YOUTH VOICES PROJECT

RADIO MAGWI FM 92.5

PROJECT REPORT
APRIL 2010
OUR WORLDVIEW
The philosophy of Xchange Perspectives grounds itself in the law of
eternal interconnectedness of our diverse human identities. We trust that
knowledge is universal, and thus is meant to be exchanged amongst us all.
Through this sharing and communication of trust, Xchange Perspectives
foresees a future of unity in diversity, a vital expression of peace.
Our contribution through media is the way we choose to partner
with all actors committed to development and peace processes, in our
collective aspirations towards equitable, just, sustainable and all-inclusive
social change.

OUR values
The processes and goals of our contributions are grounded in
fostering commitment and empathy, leading to transcendence, to finally
reach for unity in diversity. Therefore we nurture the following values:
• Inclusiveness & participation >>> Unity
• Identity care & equity >>> Diversity
• A search for excellence & creativity >>> Transcendence
• Proactive non-violence & dialogue >>> Empathy
• Sustainability, transparency & accountability >>> Commitment

OUR Vision
We envision a world where all voices are equally heard and
considered; a world where all people have knowledge, capacities and
skills to share their views through media and shape what and how they
communicate. A World where all people have the space to fulfil their need
for expression, leading to an open exchange and reflection, stepping
stones for peace.
REPORT CONTENTS
Executive summary  Page 02

Context Magwi county  Page 04

training content Page 06

technical infrastructure  Page 12

project outputs Page 13

project inputs  Page 14

challenges & recommendations Page 16

THE RADIO MAGWI MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE Page 20

SERVICE PROVIDERS Page 21

CONTACT DETAILS
Xchange Perspectives e.V. DED PROGRAMME SOUTHERN SUDAN
Dominik Lehnert Beate Mueller-Grunewald
Deisenhofener Str. 4 Regional Coordinator
D-81539 Munich, Germany Hai Cinema, Juba
Phone: +49 (0)89 385 339 66 Phone: +249 (0)82 181 8
Mobile: +49 (0)177 893 153 5 Mobile: +249 (0)12 908 525 5
E-Mail: nik@xchange-perspectives.org E-Mail: beate.mueller-grunewald@ded.de

www.xchange-perspectives.org www.ded.de

© by Xchange Perspectives e.V. 04/2010 I Text: Leila Bendra, Dominik Lehnert, Malcolm Webb (R.P.T.) & Sebastian Prams (M.P.T.) I Layout & Photography: Dominik Lehnert

Page 1

The idea of the Rural Youth’s Voices Project Magwi first sprang towards
the end of 2007, to then drafting and the submission of the proposal
for its implementation by Xchange Perspectives in November 2008. The
idea for establishing a FM radio in Magwi that would communicate the
concerns of the youth and the community in general by the very inhabitants
of this area came as an answer to the needs of such communities like
Magwi. These needs revolve around benefiting from media infrastructure
aimed and governed by peace values and processes, and as well the
need of the people to feel ownership of such infrastructure. As such, a
community-based FM radio station was the envisioned entry point to
answer the needs of the community in Magwi. The radio station was then
to come as an important additional pillar to the existing Reintegration
and Development Centre (RDC) in Magwi, implemented by the German
Development Service (DED). The RDC experienced a clear insufficiency
in disseminating valuable information that remained inaccessible for the
majority of the people. Through this project, the FM radio station now
fills this gap. Particular appreciation and gratitude goes to DED for their
commitment to the project, their high levels of cooperation, and especially
to Ms. Beate Mueller Grunewald for her constant look out on the project’s
good progression.
The implementation of the project started on the 18th of January
2010. The duration of the project was of six (6) weeks and went through
different phases, from choosing the participants, training them in
Media for Peace, radio- and music production, providing the necessary
technical skills operating the equipment, to finally putting up the FM
radio and officially starting the broadcasting of Radio Magwi FM 92.5
on the 1st of March 2010. The trainers received the application of over
thirty-five (35) potential participants, out of which eighteen (18) were
selected to participate in the project, three of those specializing in music
production. The selection showed to be difficult as all the candidates
Page 02
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
outlaid great anticipation and desire to be part of the project. The criteria
that determined the selection were level of English proficiency, a level that
had to enable the participants to both understand and be understood by
the trainers. The number of local spoken languages was as well qualified
as an asset to have, as it is of much help especially regarding the collection
of information. Other key components to the choice of the participants
were the willingness to work on a voluntary basis, the capacity to interact
and to work in cooperation within a team, and a communicated eagerness
to learn and acquire a relatively wide variety of concepts and skills. The
group of participants as well reflected a gender and ethnical equitable
selection choice.
It is crucial to note that none of the participants had any prior knowledge
about neither the content nor the skills this project exposed them to. In the
duration of six (6) weeks, these youth were able to successfully operate
all different technical and technological equipment involved in radio
journalism and music production. The achievements of the participants
encourage the vision of Xchange Perspectives upon which this project
was first conceived. Xchange Perspectives firmly believes in the ability
of the youth, through training, to have a voice that communicates the
concerns, solutions and visions of their own communities, and the Magwi
community-based youth radio station lives as a practical reality of this
vision. The initial exposure of the young journalists of Radio Magwi to
concepts and values of peace makes of this radio station an important
channel for communicating peaceful values of positive social change.
 Another important achievement that came visible through the
progression of the training was how the conscious or/and subconscious
ethnical differences came to dissipate in the midst of increased levels
of cooperation. At the start of the training, the seating positions of the
participants were visibly governed by their respective ethnical affiliations.
Such a separation in space, reflecting deeper psycho-social divisions,
came to disappear, and the final days of the training were a living proof
of how exposure to ‘the other’, setting common goals, and engaging
in common and shared processes makes the ephemeral yet dangerous
ethnical animosities dissolve. The pronounced sense of shared ownership
and responsibility conjugated with cooperation were the essential binding
forces of the present team of Radio Magwi.

