OUR values
The processes and goals of our contributions are grounded in
fostering commitment and empathy, leading to transcendence, to finally
reach for unity in diversity. Therefore we nurture the following values:
• Inclusiveness & participation >>> Unity
• Identity care & equity >>> Diversity
• A search for excellence & creativity >>> Transcendence
• Proactive non-violence & dialogue >>> Empathy
• Sustainability, transparency & accountability >>> Commitment
OUR Vision
We envision a world where all voices are equally heard and
considered; a world where all people have knowledge, capacities and
skills to share their views through media and shape what and how they
communicate. A World where all people have the space to fulfil their need
for expression, leading to an open exchange and reflection, stepping
stones for peace.
REPORT CONTENTS
Executive summary Page 02
CONTACT DETAILS
Xchange Perspectives e.V. DED PROGRAMME SOUTHERN SUDAN
Dominik Lehnert Beate Mueller-Grunewald
Deisenhofener Str. 4 Regional Coordinator
D-81539 Munich, Germany Hai Cinema, Juba
Phone: +49 (0)89 385 339 66 Phone: +249 (0)82 181 8
Mobile: +49 (0)177 893 153 5 Mobile: +249 (0)12 908 525 5
E-Mail: nik@xchange-perspectives.org E-Mail: beate.mueller-grunewald@ded.de
www.xchange-perspectives.org www.ded.de
© by Xchange Perspectives e.V. 04/2010 I Text: Leila Bendra, Dominik Lehnert, Malcolm Webb (R.P.T.) & Sebastian Prams (M.P.T.) I Layout & Photography: Dominik Lehnert
Page 1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The idea of the Rural Youth’s Voices Project Magwi first sprang towards outlaid great anticipation and desire to be part of the project. The criteria
the end of 2007, to then drafting and the submission of the proposal that determined the selection were level of English proficiency, a level that
for its implementation by Xchange Perspectives in November 2008. The had to enable the participants to both understand and be understood by
idea for establishing a FM radio in Magwi that would communicate the the trainers. The number of local spoken languages was as well qualified
concerns of the youth and the community in general by the very inhabitants as an asset to have, as it is of much help especially regarding the collection
of this area came as an answer to the needs of such communities like of information. Other key components to the choice of the participants
Magwi. These needs revolve around benefiting from media infrastructure were the willingness to work on a voluntary basis, the capacity to interact
aimed and governed by peace values and processes, and as well the and to work in cooperation within a team, and a communicated eagerness
need of the people to feel ownership of such infrastructure. As such, a to learn and acquire a relatively wide variety of concepts and skills. The
community-based FM radio station was the envisioned entry point to group of participants as well reflected a gender and ethnical equitable
answer the needs of the community in Magwi. The radio station was then selection choice.
to come as an important additional pillar to the existing Reintegration
and Development Centre (RDC) in Magwi, implemented by the German It is crucial to note that none of the participants had any prior knowledge
Development Service (DED). The RDC experienced a clear insufficiency about neither the content nor the skills this project exposed them to. In the
in disseminating valuable information that remained inaccessible for the duration of six (6) weeks, these youth were able to successfully operate
majority of the people. Through this project, the FM radio station now all different technical and technological equipment involved in radio
fills this gap. Particular appreciation and gratitude goes to DED for their journalism and music production. The achievements of the participants
commitment to the project, their high levels of cooperation, and especially encourage the vision of Xchange Perspectives upon which this project
to Ms. Beate Mueller Grunewald for her constant look out on the project’s was first conceived. Xchange Perspectives firmly believes in the ability
good progression. of the youth, through training, to have a voice that communicates the
concerns, solutions and visions of their own communities, and the Magwi
The implementation of the project started on the 18th of January community-based youth radio station lives as a practical reality of this
2010. The duration of the project was of six (6) weeks and went through vision. The initial exposure of the young journalists of Radio Magwi to
different phases, from choosing the participants, training them in concepts and values of peace makes of this radio station an important
Media for Peace, radio- and music production, providing the necessary channel for communicating peaceful values of positive social change.
technical skills operating the equipment, to finally putting up the FM
radio and officially starting the broadcasting of Radio Magwi FM 92.5
on the 1st of March 2010. The trainers received the application of over
thirty-five (35) potential participants, out of which eighteen (18) were
selected to participate in the project, three of those specializing in music
production. The selection showed to be difficult as all the candidates
Page 02
Another important achievement that came visible through the
progression of the training was how the conscious or/and subconscious
ethnical differences came to dissipate in the midst of increased levels
of cooperation. At the start of the training, the seating positions of the
participants were visibly governed by their respective ethnical affiliations.
