Radio’s (Community) Role in Democracy and Development Grace Githaiga June 3, 2009 Presentation at the Center for International Media Assistance

EcoNews Africa (ENA) EcoNews Africa is a not-for-profit sub-regional non- governmental organization (NGO) registered in the Republic of Kenya. EcoNews Africa’s scope of operation is East Africa, which is comprised of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Also carries out some of its operations within Southern Africa, as well as within several networks of Civil Society Organizations within and outside Africa.

ENA EcoNews Africa was established by a group of Kenyan NGO workers as a facility to meet the information requirements of NGOs in East Africa. The aim was to enhance the quality of involvement in certain decision-making processes at the international level that impinge on sustainable development in East Africa.

ENA The overriding purpose of EcoNews Africa is to place East African NGOs and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) at the centre of decision-making processes by promoting timely strategic information flows at all levels, particularly on issues of economic justice, environment and community media

Community Radio ENA has pioneered the establishment of community radios in the Eastern Africa region. Broadcasting in Kenya and in the region embraces the three tiered: Public (National/State), commercial (including vernacular) and community.

Understanding Community Radio (CR) Community radio is a sector that allows communities to develop and own communication structures through generation of content, and managing the systems. Community radio stations are owned and operated by the communities they serve. They are non-profit, non-partisan, and usually non- sectarian, and operate in a participatory way, relying on volunteers for reporters, producers and newscasters.

CR…Cont. Through community radio, poor constituencies such as women, are developing their own news programs and present discussions on matters affecting their community. They share information in a language they understand. This allows them to name such topics as poverty in a language that they understand as well as articulate their social agendas and bring the same into national foras.

CR…Cont. Good examples include Mangelete women’s radio in Kenya and Mama FM in Uganda, Kagadi Kibale in Uganda serving the marginalized, and Orkonerei radio services in Simanjiro in Tanzania. Theses debate issues (at times taboo subjects), produce weekly programs, and develop talkback radio programs by phone or mail drop. Mangelete’s popular programs include those of reproductive health, nutrition and campaigns to stop illegal brews. For Kagadi, a popular program is on gender violence, which has developed into a rapid response unit for abused women.

CR…Cont. Community radio programming is engendering a process, where poor constituencies isolated and marginalized are becoming energized, developing informed opinions, and becoming more adept at using information to protect themselves, to make informed decisions and to get results.

CR…Cont. Community radios deal with issues that are of a political nature and sensitive. Trees, water, food, lack of adequate resources etc. Through the radio, there is an improvement in awareness of different issues as a result of communication (as demonstrated by call ins and text messages). Realization of the value of information

Radio’s role in Kenya’s democracy ENA participated in the Voter Education Project supported by the UNDP. The project was implemented under the broad title: Community Media for Voter Education. The overall Voter Education program aimed at providing Kenyans with the opportunity to understand the voting processes as well as issues of democratic leadership, accountability and governance to enable them make their choice during the 2007 general from an informed position.

Democracy…cont. The activities undertaken included: Production of Radio Programs for Radio Mang’elete (89.1 FM), in Makueni district Recording of Radio listening groups Production and distribution of monthly newssheets in Laikipia district Puppet, music, song and dance shows in Laikipia.

… “voices from the people” Audiences appreciated the initiative and requested that the exercise be conducted continuously, and in a sustainable manner, and not only when elections are close by. One of the ways of bringing to an end the culture of handouts during elections is exposing people to voter education for a long period before elections. Voter education should be delinked completely from elections to avoid misunderstanding and misuse. Teaching materials should be readily available and written in a simple language, if possible in the vernacular language widely spoken in the area.

… “voices from the people” There were specific requests for more of such radio programs based on the understanding that such education would enable voters to elect honest and competent leaders, who would positively change lives in their communities and the country at large.

… “voices from the people Topics that generated debate (call ins and text messages) were on those of qualities of a good leader, and understanding political parties. Audiences viewed these as a choice between a good and a bad government. Less interesting topics were the voting process as audiences seemed aware of what is required of them in this process.

Democracy… “voices from the people The common refrain from audiences was for the voter education exercise to be de-linked from the elections period and be conducted continuously. And if possible be spaced at intervals during the five year period.

Radio’s role in democracy and development Representation, where it enables ordinary voices to be heard. Deliberation, where it provides a forum for discussion, debate and a presentation of a wide range of voices (people’s parliament). In this, it also plays the agenda setting role by figuring out which issues and topics are of crucial concern. Promotes norms of democracy. Community radio is itself deemed a democracy in that people rule themselves when they manage it.

Radio’s role in democracy and development Promotes accountability by authorities when it monitors sources of power e.g. conducting social audits. This means that radio independently scrutinizes the workings of powerful institutions with the aim of promoting public interest. Through information dissemination, it enables citizens to enter into informed debate. Info is necessary to catalyze development. Where community radio is concerned, citizens can more easily relate the lessons being learned to their own experiences, therefore giving them more meaning. This brings about organic growth and political consciousness.

The Challenge… Just how fully must the public be in order to meet the requirements of democracy? Can radio instill in its audiences a curiosity about politics and a willingness and desire to become more informed? Being informed, may not be a requirement for democracy-unless the public uses the information to choose whether and how to engage with and intervene in politics. Informing citizens is irrelevant to democracy unless that process leads to some political outcome. It is important to address not just what information radio provides and what audiences learn, but what they do with that information.

Conclusion One way of assessing whether the public is informed enough for democracy is to evaluate if info provided by radio is sufficient to motivate audiences to intervene in ongoing political and social processes, civic engagement and political interest, knowledge about politics and attitudes.

ENDS THANK YOU