The future of Radio Magwi will be governed by many local, regional and
national dynamics. The level of expertise of the journalists is bound to
develop, with increased exposure and involvement in the field, provided
that future additional trainings are planned. The potential of Radio Magwi
to dispense peace messages is significant, as such the need to keep peace
as the first and most important guiding line is crucial. Falling in between
the existent lines of adversity, individual interests, and power struggle is
by no means a danger to be neglected or discarded as insignificant. Past
genocidal tragedies, where radio broadcasts added more fuel to the fire,
are freshly torturous and impose care, caution and responsibility on all
involved actors.

To get a holistic and clear picture of the significance and role Radio
Magwi FM 92.5 plays, this report will highlight different facets of the project
from the general situation in Magwi County prior to the inception of the
project, the various achievements and results, the resources invested,
the different challenges faced all through the project and to finally future
recommendations for the good continuation of Radio Magwi.

Page 03

Magwi County has been subject to conflict and extreme forms of
violence that all of South Sudan had been suffering from, which caused
among many other disastrous consequences massive population
movements to neighbouring countries. As such, even with the number
of returnees growing, the general infrastructure is poor and the local
media infrastructure was inexistent before the inception of this project.
Magwi, being quite an isolated peripheral area did not benefit from the
development that other central areas enjoyed over the past years due
to the presence of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) that only reduced
starting 2008. As for media, Magwi County mainly relied on news from
non-local radio broadcasts such as Miraya FM, Mega FM, and BBC WS,
though the access to these stations, especially in regards to the audio
quality, was limited.
CONTEXT MAGWI COUNTY
The area of coverage as such, is to fit the expectations of all the
people of Magwi County, this latter being a large area with a challenging
geographical make up, notably hills, which naturally block radio
transmissions. This challenge calls for an area of coverage anticipated to
range between 50 to 75 km, in order to ensure that the radio broadcasts
are accessible to a majority of people in Magwi County. Radio Magwi
FM 92.5 is thus most appropriately a channel for answering many of the
needs of Magwi County, with the dissemination of peace values, filling
the local media gap, and last but not least, the involvement of youth in
the process of positive social change of their community.

The broadcasting assessment of 2010, carried out by XCHANGE

PERSPECTIVES in Magwi County, has brought to the surface many
interesting realities that made the Magwi Radio project not only appreciated
but very much needed. The sample taken for the assessment was
varied and representative concerning levels of education, professional
occupation, religious affiliation, ethnic origin, gender and age. The
assessment tackled issues of access and preference of different sources of
news information. As such, there was a clear communicated appreciation
for a local radio station, as the sample largely felt a lack of access to local
news. The adjustments brought by Radio Magwi to the community do not
stop at providing local news, but also to a larger extent with the provision
of skills for the youth, and the spread of peaceful messages focusing on
the preferences and interests of the listeners.