Such a separation in space, reflecting deeper psycho-social divisions,
came to disappear, and the final days of the training were a living proof
of how exposure to ‘the other’, setting common goals, and engaging
in common and shared processes makes the ephemeral yet dangerous
ethnical animosities dissolve. The pronounced sense of shared ownership
and responsibility conjugated with cooperation were the essential binding
forces of the present team of Radio Magwi.
The future of Radio Magwi will be governed by many local, regional and
national dynamics. The level of expertise of the journalists is bound to
develop, with increased exposure and involvement in the field, provided
that future additional trainings are planned. The potential of Radio Magwi
to dispense peace messages is significant, as such the need to keep peace
as the first and most important guiding line is crucial. Falling in between
the existent lines of adversity, individual interests, and power struggle is
by no means a danger to be neglected or discarded as insignificant. Past
genocidal tragedies, where radio broadcasts added more fuel to the fire,
are freshly torturous and impose care, caution and responsibility on all
involved actors.
To get a holistic and clear picture of the significance and role Radio
Magwi FM 92.5 plays, this report will highlight different facets of the project
from the general situation in Magwi County prior to the inception of the
project, the various achievements and results, the resources invested,
the different challenges faced all through the project and to finally future
recommendations for the good continuation of Radio Magwi.
Page 03
CONTEXT MAGWI COUNTY
Magwi County has been subject to conflict and extreme forms of The area of coverage as such, is to fit the expectations of all the
violence that all of South Sudan had been suffering from, which caused people of Magwi County, this latter being a large area with a challenging
among many other disastrous consequences massive population geographical make up, notably hills, which naturally block radio
movements to neighbouring countries. As such, even with the number transmissions. This challenge calls for an area of coverage anticipated to
of returnees growing, the general infrastructure is poor and the local range between 50 to 75 km, in order to ensure that the radio broadcasts
media infrastructure was inexistent before the inception of this project. are accessible to a majority of people in Magwi County. Radio Magwi
Magwi, being quite an isolated peripheral area did not benefit from the FM 92.5 is thus most appropriately a channel for answering many of the
development that other central areas enjoyed over the past years due needs of Magwi County, with the dissemination of peace values, filling
to the presence of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) that only reduced the local media gap, and last but not least, the involvement of youth in
starting 2008. As for media, Magwi County mainly relied on news from the process of positive social change of their community.
non-local radio broadcasts such as Miraya FM, Mega FM, and BBC WS,
though the access to these stations, especially in regards to the audio
quality, was limited.
Page 04
max. anticipated range: 75 km
partially covered range: 125 km
Page 05
TRAINING CONTENT
The Media for Peace training was the first phase of the training, and
the only period where all the participants had the occasion to be together.
Later, they were divided in two groups. The first group specialized in
radio production while the second in music production. The Media for
Peace training used different methodologies amongst which were role-
plays, group works, handout based discussions and conversations, and
discussions generated based upon audiovisual material such as movies
and music videos.
The first day of the training revolved around the participants and
the trainer getting to know each other through introduction games. In
addition, this first day witnessed the ground setting of the participants’
The training for the Radio Magwi project has been carried out following expectations, and the diverse values upon which the training was to be
three main areas namely, Media for Peace, radio production and music conducted. Administrative and technical issues were addressed among
production. All the eighteen (18) participants of the training attended the which were the schedule of the training, food and sanitary facilities.
training on Media for Peace, to then attend either the radio journalism and The duration of the Media for Peace training was of one week, where
production training with fifteen (15) participants, or the music production the mornings were reserved to different theoretical knowledge, and
training with three (3) participants. the afternoons were allocated to facilitating basic first encounters with
different hard and software, i.e. computers, Zoom H2 handheld audio
A spirit of cooperation and excellence governed the dynamics of recorders, and Audacity, the audio editing software.
