Community Radio
This section provides resources on community radio basics, technical tips and tricks, along with programming ideas and resources.
Community Radio
Introduction
AMARC, the World Association of Community Broadcasters, describes community radio as follows:
When radio fosters the participation of citizens and defends their interests; when it reflects the tastes of the majority and makes good humour and hope its main purpose; when it truly informs; when it helps resolve the thousand and one problems of daily life; when all ideas are debated in its programs and all opinions are respected; when cultural diversity is stimulated over commercial homogeneity; when women are main players in communication and not simply a pretty voice or a publicity gimmick; when no type of dictatorship is tolerated, not even the musical dictatorship of the big recording studios; when everyone's words fly without discrimination or censorship, that is community radio.
Web Radio - General
Independence and Integrity II: The Updated Ethics Guide for Public Radio Journalism
Developed by: Corporation for Public Broadcasting: Dr. Alan G. Stavitsky and Jeffrey Dvorkin Type of resource: PDF guide Target audience: General Cost: Free access
This guide provides an overview of some of the most important ethical issues that face public radio, as identified by public radio journalists. It offers principles and standards for ethical practice, in keeping with public radio's commitment to the highest standards of journalism.
Dhttp://www.cpb.org/radio/ethicsguide/
Internet and E-mail Basics - General
Where to find training?
Developed by: African Women's Media Centre Type of resource: website Target audience: General Cost: Free access
The following list of resources includes programmes where journalists can obtain specific skill-building, reporting and management training.
Dhttp://www.awmc.com/programs/index.php
Community Radio - Basics
The Africa Community Radio Manager's Book
Developed by: AMARC Type of resource: Word document Target audience: General Cost: Free access
Many people can tell community radio operators what they need to do but not exactly how they should do it. In this workbook, no one will tell you what to do. But we will talk about how things happen in a community radio station. And we will use examples, so that you understand. Then you can see what you need to do to get what you want for your station.
This is the pilot copy. Testing and evaluation is under way and final edition of this manual will be available early 2003.
Community Radio - Content development
Radio Talkshows for Peacebuilding - a guide
Developed by: Search for Common Ground Type of resource: Web site Target audience: General Cost: Free access
A short guide for radio presenters/producers and others in how to do talk shows in a way which helps reduce rather than increase conflict. You need to register (for free) to download the guides.
Dhttp://www.radiopeaceafrica.org/index.cfm?lang=en
BBC News Styleguide
Developed by: BBC Training & Development Type of resource: website Target audience: General, Trainers Cost: Free access
Avoid clichés and improve your journalism with this PDF version of the BBC News Styleguide. The Guide gives practical suggestions on many aspects of journalism style, including abbreviations, clichés, reported speech - and how to avoid irritating your editor.
Dhttp://www.bbctraining.com/pdfs/newsstyleguide.pdf
Building Blocks for Common Ground Talk
Developed by: Search For Common Ground Type of resource: PDF Target audience: General Cost: Free access
This leaflet introduces useful ideas on interviewing techniques which highlight points of agreement between two sides in a conflict rather than emphasising the differences. It suggests ways in which broadcasters can deal with hot issues by focussing on areas of genuinely shared values and concerns, and so contribute positively to the eventual resolution of that conflict rather than emphasising the divisions.
Children, Violence and the Media in an Expanding Europe
Developed by: Press Wise Type of resource: Web site Target audience: General Cost: Free access
PressWise has taken a special interest in issues associated with media coverage of children and children's engagement with the media including devising and delivering training around the world. Have a look at the extensive list of useful online manuals on reporting issues related to children.
Dhttp://www.presswise.org.uk/display_page.php?id=71
MEDIA & HIV/AIDS in East and Southern Africa
Developed by: UNESCO Type of resource: website Target audience: General Cost: Free access
This resource book includes practical guidelines and strategies for effective reporting of HIV/AIDS issues.
Dhttp://www.unesco.org/webworld/publications/media_ aids/index.html
Step by Step guide to Radio Browsing
Developed by: UNESCO/OneWorld Type of resource: real media Target audience: General Cost: Free access
What are the benefits of "Radio Browsing" radio format and how to do it.
Dhttp://portal.unesco.org/ci/ev.php?URL_ID=5590&URL _DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201&reload=1054043785
Radio programs on HIV/AIDS - 23 steps to success
Developed by: Farm Radio Network Type of resource: Web article Target audience: General Cost: Free access
Suggestions to help meet the challenge of creating effective programs about HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.
