UNESCO Office in Windhoek 38-44 Stein Street, Klein Windhoek, P.O. Box 24519, Windhoek, Namibia
Better and wider access to ICT is said to be changing the way community radio produce and broadcast their programmes
April 2014- CI Windhoek Namibia, As one of the activities planned by UNESCO Windhoek office as a part of the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) funded project, a training was conducted for 6 correspondents and a monitoring focal person for Jozi Fm radio. The training that took place from 24-28 March 2014 aimed at establishing a network of correspondents and increases their knowledge of ICTS in various areas to support local programming and broadcasting.
Strengthening the capacity of radio staff on the use of the Internet for journalistic production and broadcast and providing knowledge on online platforms that support information delivery as well as communication both within the radio and towards listeners were key aspects of the training for the newly established network of correspondents. The correspondents acquired skills to report news, using ICTs and mobile media reporting.
The training looked at different FOSS Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) tools suitable for integration into radio programming and network development. The discussions also focused on how Jozi Fm currently using mobile telephony and social media in relation to the challenges the stations face on daily basis. In addition, the training introduced how target audiences use social media to interact with the station. Participants were encouraged to use suitable Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in radio production, broadcasting and to use different ICTs tools to interact with Jozi Fm Listeners.
Another aspect of the training was the role of correspondents at Jozi Fm and the role of the community in programming and broadcasting. This discussion focused on different platforms of engagement by the correspondents with the audience in order to build upon these platforms with the integration of ICTs online, mobile phones and radio.
The training was complemented with addressing ethical aspects regarding the use of online platforms and mobiles as well as digital media ethics. Some of the ethical points covered are: anonymity, speed rumours and correction, impartiality and conflict of interest. The participants practised the concepts by opening a Google account, Whatsapp, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook page for Jozi FM, then the correspondents shared content and networking through those platforms.
Lastly, participants practiced producing radio programmes using smart mobile phones and voice recorders in the vicinity of the radio stations relating to issues of public concern such as crime, drugs and alcohol abuse, and gender based violence, unemployment, etc. using FOSS.
