Spring 2020 farmradio.org

BROADCASTING IN TIMES OF CRISIS

“Since the announcement of the over the airwaves with ways to But in Uganda, there’s also a coronavirus in our country, radios improve the well being of youth. curfew and a ban on public are now selling like hotcakes But COVID-19 has changed the and private cars. The station is because there is a need for realities faced by those youth. recording their shows in advance information. The people of the if they take place after curfew, villages have only the radio to Schools have closed, which and some presenters are also inform themselves.” means youth are spending more sleeping at the station. time at home. For young women, Théophile Nébié is the head that means the threat of a forced It’s been challenging, but Muribu of programs at Radio Loudon marriage has increased. is concerned about keeping the in Sapouy, Burkina Faso. voices of farmers on air. He’s among a number of his As a result, Radio Loudon is not colleagues across the African only addressing the health risks “Farming has to continue, and continent who are doing faced by communities, but how people need to produce,” he says extraordinary work in response to the changes are impacting the — and his programs reflect that. COVID-19. most vulnerable — especially women and girls. In times of crisis, radio becomes For Théophile, that’s meant an essential service. For many, different things. In some cases, Radio Loudon is not alone especially in hard to reach and it’s simply playing the role in adapting programming to vulnerable communities, it is the journalists play everywhere: COVID-19. Radio Simba in only place people have access to delivering quality information Uganda is doing the same. lifesaving and crucial information. about COVID-19 in ways Presenters there are recording his listening audience can audio spots that inform listeners For Miribu, Théophile, and understand and use to stay safe. — but that also stay upbeat. broadcasters across the But Théophile is also working continent, they are on the front on a project with Farm Radio “We designed our lines of the COVID-19 pandemic International where we address — doing essential work to keep the nutrition, health and sexual messages so that however their communities safe and and reproductive health of youth. much they might be scary healthy.

Working with Helen Keller we convey them to the Support broadcasters International, through financial listeners in a welcoming across Africa by donating to our Rapid support of Global Affairs Canada, way and style,” the project supports school, Emergency Fund at community and parental groups Muribu Ali, Radio Simba presenter farmradio.org/covid19 SUPPORTING RADIO JOURNALISM DURING COVID-19

For many in the communities rural broadcasters serve, radio is the only source of information. And, like the rest of us, broadcasters are adapting to a new reality under the threat of COVID-19. Answers to questions about symptoms, transmission, and how to prevent the coronavirus are critical. For Farm Radio International’s partner broadcasters, it’s equally important to consider how to adapt this information for rural Africans, many of whom face a BROADCASTERS different reality than those who live in the city. That’s why Farm Radio is working in five different areas SUPPORT LOCUST to support radio broadcasters as they adapt to this crisis: RESPONSE Rapid Emergency Fund We’ve launched an emergency fund to support broadcasters and radio stations as While COVID-19 has captured the attention of they develop exceptional communication the world, several countries in East Africa are efforts to underserved communities where facing an additional threat: locusts. they are needed most. In Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia swarms of Broadcaster hotline locusts are hitting fields in waves, devouring Our digital innovation team has developed much of what is in their path. In May, they a broadcaster rapid response call-in numbered in the trillions. service and chat bot, where broadcasters can access FAQs, fact check information The Food and Agriculture Organization of the and ask questions in real time. United Nations warns that the locust swarms Broadcaster resources “represent an unprecedented threat to food We’re actively developing, sharing security and livelihoods in East Africa.” and distributing good gender sensitive information to broadcasters so they are “Most farmers are just worried, because they equipped and can stay safe while getting don’t know if they should focus themselves to information to their listeners about how to avoid catching COVID-19, or if they should go stop the spread of COVID-19. out to look after their animals,” says Velma Creating connections Odwori, a presenter at Biftu Radio in Marsabit We’ve set up online spaces to give radio county, one of the counties in Kenya hit broadcasters a place to learn from each particularly hard by the locusts. other about best practices in COVID-19 radio programming. There are no easy solutions, but Farm Radio International is working with broadcasters to get Creating connections them resources they can use on air to support We’re adapting our current radio project farmers in their listening communities. programming in Africa to meet the needs of communities affected by COVID-19 and to prevent further spread of the virus. “We are just trying because it is a service to humanity.” Hear from African broadcasters about the challenges they are facing right We’ve developed a series of eight radio spots now — Watch our online town hall: Radio that broadcasters can translate, record, and Journalism in a Time of Crisis at play on their radio stations throughout the day. farmradio.org/townhall Continued above » Some focus on the facts. Some Now they’re still doing that Velma says she’s been tell farmers what they can do if — but also keeping listeners translating the resources they see a swarm. Others look at informed on how to stay safe in provided by Farm Radio into how farmers can stay safe while the face of the coronavirus. It’s Borona and Swahili, the pesticide spraying happens. not an easy task to balance. languages spoken by her listeners, and using them on air. “With the locusts we mostly “Radio is very important because track them,” says Velma. most people here are not rich, It’s an uphill battle right now, “Listeners would tell us where but most can afford a radio. both against the locusts and to the locusts are and we would tell So most rely fully on radio convince her listeners of the real the government.” for information,” says Velma. threat COVID-19 presents. Still, “What we tell them they believe, Velma is not giving up anytime because we pass the information soon. on how it relates to them.” 1,000 PARTNERS AND COUNTING

