The workshop sought to equip correspondents with news gathering and writing techniques; skills required for effective planning and producing radio programmes that are relevant, participatory and gender sensitive; and provide correspondents with the necessary skills and knowledge on how to use ICTs in radio programming, conducting interviews, collecting feedback and testimonies among others.
Participants were introduced to the basics of journalism, including how to identify news and come up with stories that are relevant to the local community. All the correspondents, who had no basic qualifications in journalism, were shown the differences between community, commercial and public service broadcasting. Importantly, they were taught that community radios are owned by the community and should therefore seek to promote and protect the interests of the public rather than individuals. They are non-profit making but should strive to be sustainable so as to avoid external interference. It was highlighted that correspondents should always get community views into their programmes, monitor the impact of their programmes and incorporate feedback for the betterment of their programmes and the community at large.