South Sudanese displaced by war are getting news from an audio program delivered to their camp on the back of a quad bike. Others displaced have found connection through a scrappy community radio station. And a radio station in the capital Juba — Eye Radio — provides trusted news and focuses on a wide range of issues related to the development of South Sudan, 24 hours a day.
Boda Boda Talk Talk, a Mobile Radio Program
Internews in South Sudan has developed an innovative recorded audio program to provide life-saving and life-enhancing information to people displaced at four of the UNMISS Protection of Civilians sites across South Sudan following the conflict that broke out in the country in mid-December 2013.
The service utilizes a quad bike that moves around the site playing the programs in dedicated public spaces, at “Listening Stops,” through speakers that are bolted to the bike.
The program helps answer questions that displaced people have as they arrive and live at the sites.
“From where we will get the water? Second, from where will we get food? Thirdly, where are we going to sleep this night?” — this is what people are asking says Margrate Simon Gatluak, a community correspondent.
Another correspondent, Manyang Lual says the staff has an editorial meeting every day. “And that’s where we come up with ideas. Then the first question we use is why we want to do this topic and how we can help the community.”
“Then after that I go to the field to bring the community voice,” adds Margrate.
Mingkaman FM Radio Provides Lifesaving Information
Internews set up Mingkaman 100 FM in South Sudan in 2014 as part of its emergency response to the rapidly growing humanitarian crisis in the country, to begin urgently broadcasting news and information for the almost 100,000 people displaced by the fighting into the small community of Mingkaman.
“The community looked at it that radio was the easier way to get their interests solved,” says Chris Marol Maker, Network Managing Editor of The Radio Community. “If they come to the radio and they say, ‘we have this problem,’ it will make the authority and the humanitarian actors to act immediately, as soon as there’s a possible way to solve that problem.”
Eye Radio, a Trusted Source of News
Eye Radio is a station in Juba, South Sudan managed by Eye Media in partnership with Internews. South Sudanese listeners can tune in seven days a week, 24 hours a day and hear local, national and international news and sports, with in-depth focus on a wide range of issues related to the development of South Sudan, including the peace process.
Eye Radio presenter, Rosemary Wilfred says she works as a journalist because she wants to inform her community. “I became a journalist because I was inspired by a lot of women out there who do journalism and I also feel it’s some obligation on my side to take information to my community out there who otherwise don’t have a chance to know what’s going on in the country.”
“I feel Eye Radio is the most trusted source of news and carries the best programs,” says News Editor Mabior Philip. “Some people think if it is something that has been talked about but has not gone on air on Eye Radio, there are high chances are it may not be true.”
Mahrukh Hasan is Internews’ Knowledge, M&E, and Reporting Manager in South Sudan. Internews’ work in South Sudan is supported by USAID. The videos were produced by What Took You So Long?