Media for Development

Tailor-made training for Farm Radio Network in Nigeria

Radio plays an important role in information and education. Especially in the countryside radio is a crucial medium to get messages across. But radio works best when it is a two-way communication process: when listeners can have their voices heard and programme makers get feedback on what kind of programmes work.

At the request of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation FAO RNTC designed and organised a training for radio stations and producers working for the Farm Radio Network in Nigeria in Nasarawa and Abia States.

Involving listeners
The course focused on participatory approaches to radio production - or getting listeners involved - and included sessions on participatory formats and content.
The course consisted of many practical sessions and was devoted to developing radio script writing and interviewing skills in the context of participatory communication.

Practical skills
The participants developed, wrote, produced and edited a simple popular social drama for radio. In parallel sessions they also worked on digital recording and editing skills using the FRN editing software. These skills were used by the producers to record and edit their short drama assignments.
Final evaluation of the assignments was done during the on-site follow-up. Two radio dramas were produced for broadcast.