The Media Assistance and Civic Education Programme - Haiti

The programme has three central components:

1. a 12-part radio series on civic education topics broadcast on community and commercial radio stations throughout the country. The radio production team consists of a radio series writer, a producer, a civic education specialist, and a specialist in communication for behaviour change. Though the team is still in the process of refining the topics and themes that will make up the series, a drama series is being developed with recurring characters who illustrate civic action.
2. support for community radio stations, including:
   • the provision of equipment packages and installation
   • training in journalism skills, management and fundraising, and technical skills
   • the construction of a distribution network so that tapes of programmes can be reliably transported via car or truck to stations in rural areas
3. efforts to strengthen and protect journalism organisations.

Development Issues
Civic Education, Rights.

Research shows that, although 67% of the Haitian population understands their rights and provisions under the 1987 constitution, they are less clear both on their responsibilities and on means of taking action to further democracy in their communities.

While firmly committed to playing a central role in educating and informing Haitians about these issues, community radio in Haiti is poor and struggling. Many stations use handmade transmitters and mixers, have very poor quality production equipment (if any), and lack firm office infrastructure.

Though well-developed, the two central journalism organisations in Haiti lack funds and are hostile toward each other. Self-censorship is practised.

Programme organisers plan to develop indicators to measure the impact of the radio series, and to design a website.