these trainings. The challenges faced were overcome through healthy
communication between the trainers and the participants. As for the The Media for Peace training started with a general introduction to the
training methodologies, participatory methods were preferred whereby understanding set for media, peace, conflict, and violence. A more detailed
inputs from all relevant participants were an inherent part of the presentation was given on the conflict-curve, focusing on how conflict
process. The anticipated benefits of a participatory centred approach, becomes violent and different ways to end and/or transform conflict. The
the empowerment that such process imparts to those trainees who next section of focus was the relationship between media and conflict, as
participated in the exercises, was fully achieved. Lectures, practical in how media can be used for conflict transformation and how ultimately
group works, assessments and participatory discussions were among this rounds up to the concept of Media for Peace. The Media for Peace
the applied methodologies. Assessment forms were developed during training includes social change and worldviews concepts as two other
the radio journalism training for each role to play namely, journalist, news core components. These two concepts were detailed through fostering
editor, newsreader, presenter, desk producer, and drama director. an understanding of the three worldviews with a special focus on the
Page 06
Unity-Based Worldview and an emphasis on the three levels of social The second part of the journalism training was on basic studio operation,
change, namely, knowledge, attitude and behavioural change. and was carried out through group practical teaching, handouts and
note taking. In this section, the participants got to know more about the
Last but not least, Media for Peace was introduced to a full extent, from basic structure and the function of the equipment, all that has to be taken
the normative, strategic and operational levels. Therefore, the values of into consideration when ON AIR to name only a few. The third part was
Media for Peace were set to be the guidelines to be followed through content wise focused on radio news, and as such started with a definition
all radio and music production work. The Media for Peace framework, of what news are, going through rules and ethics of reporting such as
developed by Dominik Lehnert through previous trainings, workshops, accuracy, fairness, trust and crime reporting, and finally the profiling of
and academic work, showed to be a valuable summarizing resource, listeners. This section of the training was carried out through a mixture of
which served through the whole training as a constant framework of note taking, group discussions, and written exercises.
reference for peaceful and professional radio- and music production.
The last section of the radio production training was concerned with the
Radio production training how of making news and news programmes. Therefore, the participants
got to know about how to collect news from local sources, and how to
The radio production training was divided in two parts comprising of source national and international news form the Internet. Additionally, the
taught lessons in the morning and practical activities, to gain experience participants got inside knowledge on the structure and the content of
of the various different skills taught thus far, with further teaching and news headlines and programmes, and on writing news scripts for radio.
assistance as required. For days eight, nine and ten of the training the The final stage of the training was in the form of a demonstration exercise
participants engaged in simulated ON AIR broadcasting, drawing up a that produced a news piece for broadcast on Radio Magwi, from the first
rota of rolls for each day including a schedule of presenters – two ON to the last stages of production.
AIR for two hours each – a news editor and news team to produce hourly
headlines and an evening news programme, plus drama writing and
recording. Training of the small number of participants capable of the role
of news editor was done largely on the job. Assessment criteria for each
role were given to the students ready for assessment the following week.
The content of the classes was divided in four main sections, the first
of which was an introduction to radio as a whole, where the participants
exposed their previous experience of radio. The introductory part was as
well in the form of discussions on what a radio is, what it can, should, and
should not be used for along with issues of neutrality and impartiality. The
last section was in the form of a conversational summary of what makes
good radio as a closing for the introduction.
Page 07
Music production
The aim of this training was to train the participants to become musicians
able to develop, produce and record songs of high quality addressing
problems existing in their communities. Within five (5) weeks, the training
was to enable the participants to record, mix, and produce high quality
songs. The three (3) selected participants were only experienced in writing
lyrics and arranging them suitably for recording on pre-composed songs.
Therefore, the first phase of the training focused on working with Macintosh
computers and using the soft- and hardware (audio interface, microphones,
etc.) required to record and produce songs. None of the participants was
experienced in playing instruments like keyboard or local adungos.
For the final production the students were introduced to mixing songs using
software plug-ins. The whole process of composing, recording and mixing
of a song using plug-ins and effects in a sensitive way so that the listener can
fully enjoy the creative work of the musicians, needs time and experience.
Considering the final products and the passion the students demonstrated
throughout the five (5) weeks, the training was very successful.
Page 08
Page 09
TECHNICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Page 12
PROJECT OUTPUTS
The objective of the Rural Youth Voices Project Magwi is to accelerate PROJECT OUTPUT 2: YOUTH FROM MAGWI ENABLED TO CAPABLY AND
the Magwi community’s peace and development process through the ACTIVELY PRODUCE RADIO AND MUSIC, INCLUDING PROGRAMMES
use of a youth FM radio station, as well as to build up and implement a AND ACTIVITIES CONCERNING PEACE, UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT:
flexible, local approach to community development. From a long term • Identified fifteen (15) individuals for the radio production training and
perspective this would contribute to the overall goal of the project, three (3) individuals for the music production training.
namely to support a peaceful transition process in Magwi, Eastern
Equatoria, Southern Sudan through equitable access to media platforms, • Developed curricula and training manuals for Media for Peace, Radio
contributing to the improved wellbeing of rural communities, to peace, Production and Music Production and used those during the training.
unity and development and the mainstreaming of gender concerns. • Trained all selected individuals in the relevant subjects theoretically
and practically within six (6) weeks.
