13 Aug 2014 Training Vernacular Broadcasters on Poverty

Communication and Poverty

Cameroon

The media landscape in Cameroon underwent significant changes after the 1990 media liberalization brought an end to the monopoly of State-owned media. A plethora of community and rural radio stations emerged that led to a diversity of news content disseminated both to the rural and urban population and to better access to information. In addition, increased use of national languages has encouraged many vernacular broadcasters who, unfortunately, lack adequate training.
Radio Eden organised a training programme to upgrade the skills and techniques of vernacular broadcasters. Activities included the creation of a database of local radio stations in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon, particularly those that emphasize the use of local languages in their programming; two regional workshops with vernacular broadcasters; training in rural communication and methodologies; production of 20 pro-poor micro-programmes; provision of basic technical equipment; and forming a regional network of vernacular broadcasters. The project enabled them to identify, package and deliver pro-poor programmes in the two rural regions. The project was important since vernacular broadcasters are constantly using the language that their constituencies, they are the ones that are mostly in direct contact with the poorest people and therefore the sector is seen by Eden Radio FM as a key-player in the anti-poverty struggle in Cameroon.
As a result of the project 35 national language broadcaters from all the divisions of Cameroon’s southwest region have up-draded their production and broadcasting skills and are better able to provide resource and leadership for the future through the newly created National Language Broadcasters Association. In the north west region 50 vernacular broadcasters upgraded their radio skills and created the Cameroon Association of National Lanugage broadcast.
Both groups now have access to and are able to use proficiently the database of rural and local stations which was created at the end of the project.

Final Report

End of Project Report