Page 04
 max. anticipated range: 75 km
partially covered range: 125 km

Page 05

The training for the Radio Magwi project has been carried out following
three main areas namely, Media for Peace, radio production and music
production. All the eighteen (18) participants of the training attended the
training on Media for Peace, to then attend either the radio journalism and
production training with fifteen (15) participants, or the music production
training with three (3) participants.
A spirit of cooperation and excellence governed the dynamics of
these trainings. The challenges faced were overcome through healthy
communication between the trainers and the participants. As for the
training methodologies, participatory methods were preferred whereby
inputs from all relevant participants were an inherent part of the
process. The anticipated benefits of a participatory centred approach,
the empowerment that such process imparts to those trainees who
participated in the exercises, was fully achieved. Lectures, practical
group works, assessments and participatory discussions were among
the applied methodologies. Assessment forms were developed during
the radio journalism training for each role to play namely, journalist, news
editor, newsreader, presenter, desk producer, and drama director.
Page 06
TRAINING CONTENT
Media for Peace training
The Media for Peace training was the first phase of the training, and
the only period where all the participants had the occasion to be together.
Later, they were divided in two groups. The first group specialized in
radio production while the second in music production. The Media for
Peace training used different methodologies amongst which were role-
plays, group works, handout based discussions and conversations, and
discussions generated based upon audiovisual material such as movies
and music videos.
The first day of the training revolved around the participants and
the trainer getting to know each other through introduction games. In
addition, this first day witnessed the ground setting of the participants’
expectations, and the diverse values upon which the training was to be
conducted. Administrative and technical issues were addressed among
which were the schedule of the training, food and sanitary facilities.
The duration of the Media for Peace training was of one week, where
the mornings were reserved to different theoretical knowledge, and
the afternoons were allocated to facilitating basic first encounters with
different hard and software, i.e. computers, Zoom H2 handheld audio
recorders, and Audacity, the audio editing software.
The Media for Peace training started with a general introduction to the
understanding set for media, peace, conflict, and violence. A more detailed
presentation was given on the conflict-curve, focusing on how conflict
becomes violent and different ways to end and/or transform conflict. The
next section of focus was the relationship between media and conflict, as
in how media can be used for conflict transformation and how ultimately
this rounds up to the concept of Media for Peace. The Media for Peace
training includes social change and worldviews concepts as two other
core components. These two concepts were detailed through fostering
an understanding of the three worldviews with a special focus on the
Unity-Based Worldview and an emphasis on the three levels of social The second part of the journalism training was on basic studio operation,
change, namely, knowledge, attitude and behavioural change. and was carried out through group practical teaching, handouts and
note taking. In this section, the participants got to know more about the
Last but not least, Media for Peace was introduced to a full extent, from basic structure and the function of the equipment, all that has to be taken
the normative, strategic and operational levels. Therefore, the values of into consideration when ON AIR to name only a few. The third part was
Media for Peace were set to be the guidelines to be followed through content wise focused on radio news, and as such started with a definition
all radio and music production work. The Media for Peace framework, of what news are, going through rules and ethics of reporting such as
developed by Dominik Lehnert through previous trainings, workshops, accuracy, fairness, trust and crime reporting, and finally the profiling of
and academic work, showed to be a valuable summarizing resource, listeners. This section of the training was carried out through a mixture of
which served through the whole training as a constant framework of note taking, group discussions, and written exercises.
reference for peaceful and professional radio- and music production.
The last section of the radio production training was concerned with the
Radio production training how of making news and news programmes. Therefore, the participants
got to know about how to collect news from local sources, and how to
The radio production training was divided in two parts comprising of source national and international news form the Internet. Additionally, the
taught lessons in the morning and practical activities, to gain experience participants got inside knowledge on the structure and the content of
of the various different skills taught thus far, with further teaching and news headlines and programmes, and on writing news scripts for radio.
assistance as required. For days eight, nine and ten of the training the The final stage of the training was in the form of a demonstration exercise
participants engaged in simulated ON AIR broadcasting, drawing up a that produced a news piece for broadcast on Radio Magwi, from the first
rota of rolls for each day including a schedule of presenters – two ON to the last stages of production.
AIR for two hours each – a news editor and news team to produce hourly
headlines and an evening news programme, plus drama writing and
recording. Training of the small number of participants capable of the role
of news editor was done largely on the job. Assessment criteria for each
role were given to the students ready for assessment the following week.