Dhttp://www.farmradio.org/english/hivaids_2.html
"Voices of Youth" Training Guidelines
Developed by: OneWorld Type of resource: Web site Target audience: General Cost: Free access
The Moab, UT-based Voices of Youth project has developed a handbook for youth radio production training. This easy-to-read resource for documentary production was written by Project Director Bruce Hucko, a photographer who brings an artistic eye and ear to radio sound design, recording and interviewing skills.
How to Write a Radio Serial Drama for Social Development: A Script Writer's Manual
Developed by: Johns Hopkins University School of Health Type of resource: PDF (long) Target audience: General Cost: Free access
This book by Esta de Fossard is a "practical manual for script writers preparing radio serial dramas for development projects. It will be useful both for novices and experienced script writers who have not yet written drama that educates as well as entertains."
Dhttp://www.jhuccp.org/pubs/fg/3/3.pdf
Interviewing for Radio
Developed by: BBC Training & development Type of resource: Web site Target audience: General, Trainers Cost: Free access
A guide to preparing for interviews for radio, including live studio interviews and vox pops.
Dhttp://www.bbctraining.com/onlineCourse.asp?tID=25 55&cat=2772
MMTK Radio Browsing Unit
Developed by: OneWorld Type of resource: MS Word files Target audience: General, Trainers Cost: Free access
Using the "radio browsing" approach, community radio stations give their listeners access to a wealth of information from the Internet. This workshop kit offers materials which trainers can use as the basis of face-to-face workshops. The handout will be of value to anyone wanting to learn about radio browsing.
Dhttp://www.itrainonline.org/itrainonline/mmtk/radi obrowsing.shtml
Producing Content for Radio
Developed by: MMTK Type of resource: MS Word files Target audience: General, Trainers Cost: Free access
Developed by AMARC and aimed at trainers in community radio, this workshop kit covers topics including interviewing, presenting and editing. Part of the Multimedia Training Kit.
Dhttp://www.itrainonline.org/itrainonline/mmtk/radi ocontent.shtml
Radio Drama Techniques
Developed by: from Alan Beck, Lecturer in Drama at the University of Kent, UK Type of resource: web site Target audience: General Cost: Free access
Visit this website for tips on how to produce a radio drama, advice on how to use radio equipment to create different sound effects and much more!
Dhttp://www.kent.ac.uk/sdfva/technique/index.html
Reporting Human Rights and Humanitarian Stories
Developed by: Produced by Jo-Anne Velin Type of resource: website Target audience: General Cost: Free access
Produced by Jo-Anne Velin with Human Rights Internet & The International Centre for Humanitarian Reporting
This handbook is aimed to help journalists report on issues around human rights.
Dhttp://www.hri.ca/doccentre/docs/handbook97/
13 story ideas for radio programs about HIV/AIDS
Developed by: Radio Farm Network Type of resource: Web article Target audience: General Cost: Free access
Program ideas to help rural communities cope with labour shortages and other impacts that result from HIV/AIDS.
Dhttp://www.farmradio.org/english/hivaids_3.html
Program ideas about HIV/AIDS
Developed by: Farm Radio Network Type of resource: Web article Target audience: General Cost: Free access
Ideas on how to produce programs that encourage discussion about the changes happening in the lives of rural audiences as a result of HIV/AIDS.
Dhttp://www.farmradio.org/english/hivaids_4.html
Writing radio scripts to improve food security
Developed by: Farm Radio Network Type of resource: Web article Target audience: General Cost: Free access
This paper is intended to share with the reader the steps in script writing that we at Developing Countries Farm Radio Network follow to ensure that our final product - which is the written radio script - is credible and useful to you, the radio broadcasters we are mandated to serve. By sharing the steps behind our work, it is also hoped that radio broadcasters may gain some insight to the steps that they themselves can take to produce a high-quality information product that will be of direct benefit to the people in rural areas who listen to their radio programs.
Dhttp://www.farmradio.org/english/writingscripts.ht ml
Financial Planning Programming for Rural Audiences
Developed by: Farm Radio Network Type of resource: Web article Target audience: General Cost: Free access
Making a budget is an important part of financial planning for farmers. Find out here how your radio programme can help farmers in developing their financial systems. A sample of scripts is also available.
