Media programmes support poverty alleviation in Tonga
06-07-2006 (Apia)
An outer island mother frustrated at the small catch of the day
© UNESCO Office for the Pacific States
The Tonga Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) has recently completed a series of hard-hitting radio and TV programmes on poverty and possible solutions in Tonga.
With funding provided by UNESCO's International Programme for the Development of Communications (IPDC), the programmes were broadcast on the TBC radio and TV network to widespread critical acclaim.
The purpose of the programmes was to report on to the Tongan general public on living standards and developments taking place in all five Tongan island groups.
There was a particular focus on the very remote Ha’apai Group which has been adversely affected by outward migration to the capital Tongatapu and overseas.
The programmes were structured on the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) especially Food security (MDG1); Education (MDG2); Health (MDG4 -6); Environment (MDG7), Shelter (MDG7); Youth and Children (MDG8).
The format of the programmes consisted of interviews and research surveys resulting in 10 x 30 minute programmes in the Tongan language thatadvised the Tongan public on the current state of each topic goal and allow individuals in each village and society to voice their concern regarding the MDGs. They also offered recommendations based on data and information collected.
TBC formed 2 teams consisting of a producer, camera person and sound engineer. The teams toured the five island groups from January through to March 2006.
The comprehensive TBC Report is available for download including a 5 minute excerpt of 1 of the TV programs.
TBC believes the programmes accurately capture the standards of living and slow pace of development in Tonga. The programmes are designed to provide Government and NGOs to better plan poverty alleviation programmes and a more comprehensive blueprint for achieving the MDGs by 2015.
The purpose of the programmes was to report on to the Tongan general public on living standards and developments taking place in all five Tongan island groups.
There was a particular focus on the very remote Ha’apai Group which has been adversely affected by outward migration to the capital Tongatapu and overseas.
The programmes were structured on the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) especially Food security (MDG1); Education (MDG2); Health (MDG4 -6); Environment (MDG7), Shelter (MDG7); Youth and Children (MDG8).
The format of the programmes consisted of interviews and research surveys resulting in 10 x 30 minute programmes in the Tongan language thatadvised the Tongan public on the current state of each topic goal and allow individuals in each village and society to voice their concern regarding the MDGs. They also offered recommendations based on data and information collected.
TBC formed 2 teams consisting of a producer, camera person and sound engineer. The teams toured the five island groups from January through to March 2006.
The comprehensive TBC Report is available for download including a 5 minute excerpt of 1 of the TV programs.
TBC believes the programmes accurately capture the standards of living and slow pace of development in Tonga. The programmes are designed to provide Government and NGOs to better plan poverty alleviation programmes and a more comprehensive blueprint for achieving the MDGs by 2015.
Catch of the day© UNESCO Office for the Pacific States
Vava'u School with broken windows and leaking roof© UNESCO Office for the Pacific States
Related themes/countries
· Tonga
· Creative Content: News Archives 2006
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- Abel Caine, UNESCO Apia Office
- UNESCO Office for the Pacific States
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- UNESCO Office for the Pacific States
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