The content of the classes was divided in four main sections, the first
of which was an introduction to radio as a whole, where the participants
exposed their previous experience of radio. The introductory part was as
well in the form of discussions on what a radio is, what it can, should, and
should not be used for along with issues of neutrality and impartiality. The
last section was in the form of a conversational summary of what makes
good radio as a closing for the introduction.

Page 07
Music production

The aim of this training was to train the participants to become musicians
able to develop, produce and record songs of high quality addressing
problems existing in their communities. Within five (5) weeks, the training
was to enable the participants to record, mix, and produce high quality
songs. The three (3) selected participants were only experienced in writing
lyrics and arranging them suitably for recording on pre-composed songs.
Therefore, the first phase of the training focused on working with Macintosh
computers and using the soft- and hardware (audio interface, microphones,
etc.) required to record and produce songs. None of the participants was
experienced in playing instruments like keyboard or local adungos.

The participants were confronted with an important load of information

about computers, composing and music production that will need continuous
hard work as only experience and motivation can improve quality. The training
hence was concerned with teaching basic knowledge about tunes and playing
the keyboard before it went deeper into the development, mixing and the
production of the final songs. The participants were trained in making beats,
adding instruments like bass, pianos, synthesizer and vocals and in arranging
the songs. Unfortunately it was not possible to find local traditional music
groups in order to train or record them. The pre-selected musicians preferred
to compose modern songs using computer made beats and sounds. The
general make up of the songs leaned towards producing modern songs, as
the affinities of the participants with traditional music were limited.

For the final production the students were introduced to mixing songs using
software plug-ins. The whole process of composing, recording and mixing
of a song using plug-ins and effects in a sensitive way so that the listener can
fully enjoy the creative work of the musicians, needs time and experience.
Considering the final products and the passion the students demonstrated
throughout the five (5) weeks, the training was very successful.

