Radio has long been acknowledged as one
of the most powerful, practical and cost-effective communications
tool. Particularly for women who are expected to take on
several different responsibilities at any one time, radio
can be a great way to actively listen and acquire information
while doing other things.
However, according to the 2005
Global Media Monitoring Report, women are most underrepresented
in the news in radio compared to other kinds of media.
Take back the radio! Use it as an information
tool that does more than import you the latest tunes from
developed countries with a big marketing budget. Play with
the media
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Think
of some topics around violence against women that doesn't
get much airtime, or something that you would like to
know more about, or contribute to. For example, the impact
of new information and communications technology (ICTs)
on pornography and how this affects women, or how things
like the internet has changed intimate relationships and
where violence can feature in that, etc.
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Call up
your local radio station and suggest a topic that
they can discuss, or as a call-in listeners opinion poll.
Let them know that 25 November - 10 December is period
where people around the world are campaigning against
gender-based violence.
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Community
radio is also an effective way to take radio into
your own hands, and generate content that is relevant
to your community - whether it is in a remote area, or
at the heart of a city. Find out if there is a community
or alternative radio initiative in your area, and ask
them if they are interested to take up an issue around
this theme. Or if you can do a programme on your own,
interview some people on their opinions. Make this a 16-day
project with your friends.
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Podcasting
is an emerging tool that enables internet users to have
their own 'radio' channel and create own content over
the worldwideweb. All you need is connectivity and a mike,
where you can record your programme and upload them --
usually as MP3 files -- onto a server. Then other internet
users are able to 'tune in' or log on and listen to what
you have to say. You can find out more about podcasts
and how you can use it in a Techsoup article by Michael
Gowan, "Podcasting:
A New Voice on the Net". - Happy buzzing!
Issue
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