Developing democracy through radio stations

JAKARTA (JP): Radio broadcast technology may have evolved significantly since Italian Guglielmo Marconi invented the radio, but the main philosophy of radio as a communications tool remains the same: conveying information.

It is believed that radio function as a tool for propaganda and education. Compared to print media or television, radio is a more effective means of communication due to its practicality.

Particularly in Indonesia, where many people still live in rural areas, radio has a high rate of penetration. In addition, a low literacy rate is not an obstacle for radio in conveying information.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), therefore, is conducting a program to promote democracy and good governance through the development of radio in Indonesia.

The communications officer for UNESCO in Jakarta, Maria Zaragoza, said the first component of the program was a project assisting up to 25 local radio stations in a number of provinces outside the greater Jakarta area.

She said locations like Aceh, West Kalimantan, Maluku, South Sulawesi, Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java were a priority because they were "outside the areas where information was very easy to get".

"The project is designed in the framework of UNESCO's program to build the capacity of media and strengthen the human and technical capacity of local radio stations in Indonesia to enable them to effectively contribute to the process of national development, good governance and democracy," she said, adding that Denmark had extended US$ 245,000 to fund the project.

She said that a UNESCO mission found that in this era of political change in Indonesia, the government's relaxation of obtrusive decrees which had hindered the freedom of the press had generated a new dynamism in Indonesian media.

Quoting official data, she said there were 769 radio stations across Indonesia.

"We have selected many stations. The criteria for selection includes being nonpartisan, having a wide representation and penetration in different provinces and the editorial capability and commitment to catalyze democracy and good governance in Indonesia," she said.

Torren Brandt, a consultant for the project, said the project included training workshops, connections to the Internet, seminars and various training programs.

The first workshop began last week, and an evaluation on the success of the project will take place by the end of this year.

Brandt said the project also aimed to reach its goal by providing equipment and technical assistance to enable broadcast quality programs which facilitated informed discussions on local and national issues in order to enhance democratic participation in the upcoming elections.

He said radio persisted as an effective media in giving people a basic education in democracy.

"The project aims to inform, educate and involve the people in democracy. Radio does not offer any theories but can easily show how democracy works," he said.

He said radio programs meant to educate people about democracy should include news programs as well as talk shows or phone interviews.

"Letters also are important for locations with poor phone service," he said.

He said that by asking people for their viewpoints and thoughts on the issues, radio could channel a variety of opinions, which would lead to democracy. (icn)