Radio broadcasting in developing communities

By Ron Ehrke

BROADCAST stations and net works throughout the world are continuing to undergo massive

changes, mainly resulting from continuing

rapid changes in technologies now avail able to broadcasters. This continues to open up the world to the sharing of information

in ways that were not possible a decade or two ago. Technological developments pro vide the means to establish small low-cost radio stations so that information can be shared among people living in remote, and often poorer, communities. This should be of particular interest to Pacific Island coun tries. While it is important to build hospi tals and schools, high priority must also be

given to developing existing broadcasting

networks, or building new stations. These can be used to talk about basic develop ment issues such as clean water, nutrition, prenatal care and so on. This can be extended, for example, into agriculture, talking about development in basic tech niques of food production, land manage ment, the environment and so on.

Thus broadcasting provides support for social and economic development the practical application of fundamental resources. Broadcasters in developing countries need modem and up-to-date technology but there is a need to provide what is appropriate to the needs and skills of the local staff. This often requires low cost and simple technologies rather than sophisticated technologies.

The latter can bring with them a high price to buy and to maintain and a need for staff to have a high level of skill with new technologies to service the equip ment. Broadcasting developments can make a very significant and practical con tribution to the development of people living in remote communities. Often the poorer people, who do not have the many benefits available to people living in and around major cities, benefit substantially through being able to listen to education al programmes through local radio sta tions. There are benefits from establishing low-cost radio stations in remote commu nities. People in the communities are pro vided with programming that is informa tive, educational and entertaining. * Ron Ehrke is a broadcast consultant with more than 32 years experience in the field. ■