Strengthening the capacity of Radio Bontico 96.9 FM
The media development in Sierra Leone has improved through the practice of plurality and liberalization with local newspapers and several radio stations country-wide. There are about eighty registered newspapers and only one public service broadcaster (SLBC) and about forty Community radio stations including Radio Bontico with various diversified radio programs for their targeted audience. Sierra Leone is a country that enjoys freedom of expression in its dissemination of information. The category of Media requested for support by this project is our rural community inhabitants whose development and participation in Sierra Leone’s democratic process through radio is critical. The purpose of the project is to upgrade the standard of the community radio station (Radio Bontico) that is serving the entire Bonthe District so that the voices of the people in that district will be brought to the national platform through the Independent Radio Network, IRN of which Radio Bontico is a member.
UNESCO contracted the Independent Radio Network to implement the project. Radio transmitters and transmission accessories were procured, while studio equipment and accessories were purchased. A broadcast studio was set up and broadcast staff were trained on programming and management. The station how broadcasts twenty-four hours a day.