Dhttp://www.farmradio.org/english/financial.html
Indigenous Knowledge Programming for Rural Audiences
Developed by: Radio Farm Network Type of resource: Web article Target audience: General Cost: Free access
Attracting listeners and developing a loyal audience is the work of radio broadcasters everywhere. A tested and true method is to provide interesting programs with relevant, local content. For farm radio broadcasters, programs that discuss and share indigenous knowledge work well....
Dhttp://www.farmradio.org/english/indigenous.html
Community Radio - Technical tips and tricks
Minidisc portal
Developed by: Minidisc Community Portal Type of resource: website Target audience: General Cost: Free access
Any question you might have about minidiscs - you'll find the answer here.
Technical help for producing radio programs
Developed by: Transom Tools Type of resource: Web site Target audience: General Cost: Free access
Transom Tools provides technical help for producing programs, from collecting sound in the field, through editing and mixing on Digital Workstations, up to preparing your program for uplink or upload. The columns and discussion boards can help experienced producers negotiate the conceptual shift from analog production and make best use of their tools, as well as folks just starting out with their first projects.
Dhttp://www.transom.org/tools/index.html
Microphones and sound for radio
Developed by: BBC Training & Development Type of resource: web site Target audience: General, Trainers Cost: Free access
Learn about microphones, sound levels and ways to get the best recordings.
Dhttp://www.bbctraining.co.uk/onlineCourse.asp?tID= 2508&cat=2772
Minidisc for Radio
Developed by: BBC Training & Development Type of resource: web site Target audience: General, Trainers Cost: Free access
A course for radio programme makers in using the minidisc recorder for interviews, vox pops etc, featuring an interactive 5-minute guide to using the Sony MZ-R55 mindisc model.
Dhttp://www.bbctraining.co.uk/onlineCourse.asp?tID= 5514&cat=2772
Community Radio - General
"Community Radio - The people's voice"
Developed by: ABC Ulwazi Type of resource: PDF files Target audience: General Cost: Free access
A "How to" guide for radio practitioners working in community media.
Dhttp://www.abculwazi.org.za/jsp/published_cr.jsp?p g=published_cr
How to do Community Radio: A Primer for Community Radio Operators
Developed by: Louie Tabing, for UNESCO Type of resource: Primer Target audience: General Cost: Free access
This UNESCO-supported primer builds on the experience of Tambuli, which in the past ten years has grown from one community radio to a network of 25 stations. Often located in remote rural areas, these stations are “operated in the community, for the community, about the community and by the community”. The handbook features basic community radio concepts, including equipment, finances and programming. It also brings in aspects of community radio ethics, councils, and codes of conduct. The document is online as a PDF file (327 Kb; 70 pages)
D http://portal.unesco.org/ci/fr/file_download.php/ 9f3aef45c6447010890b417095e3a27cCom_radio.pdf
Participative Marketing for Local Radio
Developed by: AudienceDialogue.org Type of resource: website Target audience: General Cost: Free access
Participative marketing is a new term for what is probably a very old concept: that marketing is not just something that big corporations do to consumers, but something that everybody does when engaged in any kind of purposeful activity. What's new about the idea of participative marketing is that it deliberately weaves a strong web of relationships to bring people together for a common purpose. If it works properly, there's no exploitation, but a filling of mutual needs. Read most of the chapters of Dennis List's new book, Participative Marketing for Local Radio on Audience Dialogue website.
Dhttp://www.audiencedialogue.org/pmlr.html
Using Community Radio for Non-Formal Education
Developed by: Commonwealth of Learning Type of resource: PDF Target audience: General Cost: Free access
Community radio can be a powerful medium for non-formal education. This short guide introduces the possibilities, looks at the strengths and weaknesses of the medium, and gives tips on getting started.
Dhttp://www.col.org/colweb/webdav/site/myjahiasite/ shared/docs/KS2001-02_radio.pdf
Writing for Radio
Developed by: Mike Meckler Type of resource: Web site Target audience: General Cost: Free access
This site is intended to help radio journalists improve their skills as writers and anchors. Topics covered range from writing copy to improving on-air delivery, and the site include a glossary and links to external resources. Although not directly aimed at community radio, http://www.newscript.com should be of value to practitioners in the area.