Page 08
Page 09

The initial idea for this project was to develop a radio station that would,
at the time of final broadcasting, cover an area of 15 km around Magwi.
This initial idea would have thus required less time and effort invested in
providing for the equipment, as for the process of selection for example.
The actual project had a much larger area of coverage, ranging up to 75
km. The finances for the project were limited compared to the scope of
the invested human resources of Xchange Perspectives (XCP), as this
latter took care of providing for all the pre-project phase.
The equipment showed to be of a great quality, and the quality-price
correlation clearly showed the extensive efforts of XCP to stay within the
budget lines, yet procure high quality equipment for the project, especially
giving the environmental circumstances where it is to be operated in i.e.
high temperatures. The equipment Xchange Perspectives selected for
the project was provided for by Hieber Lindberg, Munich, Germany and
Broadcasting Warehouse, UK. Much appreciation goes to both for their
cooperation and professionalism.
Page 12
TECHNICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
As for the technicalities of the equipment, Macintosh computers were
privileged for their higher safety, especially concerning virus protection.
Putting up the mast was a crucial concern for Xchange Perspectives,
as the physical setting up of the mast did not initially lie in the area of
responsibility of XCP. The initial agreement was that this particular part
of the project was to be handled by other entities, which was not the
reality on the ground, and Xchange Perspectives had to deal with the
consequences of such disparity between planning and reality. Another
point of concern was the electrical power needed for all sorts of practical
exercises. It was the expectation of Xchange Perspectives that a solar
back up system was to be set on the ground of the project, as to avoid
any major electrical cuts. The reality however, was that there was a major
reliance on the generator, which made the sessions reserved for practical
exercises challenging times.
Space was another challenging aspect of the project as not much was
organized prior to the start of the training. This was the reason behind the
need to put additional effort and time, allocated to rearrange the RDC, in
order to set up the classroom and the studios before the training could
begin. The technical infrastructure was at the same time challenging yet
has showed to be successful thanks to the commitment and extra efforts
put together by the actors on the ground.
PROJECT OUTPUTS
The objective of the Rural Youth Voices Project Magwi is to accelerate
the Magwi community’s peace and development process through the
use of a youth FM radio station, as well as to build up and implement a
flexible, local approach to community development. From a long term
perspective this would contribute to the overall goal of the project,
namely to support a peaceful transition process in Magwi, Eastern
Equatoria, Southern Sudan through equitable access to media platforms,
contributing to the improved wellbeing of rural communities, to peace,
unity and development and the mainstreaming of gender concerns.
Therefore the following key activities were carried out during the
highlighted project period:
PROJECT OUTPUT 1: A LOCALLY-RUN, OWNED AND MANAGED
COMMUNITY FM RADIO STATION IN MAGWI UNDER THE
GUIDANCE OF DED:
• Identified a location for the radio station (RDC compound), a suitable
interim broadcasting and music studio, as well as a location for the
42 meter mast.
• Procured and delivered the required hard- and software to establish
and run the FM radio station and the music production studio in
Magwi.
• Installed all equipment on the RDC compound in Magwi, including all
hard- and software, tested the entire installation for FM broadcasting
as well as for music production and started the broadcasting.
• Determined a management structure for the FM radio station, an
• Secured good cooperation between the community, DED, XCP and
internal management structure for the team as well as the inter-
all other stakeholders involved in the project.
linkages between the internal management structure and the overall
overseeing steering committee. • Promoted the project internationally.
PROJECT OUTPUT 2: YOUTH FROM MAGWI ENABLED TO CAPABLY AND
ACTIVELY PRODUCE RADIO AND MUSIC, INCLUDING PROGRAMMES
AND ACTIVITIES CONCERNING PEACE, UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT:
• Identified fifteen (15) individuals for the radio production training and
three (3) individuals for the music production training.
• Developed curricula and training manuals for Media for Peace, Radio
Production and Music Production and used those during the training.
• Trained all selected individuals in the relevant subjects theoretically
and practically within six (6) weeks.
• Equipped all individuals with the required skills, items and materials
needed to fulfil their tasks.
• Produced ongoing radio broadcasts and songs, addressing relevant
topics and issues for the youth and the community at large in Magwi
County.
• Carried out a broadcasting assessment finding the needs and preferences
of the community in Magwi County in regards to FM radio broadcasting.
PROJECT OUTPUT 3: XCHANGE PERSPECTIVES ABLe TO
IMPLEMENT THE PROJECT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOCAL
COMMUNITY AND DED:
• Secured financial and human resources to conduct the trainings and
set up the radio station and the music production studio.
• Ensured timely travel and wellbeing of the XCP team to and in the field
and back.
Page 13
 PROJECT INPUTS

Financial expenditures for the Youth Voices Magwi Project:

• Human Resource Expenditures: 10,864.33 Euro

• Equipment Expenditures: 20,977.69 Euro

• Other Expenditures: 01,068.92 Euro

• Administration & Telecommunications: 01,645.55 Euro

• Total Expenditure: 34,556.49 Euro

The total over expenditure of 910.94 Euro originates in the many

challenges faced during the project amongst which are related to human
resources, transportation and customs, money transfers, and service
providing issues. It was unfortunate and unpredictable that one of the
initially selected trainers, Veronika Schuetz, was hospitalized due to a
heart muscle infection, and thereupon could no longer be on the project
team. This state of things called for extra measures of securing another
trainer, someone who could be trusted with communicating the values
of the project to the participants along with possessing the necessary
expertise in the field of radio production. Malcolm Webb was judged
suitable at all levels. However, Mr. Webb’s rate was higher than the one
initially budged for with Ms. Veronika Schuetz as a trainer. This resulted
in an increase in the radio trainer’s allowance compared to the amount
initially assumed.

The second issue that obligated an increase in expenditure was the

unforeseeable issues that occurred with the Kenyan Customs, who
required a transit fee, in order to allow the equipment to be shipped to
South Sudan. It is also important to note that one of the money transfers
was confiscated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), at the
Department of Treasury, United States of America, which after returning
the money still deducted a fee from the amount returned.
Page 14
 The most challenging issue faced during the project was concerning
the mast. The service provider, though had partially fulfilled the terms of
the contract, failed to deliver the mast in a timely fashion, especially given
the tight schedule that the project was running on. XCP had to take the
initiative of providing for transportation, from Uganda to South Sudan, and
for the setting up of the mast, which in turn imposed the hiring of qualified
personnel for the task. The total over expenditure was however decreased
thanks to DED’s additional financing for feeding the participants, which
was then used to partially cover for the over expenditure. Taking into
account the seriousness and importance of the challenges faced, it is
thanks to the overall good management of the project that the gap was
reduced to 910.94 EURO.

