I have always been amazed by how powerful local communities can be when empowered with even the least possible access to creativity. Most of us who are privileged enough to spend several hours a day surfing the web, sending email and social-networking, cannot imagine how handicapped we would be without our dear computers, but our friends in the South have another perspective!
Many can argue endlessly, of the negative effects caused by the incredibly low technology penetration rates in developing nations. This very valid argument emphasizes the power for creativity and innovation afforded by digital technology, and considers the existence of this technology as a prerequisite for the successful leapfrogging of under-served communities into the realms of the knowledge society. What is missing from this picture is the oversight of the existence of another technology, probably much less advanced, that can also be utilized as a medium for informing, developing and transforming communities.
The proof for my thesis is a gentleman who is running an ambitious project in Tanzania to build an open, community-owned and driven radio station using the very least of available resources. It all started as the brainchild of Joseph Sekiku, the godfather of the project. He is the founder and director of the Family Alliance for Development and Cooperation (FADECO). When Joseph decided to establish the first ever community radio station in the area, resources were limited, but he was determined. So he started off by assembling a tiny broadcast unit with local components and soldering iron. The experiment succeeded and the station went live, broadcasting news and informational and learning content. Later on, more DIY equipment was added and the radio station was officially launched on Sunday 22 July 2007. Within 24 hours, the station received 500 phone calls to congratulate FADECO for the success, or to send greetings to loved ones!
UNESCO has already committed to donate radio equipment to support this successful project, but Joseph, the station and Tanzania need more. Much hope is placed on the new born project to inform the local community in Karagwe, and so content is key. Joseph is committed to broadcasting Creative Commons licensed content and to help the community to produce its own open content as well. The folks at FADECO understand very well what it means to be tight on resources, and understand equally how Creative Commons can provide when it comes to content and licensing.
The ability of FADECO’s station to convert digital content distributed over the Internet into airwaves that could be received by almost every household in the area constitutes a wonderful opportunity to reach the local community. What is still needed is content that has value for the community, and (certainly) released under a Creative Commons licenses to enable our friends in Tanzania to broadcast it again.
tags: karagwe tanzania media-events community radio broadcast africa developing-nations south
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