Radio Capacity Building in Zanzibar: A Case Study

This 17-page case study shares the experience of Search for Common Ground's work in Zanzibar, working with Zanzibar media to promote good governance and social cohesion on a large scale, encourage frank discussion of differences, and foster a spirit of tolerance.

The Search for Common Ground (SFCG) methodology in Zanzibar focused on shifting mindsets and skill sets from a competitive, partisan approach to a collaborative, constructive engagement. Strengthening the capacity of journalists to report and contribute to the public debate SFCG has used a training methodology called Common Ground Journalism. SFCG identified five radio stations to engage with, based upon the size and scope of their potential impact, and the subsequent training targeted 18 journalists from these radio stations.

Although the case study sample was small and limited to 4 out of 7 radio stations in Zanzibar, this report found that all journalists who participated in the training felt confident enough to incorporate parts of the common ground approach into their daily work and daily radio productions. One of the most important changes recorded and mentioned by all interviewees were the changes in content of the radio productions since the start of the capacity building trainings in 2010. Since the last training in March – April 2012 by SFCG, each interviewed radio station managed to independently initiate new radio shows in addition to the radio productions agreed to produce as part of SFCG partnership. For example, Hits FM started a new programme called "Jimbo baada ya Jimbo" (Constituency after Constituency) on social and political challenges which involved a number of talk shows with both citizens and members of the National Unity Government. Zanzibar Broadcasting Cooperation (ZBC) Pemba, a sublet of the official ZBC in Unguja, introduced a new programmme called "Utu ya mtu" (Dignity) which is aired every Wednesday talking about people's dignity and challenges.

The assessment found that Zanzibar radio stations experience several common challenges that could undermine their potential role as agents of change. One prevalent key challenge identified related to the concept of "sources of information." A journalist from ZBC radio in Pemba described this as a culture of secrecy prevalent on the Island. Almost all journalists agreed that it is hard to get information from the government unless you know someone or you have a family member working there.

Another challenge noted is that radio stations see their role in educating the public, in raising awareness and in providing them with news and information. None of the radios, however, mentioned during the case study interviews that the radio should also serve as a watchdog for public interest, to hold the powerful state and non-state interests accountable. It seems that at this stage, the media in Zanzibar is very pre-occupied with the formation of an informed citizenry that can later on demand good governance from its institutions.
All four radio stations interviewed noted they require further support and feedback on their productions and on their journalistic approaches, and that there is a need for more training on developing tools for good radio programmes. In general, there was an eagerness from all sides to improve the work, to get to know other radio journalists, and to exchange ideas. All radio journalists mentioned the need for further training in the future, particularly on good governance and how to address a lack of sources.

The case study offers the following recommendations for programming:

• Future training on the role of radios in supporting the government: support GNU to become more effective and responsive by providing them with a clear picture of citizen needs and desires.
• Training on monitoring quality of radio programmes: This would be for both journalists and radio programme managers in particular, to be aware of how to monitor and evaluate their own productions, establishing critical-reflections within the stations.
• Encourage radio managers to take own initiatives: Radio Managers rely entirely on training being offered and NGOs approaching them – although they know that their staff needs further technical training or improved equipment, there is no initiative taken by them to secure funds or advertise in order to gain more money for the station.
• Train government officials on how to respond to journalists: This would ensure that the government understands the proper way to handle journalists; and to provide the journalists with easier access to sources.
• Support media industry groups to encourage professionalisation and freedom of speech: it is important for radio managers to network, exchange ideas, explore business opportunities, and, if necessary, form a common front to defend freedom of expression.
• Work with citizen journalism groups to encourage high standards: to encourage diversity of opinions and vibrancy in the radio stations and to encourage citizens to participate and understand media production – to avoid shyness of people speaking up about the issues affecting their lives.
• Idea to set up national-level prizes for radio productions: a prize (linked to training courses) could motivate journalists of the radio stations to produce examples of good reporting.
• Idea for an inter/exchange between stations: on a regional, national, or international level to be exposed to further training and get motivated to implement best practices seen during the exchange into their own stations upon return.
• Encourage radios to collect feedback on what the citizen are learning from radio programme.