The extra expenditures, both in the pre-project phase and during

the implementation of the project were fully covered by XCP. These
expenditures include administrative and communication fees, for the
management of the project in Germany, the UK, Uganda, Kenya, and
South Sudan. The lack of a base of coordination and communication
between these different areas was a challenge that XCP successfully
accounted for and took charge of, both on the financial and the human
resource levels.

XCP contributed additionally to approximately 25% of the total

expenditure through voluntary human resource contribution, during the
pre- and post-project phases, as well as during the implementation phase.
Volunteers: Frank Mueller (back office Germany, equipment procurement),
Henning Grobe (finances), Jan Schlink (public relations), Monika Lehnert
(medical support), Eva Kemme (organisation), Dominik Schiess & Heiko
Dreher (graphic design), Leila Bendra & Elena Sofocleous (communications),
Malcolm Webb (coordination Uganda), Samantha Asumadu (support
Uganda), Valeska Onken (support Kenya), Sebastian Prams (equipment
procurement), Irina Mosel (advisory function), Dominik Lehnert (project
conception, coordination and administration, communication).
Page 15
 CHALLENGES & RECOMMENDATIONS

The project has been a great success and it went beyond the first i. All volunteers, board members and RDC staff read and sign an
predictions set at the time of the project proposal writing. It is true that agreement that states a) they must not broadcast anything that incites
levels of cooperation facilitated and eased the whole process, there were hatred or violence and b) they have a responsibility to prevent and
however some challenges that are important to mention, so as in the stop others from doing so and c) they have a responsibility to report it;

future, Radio Magwi FM 92.5 does not become subject to the negative ii. A system of permanent expulsion from the station of members and
consequences of these challenges. Therefore, these challenges are non-members after e.g. one major offence, or three minor offences;
outlined here, and recommendations are set forward, for the future good
functioning of Radio Magwi. iii. Individuals clearly designated with the duty of expelling offenders
from the studio / station, and turning off the radio transmitter if necessary
Future of Radio Magwi 92.5: Sustainability, Peace, and Violence – this probably has to be DED / RDC staff who are permanently on
site.
The first important challenge to address is concerned with issues of • To develop a clear policy on election broadcasting – there is very high
impartiality, peace and violence. Sudan is soon to hold elections, and likelihood of bribery, corruption, biased reporting and coverage etc. A
there are wide speculations about how peaceful, free and fair the electoral pay-for-airtime combined with equal-airtime-for-all-candidates might
process would be. Accordingly, this process and its outcomes might be the best way forward. Content of training on election coverage
come to trigger ethnic violence. The role of radio in such circumstances is would depend on this policy. While the rules and ethics of fair and
crucial, and a close watch on the future developments in Sudan is highly balanced reporting have been covered, specific rules should be laid
required, along with the possible interests that Radio Magwi FM 92.5 down for election coverage.
might get to serve. The fear in this case is to see Radio Magwi transform
from a peaceful Radio disseminating messages of peace, to become a • An accurate translation of the community based approaches through
political weapon in the hands of benefiting authorities. The independence the revision of the make up of the steering committee, which now
of Radio Magwi 92.5 might get to be threatened, and the consequences local authorities make 75% of its members.
of this scenario are both scary and dangerous. • Developing a clear line of the duties, obligations and roles of each
supervising or involved actor, as to avoid confusion of roles, and for
Recommendations concerning this particular point include: reasons of accountability and responsibility.

• In general, there is an urgent need to develop a clear policy and a set of

rules about inappropriate content, in particular broadcasting that incites
hatred or violence, and rules for actions to be taken in the event of that.
This needs to be discussed and agreed upon with the steering committee,
and also with the DED RDC staff who are actually always present at the
station. An example of such policy might include the following points:

Page 16
 The second point of concern has to do with the sustainability of the
actual financing and payment of the journalists. The journalists need to
be allocated a certain amount of money for their work, as to avoid brain
and skill drain towards other radio stations, willing to pay more. Another
negative consequence of this lack of financial incentives concerns the
possible development of one-sided reporting resulting from financial
offers i.e. corruption. Thereupon, financial incentives are needed and
required.

