The development of the radio sector in Lao PDR is slow, especially in the northern, mountainous part of the country where radio signal cannot reach many communities. Like the rest of the country’s media sector, Lao National Radio lacks the equipment for developing radio networks. Its capacity needs to be enhanced if it is to compete with international broadcasters and growing new media.
 
Nearly 44 percent of the country’s total population (6.3 million) is regarded as a member of various minority ethnic groups. Xiengkho District, one of the 47 poorest districts of Laos, has been chosen as site for this project due to the absence of a local radio service. Many radio listeners listen to Lao National Radio (LNR) on the shortwave band despite very poor sound quality. The broadcast from LNR station in Vientiane reflects the perspectives of the capital city and is produced in Lao language, understood only by certain sectors of the population. A small number of programmes are broadcast in major ethnic languages. The Government is keen to provide relevant quality radio programmes in local languages to people living in remote areas. Local radio stations occupy an important role in providing information services corresponding to local listeners’ needs and interests in terms of content, language and culture. For this reason, the Government, the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism as well as the LNR wish to install an FM transmitter or provide a local radio station to the Xiengkho District of Huaphan Province. Through this project, staff will be trained and a local radio station with community participation will be created in an effort to contribute to and promote community development, lifelong learning and cultural diversity.