Radio Nefzawa, the voice of the south of Tunisia

02.03.2015 - Paris, France

Among these radio stations, Radio Nefzawa is an important example of the promotion of freedom of expression and information in disadvantaged communities in Southern Tunisia. Radio Nefzawa is the only radio on the air in Kebili, a governorate situated about 500 kilometers from Tunis. Mr. Fahmi Blidaoui, founder of Radio Nefzawa, said they began online broadcasting in 2012, “with very modest ambitions and means, but a motivation that kept growing”.

After almost three years this “growing motivation” led Radio Nefzawa to become a reference for the Kebili community, serving as a voice for the needs and interests of the region. UNESCO asked Blidaoui  to tell us about his achievements with the programme.

Why did you decide to engage in this challenge?

The need defined the action. When searching for a solution, we quickly realized that the region of Kebili didn’t have a source of media that responded to its specific needs. A whole region without a voice, that appeared to me as a blatant form of exclusion.

What is your definition of community radio?

A community radio has to be close to the citizens it addresses, without distorting facts. Its listeners play a major role in this pursuit of authenticity and openness. Every Kebilian is entitled to “his” or “her” radio station, a radio station that focuses on their specific issues and aims to find in solutions.

What is the added value compared with traditional media? 

Above all is the editorial line. Radio Nefzawa made a choice that proved rather opportune in the long term – we bet on development. We covered and organized forums and tried to be the driver for a number of initiatives. These initiatives now have access to an open space for discussion. Their visibility, despite being modest, is essential at this stage.

What are the main interests and priorities of a community radio?

A community radio is far from being the most profitable project one can imagine. We started with a simple computer and a microphone, but our true wealth is our social role. Even the investors that initially contacted us had only political goals in mind. Therefore, we strengthened our will and summoned our energy from daily gestures of gratitude and the tangible effects the radio had on its immediate environment. 

How do you create a link with your community?

When the radio began, the region’s inhabitants, who are often reserved, refused to appear, debate, denounce, or speak on the programme. We had to gain credibility, create a relationship based on trust and establish our reputation in order for people to start intervening on the issues that affect them, in order for people to start expressing their complaints and concerns. 

How do you make sure that the voice of your community, including the voice of women, is represented through your radio programs?

It was hard to include the voice of women when we started. At first, we went through intermediaries to convince women to speak about their cause and their issues, even their aspirations. We bestow a particular importance to women, who are the driving force of the region, and find incredible obstacles in the exercise of their activities, their movements etc… Priority is given to them. 

What is the proportion of women members of your radio? (Journalists, technicians, managers…)?

The station today has eight permanent members from around thirty collaborators. Among these, we find a significant number of women. Five of the six journalists working at the station are women. The technical team has five women out of seven. In total, women account for about 60% of all members. It would be difficult to accuse us of being a misogynist radio station (laughs…) 

What are the major challenges your radio station faces in its daily work?

There are many challenges, and not small ones. First, we have a lot of technical difficulties, but overall movement is our Achilles’ heel. In the south, especially in Kebili, distances are huge. To do respectable, proper and timely work, one must cover kilometers without the necessary logistics. For example, in order to cover an event in Rejim Maatoug, we had to cross 250 kilometers there and back. This was no small challenge…

Do the journalists have the necessary training to produce work that responds to the job’s requirements?

If we had to evaluate the level of the journalist team, I would say that the potential is there, despite the fact that only two or three people have journalism training. The others are legal experts or hold a degree in Arabic. But the important thing is good instincts, contacts and research skills, all which make a journalist.

Was it difficult to overcome these shortcomings?

The investment of one another contributes to this. But we tried to supervise them, send them to the field in groups of 3 or 4 along with an instructor. But the road is still long.

Which partners have supported the work of your radio?

The Tunisian Syndicate of Free Radio Stations introduced us to our partners, for instance UNESCO, Deutsche Welle, and Reporters without Borders.

What was the nature of this support?

Support was primarily focused on a series of training sessions on the administrative, technical, and journalistic aspects of a radio station. UNESCO, for example, engaged in considerable work regarding the capacity building of our team. This major partner helped us to instill in our team a strong work ethic of quality journalism - from  investigation to writing and  field work. This was very instructive and enriching.

After time and resources are allocated to the training of your journalists, how do you manage to keep them when they may aspire to join more developed organizations?

Team spirit and harmony inside the establishment are essential and also the conviction of doing work that has a special value. There have been cases of members who left and then returned after realizing that even with modest means we have something to offer that the others do not (smile…)

How do you imagine the future of your radio station in the coming years?

It is imperative for us to be able to cover as quickly as possible all of the province of Kebili, a substantial challenge. We aim to extend the reach of our actions, and take on additional initiatives. We would also like to continue supporting youth as we did during a training academy we organized, which included seven projects two of which were regional in focus.

In the long run, I dream of seeing the emergence of a business that would divide into different media platforms. I remain confident. 

This activity was made possible thanks to the support of Sweden.