Therefore the following key activities were carried out during the
• Equipped all individuals with the required skills, items and materials
highlighted project period:
needed to fulfil their tasks.
PROJECT OUTPUT 1: A LOCALLY-RUN, OWNED AND MANAGED • Produced ongoing radio broadcasts and songs, addressing relevant
COMMUNITY FM RADIO STATION IN MAGWI UNDER THE topics and issues for the youth and the community at large in Magwi
GUIDANCE OF DED: County.
• Identified a location for the radio station (RDC compound), a suitable • Carried out a broadcasting assessment finding the needs and preferences
interim broadcasting and music studio, as well as a location for the of the community in Magwi County in regards to FM radio broadcasting.
42 meter mast.
PROJECT OUTPUT 3: XCHANGE PERSPECTIVES ABLe TO
• Procured and delivered the required hard- and software to establish IMPLEMENT THE PROJECT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOCAL
and run the FM radio station and the music production studio in COMMUNITY AND DED:
Magwi.
• Secured financial and human resources to conduct the trainings and
• Installed all equipment on the RDC compound in Magwi, including all set up the radio station and the music production studio.
hard- and software, tested the entire installation for FM broadcasting
• Ensured timely travel and wellbeing of the XCP team to and in the field
as well as for music production and started the broadcasting.
and back.
• Determined a management structure for the FM radio station, an
• Secured good cooperation between the community, DED, XCP and
internal management structure for the team as well as the inter-
all other stakeholders involved in the project.
linkages between the internal management structure and the overall
overseeing steering committee. • Promoted the project internationally.
Page 13
PROJECT INPUTS
The project has been a great success and it went beyond the first i. All volunteers, board members and RDC staff read and sign an
predictions set at the time of the project proposal writing. It is true that agreement that states a) they must not broadcast anything that incites
levels of cooperation facilitated and eased the whole process, there were hatred or violence and b) they have a responsibility to prevent and
however some challenges that are important to mention, so as in the stop others from doing so and c) they have a responsibility to report it;
future, Radio Magwi FM 92.5 does not become subject to the negative ii. A system of permanent expulsion from the station of members and
consequences of these challenges. Therefore, these challenges are non-members after e.g. one major offence, or three minor offences;
outlined here, and recommendations are set forward, for the future good
functioning of Radio Magwi. iii. Individuals clearly designated with the duty of expelling offenders
from the studio / station, and turning off the radio transmitter if necessary
Future of Radio Magwi 92.5: Sustainability, Peace, and Violence – this probably has to be DED / RDC staff who are permanently on
site.
The first important challenge to address is concerned with issues of • To develop a clear policy on election broadcasting – there is very high
impartiality, peace and violence. Sudan is soon to hold elections, and likelihood of bribery, corruption, biased reporting and coverage etc. A
there are wide speculations about how peaceful, free and fair the electoral pay-for-airtime combined with equal-airtime-for-all-candidates might
process would be. Accordingly, this process and its outcomes might be the best way forward. Content of training on election coverage
come to trigger ethnic violence. The role of radio in such circumstances is would depend on this policy. While the rules and ethics of fair and
crucial, and a close watch on the future developments in Sudan is highly balanced reporting have been covered, specific rules should be laid
required, along with the possible interests that Radio Magwi FM 92.5 down for election coverage.
might get to serve. The fear in this case is to see Radio Magwi transform
from a peaceful Radio disseminating messages of peace, to become a • An accurate translation of the community based approaches through
political weapon in the hands of benefiting authorities. The independence the revision of the make up of the steering committee, which now
of Radio Magwi 92.5 might get to be threatened, and the consequences local authorities make 75% of its members.
of this scenario are both scary and dangerous. • Developing a clear line of the duties, obligations and roles of each
supervising or involved actor, as to avoid confusion of roles, and for
Recommendations concerning this particular point include: reasons of accountability and responsibility.
The level and scope of Radio Magwi FM 92.5 are a source of pride and
inspiration, and the radio is an example to follow. For this level of excellence
to be maintained and for its best improvements, the following sections
will provide for recommendations revolving around future seminars and
additional trainings that both the journalists and the musicians ought to
have access to.
