Developing democracy through radio stations

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)