We’re so excited to welcome our 1,000th broadcasting partner to our network! Almost 100 kilometres from Space” and Thiamm ak mbay or there is not enough space for Dakar, Ngoundiane FM is “Livestock and Agriculture.” The their cattle because of farms. a Senegalese community programs are broadcast in Wolof Farmers, already facing low radio station that believes in and Sérère. yields, say that they need all finding solutions for farmers. their land for a good harvest. Ngoundiane FM joined our Eutou Baykatt Yior shares the network of broadcasting partners experiences and highlights the “Through this program, we in March 2020, becoming our challenges of farmers. have been able to make people 1,000th partner. understand … that they can live “It is an interactive programme together, that everyone can do Since the beginning, Farm that allows farmers to ask their own thing.” Radio International has always questions,” says Aliou Tine,the partnered with local radio radio station’s director. It is rarely easy to find stations and broadcasters. solutions to the problems of the Through resources like scripts, “And of course, when they ask agricultural world. That’s why backgrounders and how-to questions, it’s to get an answer.” Ngoundiane FM tries to engage guides, as well as a newswire, a specialized resource person and online training opportunities This is why each episode of as a guest to help explain the and mentorship, Farm Radio Farmers’ Space features regional technical aspects of each topic. works with our broadcasting farmers who discuss their work. partners to support their work When other farmers call in, they Since the station became a Farm and improve their programming. ask questions of the guests who Radio International partner, try to answer them on-air. wNgoundiane FM staff have In 1979 we had only 34 partners participated in a workshop where — now we have 1,000! Thiamm ak mbay, on the other they were oriented on how to hand, focuses on interactions use Farm Radio resources to Located in the agricultural region between farmers and herders, improve their programming. of Thiès, Ngoundiane FM has and cooperation between the a broadcasting radius of 70 two groups. Since then, says Aliou, they feel kilometres. more capable of communicating Conflicts often arise between — and cooperating — with rural The station has two programs the groups because farmers listeners. that specifically target farmers: and herders cross over into Eutou Baykatt Yior, or “Farmers’ each other’s area. Herders say 2020 LIZ HUGHES AWARD WINNER FOR HER FARM RADIO: UGANDA COMMUNITY GREEN RADIO

The Liz Hughes Award, named By recording their voices and The broadcasters at Uganda after former board member and inviting them onto the show, the Community Green Radio CBC broadcaster Liz Hughes, program has helped local women believe that they can make a is awarded to programs that gain confidence. The women see difference by recording women’s amplify the voices of women and the program as a safe space to voices telling their own stories. address local gender equality talk about issues without fear, They also make a point of issues. and a place where they can hold hosting successful women and their leaders accountable. supportive men to discuss how Aware that the stories of women they can change the status quo. went untold and underreported, “This radio has changed the lives the staff at Uganda Community of many women,” says Norah Penina Ruhindi is another member of the Kigaaga listener Green Radio set out to make Bahongye, a member of the club. She says the members of a change — they started a Kigaaga listener club in Kabaale the club are putting the lessons program designed to amplify village. from the radio station into the voices of rural women: the action. Nyinabwenge women’s program. “I did not know that me as bahongye, a rural peasant “When we listen, we reflect on The Nyinabwenge program farmer, can be on the radio. our community and identify the runs every Saturday evening I thank the radio management challenges talked about. We then for two hours, at a time that for aiming at amplifying [the try to find solutions. Like now is convenient for rural women, voices of] women. I have we are taking it upon ourselves who are often busy during the indigenous knowledge on as listener club members to day. It addresses topics like farming, like best seed selection encourage women to gain policy-making, the protection and pest control, which I have confidence and speak up on of property rights, food security shared on radio, and people issues affecting them and defend and identifies gender gaps even come looking for me to their rights. We encourage across the community. learn.” women to go on radio.”

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Contributors: Tara Sprickerhoff, Hannah Tellier, Moses Provabs, Katie Burnham, Vijay Cuddeford, Nadine Tarnagda, Stanley Ongwae Design: Tom Jansen