Developing Radio Partners
What We Do
"DRP works with local radio stations to bring reliable information to those who need it most."
Mission And Vision
Developing Radio Partners envisions enduring media services that enrich individuals' lives, giving them voice to be active, involved citizens and ultimately transform their communities. We focus particularly where the need for information is greatest, and where radio can have the greatest impact, often in rural areas, in countries with legacies of poverty and political repression. We believe that building a healthy media sector increases the economic and civic well-being of people and contributes to creating a healthy nation.
What We Do
DRP strengthens the quality of radio programming & stations. We work with local radio stations that have independent voices & explicit development objectives.
DRP provides complete radio consulting services, with a focus on program excellence that leads to more vibrant, participatory communities. We work alongside station staff from project inception to completion.
Developing Radio Partners Methodology
1. Engage with community partners2. Survey technical capacity of radio stations
3. Assess programming content & needs
4. Create Program Toolkits that provide each station the tools they need to create their stories.
- Program Toolkits include:
- Scientific facts on issue
- List of experts & officials to interview
- Audience interaction tools, such as FrontlineSMS text messaging
5. Ongoing monitoring, evaluation, & Program Toolkit creation
Our Work
DRP fills a special niche at the intersection of international development, communications strategy and journalism. We employ a collaborative, grassroots approach in order to let local communities determine and put in place effective radio programming.
1. We work in partnership partnership with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local radio stations to develop a comprehensive plan to strengthen independent radio. This begins with an assessment of the enabling environment, including an evaluation of government policies, an analysis of existing stations, and a stocktaking of stakeholders and station managers. We also meet with citizens about their needs and media use in order to form a closer link between the people and the programming.
2. We create specific training plans tailored to the needs of the local community. We identify experienced consultants, both from the U.S. and abroad, who we can draw upon to implement these training programs.
3. We are engaged in research and on-site case studies on the sustainability of radio stations in southern Africa.
4. We work as co-creators with local stations, joining their expertise of their communities with our experiences working in the broader world, in a spirit of mutual respect. With local actors, we help create community-driven agencies that can aggregate resources and set professional standards for radio stations to ensure long-term sustainability for local stations.
5. We are advocates for the radio medium in development, to expand the vision of its possibilities for NGOs, multilateral institutions, and governments. We are a resource for those looking for examples of effective uses radio and techniques for community engagement. Our work is informed by broad field experience and focused research. We are both teachers and learners, continually seeking innovative and effective solutions to share with others.
DRP partners with international development organizations to share and implement best practices from this growing field. We are committed to seeking out and using the best methodologies for implementation in our practice.
Why Radio?
Community radio is booming across the developing world. In just 6 years, the number of community radio stations in Africa grew by 1,400%. Radio is often the only source of local, timely information for well over a billion people in the developing world. Radio is accessible, irrespective of age, gender, income or literacy. It is a proven, cost-effective tool for behavior change.
Radio not only brings information to people, it excels in discussion with; airing and solving problems, giving voice to women and youth, holding public officials accountable; changing behavior through radio plays. Now with SMS, stations can greatly increase their interactivity with listeners.
Accurate information is nearly as important as clean water to the health of a community. Radio is the most accessible, participatory and effective medium to reach people in the developing world, giving voice to people to air and solve their own problems.
Around the world, community radio plays a vital role in overcoming political apathy by providing people with access to information about their local and national leaders. Empowered with this information, citizens can start to fight endemic corruption, developing methods to hold government officials accountable for their actions. In this way, radio not only informs people about government failure, but it also provides the vehicle though which to work for positive political change.
Rare Conservation created “Coconut Bay”, a popular soap opera with social messages that was broadcast in Antigua, St. Vincent, Dominica and Grenada. On average, 46% of listeners reported a change in their attitudes on key issues, such as teen pregnancy, contraception, HIV/AIDS, spousal abuse, and the environment.
Because radio is a personal medium that speaks a local language, it also presents information about health problems and other community issues. For example, radio has proven an effective tool for teaching local populations about HIV/AIDS and combating the powerful social stigmas associated with this disease. Effective community radio programming helps to stimulate community discussion about attitudes and belief.
→ Download DRP publication: Why Radio Matter by Dr. Mary Myers