"The findings of this research have indicated that Radio Madang [the public service broadcaster in Madang province] is an appropriate medium for disseminating information and messages on development issues to people in rural areas of Madang province. With an audience of about 200,000 throughout the
...
province, Radio Madang has the potential to help shape the future of this province throught the different development programmes it produces. However, in recent years, the government has not been fully utilizing this medium due to various reasons listed below." (Conclusions & recommendations, page 155)
more
"How should scholars approach the study of the developmental uses of rural radio? What is the theoretical framework within which to locate the study of rural radio formats employed as development communication? To answer these questions, this brief critique develops a theoretical matrix to be used a
...
s an analytical framework for positioning any discussion of rural radio as a development communication pathway. Building on rural radio case studies from the world over, the discussion propounds three trajectories encompassing linear-external, shared-bottom up and self-bottom up approaches, which formulate a matrix for understanding the use of rural radio in development." (Abstract)
more
"This study reviews and analyses what has already been documented on the links between radio-based communication strategies and rural development outcomes, particularly with regards to smallholder farming and food security outcomes. The report explores best radio practices, including issues related
...
to optimal formats, schedules, production qualities, and station management, based on 17 case studies from India, the Philippines, Tanzania, Mali, Malawi, Mozambique, Ghana, and South Africa. The key findings include: testimonials and jingles facilitate the best recall and comprehension of messages (Philippines); radio forums strengthen rural decision-making structures (Tanzania); radio programmes created by communities attract high listenership (Malawi); and farm radio is more effective when linked with new information and communication technologies (Ghana). The research also identified some knowledge gaps: the lack of evaluation as an integrated element in radio campaign planning; the need to conduct regular audience surveys; the limited use of non-participatory effectiveness studies and the limited scope of evaluations focusing on the impact of just one or two programmes." (CAMECO Update 5-2008)
more
"This study claims to be one of the first attempts to explore the field of radio economics in rural Africa. Based on in-depth questionnaires filled in by 15 radio stations in Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Ghana and Mali, it found that the costs vary widely according to the type of ownership, i.e. public
...
, commercial or community radio. The average start-up costs fluctuate between $50,000 and 100,000. The annual operating costs range between $20,000 to $540,000 for public broadcasters, $2,500 to $930,000 for commercial stations and $2,500 to $286,000 for community stations. The costs of programming are largely dependant on the level of interactivity of the programme format, the accessibility of additional resources to produce specialised programmes, and the type of station producing the programme. The study found that community stations tended to invest more resources in interactive programming with community involvement and less on in-studio formats. The sale of airtime is important revenue for most stations. There is no shortage of investment for starting up radio stations (in particular community radios), but the common challenge remains the sustainability beyond the initial investment." (CAMECO Update 1-2009)
more
"Communication for Empowerment is an initiative which, in its global context, aims to enable average citizens including those from marginalised strata of society and those living in poverty to take informed decisions on their own lives, have access to channels that allow their voice to be heard and
...
have access to public spaces of local dialogue and debate [...] Mozambique is one of five countries coming forward as interested in taking part in the pilot research process, testing the tool in three districts in Mozambique: Mandlakazi, Dondo and Monapo. In each of the districts, needs assessments focused on identifying the information and communication needs of vulnerable and marginalised communities. We report here on how their needs were or were not met with existing media approaches. From this we will be able to engage in dialogue with people from these three districts to determine how they plan to alter the media environment for the better." (Executive summary)
more