Re: Community radio station goes to air

On Oct 27, 8:27 am, Vientiane <Vientiane...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
The country's second station run by, and for, the community was
officially launched on Monday, bringing news and information to people
in remote rural areas.

The station was opened by the governor of Xieng Khuang province, Mr
Viengthanom Phommachan, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of
Information and Culture's Mass Media Department Mr Dy Sysombath and
United Nations Development Programme's Assistant Resident
Representative, Jamshed Kazi.

The station is based in rural Khoun district, Xieng Khuang province,
one of the country's 4 7 poorest districts.

Much of the mountainous area has limited access to information due to
poor road access, illiteracy, ethnic language barriers and poor radio
and TV reception. At the opening, Mr Kazi said Khoun Radio for
Development would change this.

"Community radio allows people in remote rural areas to hear local
news, practical information custom-made to their needs by them," he
said.

"By giving people a voice and encouraging community participation, it
also promotes the exchange of ideas, and community involvement in
policy and decision making. It's an exciting development for the
community and the country in general."

The station is staffed by volunteers from every section of the local
community - farmers, civil servants, ethnic groups, school students,
Women's and Youth Unions and disabled people.

It is headed by a station manager appointed by the district governor
and has an inclusive advisory board to provide guidance and longer-
term vision to the station.

Khoun Community Radio broadcasts in the district's three local
languages, Hmong, Khmu and Lao Loum, to ensure the information is
understood by all and linguistic traditions are maintained.

Communities from all ethnic groups throughout the region turned up in
droves to celebrate the launch of their station together with local
and national government officials and international dignitaries and
guests.

The crowds were treated to displays of local traditional singing,
dancing and food, and then watched as the special representatives of
provincial government and UNDP cut the ribbon and switched on the on-
air button, officially launching the first broadcast on the airwaves.

Bounmee, disabled after a UXO accident and one of the station's first
volunteers, is ecstatic that the station is open. "When I joined the
project the station didn't exist. But we all wanted to be involved
because it offers us the chance to learn new skills, reach others in
our community and have fun," she said.

"I've learned to do audio editing, use the recording equipment and be
an announcer. I now train new volunteers who join the station and I'm
a role model to others in the community. It's a great feeling."

Khoun Community Radio has been established with support from the
Ministry of Information and Culture, UNDP and UNESCO.

Development organisations, relevant government bodies and other
interested groups will have the chance to develop programmes in
cooperation with the community to broadcast information tailored to
communities' needs on a variety of topics, such as farming, awareness
of unexploded ordnance and healthcare.

This is the first development radio station of its type in Laos and a
clear example of the success that can result when government,
development organisations and communities all work together towards a
common goal.

There is no common goal, fucking commi retart

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