff and staff based in The Hague) also said that the programmes had raised their awareness of these needs. According to the report, this impact was particularly noticeable for ICC staff based in The Hague, for whom IRfJ is a key source of direct information on the population's needs.

Across the listening groups in the new IRfJ sites, the majority (78%) reported having an increased understanding of the role of ICC authorities after listening to the programmes. Before listening to IRfJ programming, 61% of listening group members in DRC and CAR reported having heard of the ICC. After the first year, this figure had risen to 93%. There was also a 44% increase in the number of listening group members reporting being at least moderately informed on the role of governmental authorities; for judicial authorities, there was a 40% increase.

In all sites except one there were decreases, rather than increases, in the number of listening group members reporting having accessed a judicial authority in the past three months. However, there are several reasons for this, including whether members consider themselves to be in a position to consult a judicial authority, and whether they had problems that would require them to do so. Other barriers include being asked for money when they attempt to consult an authority, as well as the cost and difficulties associated with travelling to meet an authority. However, a high percentage of listening group members in the new sites (92%) and the existing sites (86%) reported that they had an increased awareness of their ability to effect positive change.

In terms of listeners’ confidence in the programmes, 95% of respondents in the new sites and 97% of respondents in the existing sites reported having confidence in IRfJ as a source of reliable information. Data also shows that a number of different target communities, ethnic and social groups have been consulted to pose their questions for IRfJ programmes, though over time significantly more men than women have posed questions. In addition, more men than women reported listening to IRfJ programmes regularly.

The evaluation contains a number of recommendations for improving IRfJ’s programming based on a number of IRfJ's outcome goals. This includes creating links between the population and the authorities; using music; holding contests; collecting more questions from women; rebranding in local languages; creating radio spots to advertise the programmes; producing programming in more local languages; creating partnerships with additional local radios; and providing funding to listening groups for community-based activities.