Page 17
follow up training for the musicians is recommended, as the simple skills Technical Aspects
built up can still be further developed. A phase of testing and working with
the so far gained skills of approximately six (6) months is recommended One of the most challenging aspects faced during the implementation
in order to practice and ascertain the skills. After that several questions phase of the project was related to the mast, going through issues of timely
will occur and gaps will be discovered by the musicians and recorders delivery, to XCP having to take charge of the transportation and providing
themselves, which could be answered and bridged by an additional for qualified individuals for the setting up of the mast. Additionally, because
training. of the absence of an international logistical infrastructure, getting the
equipment to South Sudan was a great challenge i.e. customs, that XCP
A further approach of producing music videos for the best songs is handled professionally and with excellence. The communication with
also highly recommended and makes the messages disseminated to the different service providers e.g. CEE, Radio Works, and BW suffered from
audience even stronger. Many video halls and bars have a TV set or even a partial lack of motivation from the part of the service providers, and
a projector showing music videos mainly from Uganda, Kenya but also resulted in delivery delays and frustrations. Yet, all of these challenges
from other countries of the world. As videos produced in Sudan are so have been overcome, as they were balanced by the eagerness to translate
far rarely available, this would be a great success towards keeping South Radio Magwi 92.5 to reality, and a deep-rooted commitment to values of
Sudanese culture. peace, cooperation and unity.
As for the dissemination and coverage, most of the material broadcasted As mentioned earlier in this report, technical aspects have been a
through Radio Magwi 92.5 focuses on Magwi town. There is a clear need source of concern and challenge. The recommendations put forward
for training field journalists who would prepare their reports from the area earlier, can only achieve the expected results if the technical infrastructure
where they are based, so as the news do not stay as localized on Magwi is appropriate. Therefore, there is an urgent need to first install a proper
town. The field journalists would call in the radio, and transmit their reports solar back up system as up to now, the radio is running on generator
ON AIR. This recommendation streams from the need to foster values of power, which is neither reliable nor constant.
inclusiveness and ownership. These latter values are as well to be fostered
through a continuous monitoring and regular assessment of the audiences’ A second important point concerns a proper local for the studio, which
preferences and needs. This is the only sustainable and suitable process needs to be provided for. The radio, at the time of writing is operating from
through which the inclusiveness of audiences is guaranteed. a store, which is not soundproof and therefore limits the audio quality
of the broadcasting. As an interim solution this can be considered fair,
Simultaneously, the journalists could engage in XCHANGE programmes however on a long-term perspective, this has to be changed. As for the
with other radio stations, in order to XCHANGE skills, knowledge and views. music production, the musicians are recording in the former RDC staff
This however should be done in a spirit of cooperation and in a balanced office, and it is recommended to provide for a separate room that can be
fashion, so as not to fall into a hierarchical relationship of patronage. made soundproof by using simple mattresses along the walls.
Page 18
16
On a different note, the mast needs to be maintained and checking
the whole mast set up is recommended once in a three-months period,
preferably once a month. Fencing around the mast basement and around
the three guide ropes is essential, to prevent accidents.
Last but not least, the radio and music equipment is of a high quality,
but still needs to be taken care of and maintained. The journalists and
musicians have been introduced to basic safety and care rules. These
latter need to be observed continuously, for best performance, both in
radio and in music.
Page 19
17
RADIO MAGWI MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
F M 92 .5 Radi o Ma g wi
PRESENTERS:
- Achire Paul AD
JOURNALISTS:
- Amule James Ogeno
NEWS READERS: DESK PRODUCERS:
- Achire Paul AD - Ating Benson
NEWS EDITORS: - Amule James Ogeno - Achire Paul AD - Achire Paul AD - Ayang Vicky
- Ating Benson - Amule James Ogeno - Ayang Vicky - C. Moses Kute
- Achire Paul AD DRAMA DIRECTORS:
- Ayang Vicky - Ating Benson - Kerere Agnes Okumu - Ijjo Alfred
- Amule James Ogeno
- Kerere Agnes Okumu - Ayang Vicky - Okot Francis - Kerere Agnes Okumu - Taban Richard
- Okot Francis
- Okot Francis - C. Moses Kute - Okumu Alex Daniel - Okot Francis
- Okumu Alex Daniel
- Okumu Alex Daniel - Oringa Joseph Ojara - Oringa Joseph Ojara - Okumu Alex Daniel
- W. Jacob Kenneth
- Oringa Joseph Ojara - Taban Richard - Taban Richard - Opria Richard Kato
- Taban Richard - W. Jacob Kenneth - W. Jacob Kenneth - Oringa Joseph Ojara
- W. Jacob Kenneth - Scovia Bayoa
- Taban Richard
- W. Jacob Kenneth
Page 21
www.xchange-perspectives.org