Local Broadcaster Support

Purpose: The ETC provides technology solutions and infrastructure support to local broadcasters affected by disasters. With limited access to newspapers and the internet, local communities often rely on FM radios to stay up to date with ongoing events. Access to FM radio can be shared easily and relatively cheaply among many people and serves both literate and illiterate populations. When local community FM radio stations are damaged by disasters, local communities often lose their primary means of access to information. The restored FM radio stations help disseminate key messages and information to protect communities, especially the most vulnerable groups.

As an essential link to the affected population, the support provided to local broadcasters can be leveraged to improve one-way communication from Humanitarian organisation and National and local authorities.

Customer segment: Affected Populations, Humanitarian Organisations, National and local authorities.

Description: The ETC rebuilds or rehabilitates community radio stations that serve as a critical source of information for communities. Rehabilitation may include rebuilding damaged towers, replacing antennas, broadcast equipment and power systems.

FM broadcast transmitter and studio equipment: The ETC sources transmitters and studio equipment that is appropriate for the broadcaster, ensuring that the equipment can be serviced or replaced locally, with a preference for equipment that the broadcaster is already familiar with.

Renewable power system: Where appropriate the ETC supports stations with solar power systems, where access to power prevents the local broadcaster from operating.

Towers and antennas: Towers and antennas are an essential part of a local broadcaster setup and can be rehabilitated or replaced by the ETC, with a preference for locally made and supported infrastructure.

Project: On 14 March 2019, Cyclone Idai made landfall in southern Mozambique, causing catastrophic damage to infrastructure, destroying livelihoods and leaving an estimated 1.85 million people in need of aid. The Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) partnered with the National Forum of Community Radios in Mozambique (FORCOM) – a governing body of 51 stations – to assess and rehabilitate six community radio stations severely damaged in Sofala province. With limited access to media and low literacy rates, radio plays a central role in keeping local communities informed in Mozambique. Thanks to the ETC and its partners, rehabilitated radio stations in Beira, Dondo, Buzi, Gorongosa and Nhamatanda now disseminate key information to more than 1.9 million listeners, helping to reach the most vulnerable including women and children.

Dates: 14 May 2019 – November 2019