Seminars and Additional Trainings and Dissemination

The level and scope of Radio Magwi FM 92.5 are a source of pride and
inspiration, and the radio is an example to follow. For this level of excellence
to be maintained and for its best improvements, the following sections
will provide for recommendations revolving around future seminars and
additional trainings that both the journalists and the musicians ought to
have access to.

Building upon the previous section, trainings and seminars in conflict

transformation, peace, management and the like should be made
accessible to the journalists and musicians, in order to build an even
stronger foundation for dissipating potential conflicts and/or occurrences
of violence. The recurrence of such trainings could be of once every
month, each time focusing on a particular topic of interest. For purposes
of maintaining the professional level of the journalists, it is recommended
to organize for an additional training in journalism within a timeframe of
the coming six (6) months in order to refresh the existing knowledge of the
journalists, and build upon that for deepening and furthering their skills.

As for the musicians, supporting their talents and endeavours will

definitely push them forward to expanding their creative work. That means
supporting live performances, recordings and trainings. Additionally, a

Page 17
follow up training for the musicians is recommended, as the simple skills
built up can still be further developed. A phase of testing and working with
the so far gained skills of approximately six (6) months is recommended
in order to practice and ascertain the skills. After that several questions
will occur and gaps will be discovered by the musicians and recorders
themselves, which could be answered and bridged by an additional
training.
A further approach of producing music videos for the best songs is
also highly recommended and makes the messages disseminated to the
audience even stronger. Many video halls and bars have a TV set or even
a projector showing music videos mainly from Uganda, Kenya but also
from other countries of the world. As videos produced in Sudan are so
far rarely available, this would be a great success towards keeping South
Sudanese culture.
Technical Aspects
One of the most challenging aspects faced during the implementation
phase of the project was related to the mast, going through issues of timely
delivery, to XCP having to take charge of the transportation and providing
for qualified individuals for the setting up of the mast. Additionally, because
of the absence of an international logistical infrastructure, getting the
equipment to South Sudan was a great challenge i.e. customs, that XCP
handled professionally and with excellence. The communication with
different service providers e.g. CEE, Radio Works, and BW suffered from
a partial lack of motivation from the part of the service providers, and
resulted in delivery delays and frustrations. Yet, all of these challenges
have been overcome, as they were balanced by the eagerness to translate
Radio Magwi 92.5 to reality, and a deep-rooted commitment to values of
peace, cooperation and unity.

As for the dissemination and coverage, most of the material broadcasted As mentioned earlier in this report, technical aspects have been a
through Radio Magwi 92.5 focuses on Magwi town. There is a clear need source of concern and challenge. The recommendations put forward
for training field journalists who would prepare their reports from the area earlier, can only achieve the expected results if the technical infrastructure
where they are based, so as the news do not stay as localized on Magwi is appropriate. Therefore, there is an urgent need to first install a proper
town. The field journalists would call in the radio, and transmit their reports solar back up system as up to now, the radio is running on generator
ON AIR. This recommendation streams from the need to foster values of power, which is neither reliable nor constant.
inclusiveness and ownership. These latter values are as well to be fostered
through a continuous monitoring and regular assessment of the audiences’ A second important point concerns a proper local for the studio, which
preferences and needs. This is the only sustainable and suitable process needs to be provided for. The radio, at the time of writing is operating from
through which the inclusiveness of audiences is guaranteed. a store, which is not soundproof and therefore limits the audio quality
of the broadcasting. As an interim solution this can be considered fair,
Simultaneously, the journalists could engage in XCHANGE programmes however on a long-term perspective, this has to be changed. As for the
with other radio stations, in order to XCHANGE skills, knowledge and views. music production, the musicians are recording in the former RDC staff
This however should be done in a spirit of cooperation and in a balanced office, and it is recommended to provide for a separate room that can be
fashion, so as not to fall into a hierarchical relationship of patronage. made soundproof by using simple mattresses along the walls.

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 On a different note, the mast needs to be maintained and checking
the whole mast set up is recommended once in a three-months period,
preferably once a month. Fencing around the mast basement and around
the three guide ropes is essential, to prevent accidents.

Last but not least, the radio and music equipment is of a high quality,
but still needs to be taken care of and maintained. The journalists and
musicians have been introduced to basic safety and care rules. These
latter need to be observed continuously, for best performance, both in
radio and in music.

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 RADIO MAGWI MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
F M 92 .5 Radi o Ma g wi

RDC STEERING COMMITTEE TTA

ABBA
ANNA
AUUG
GUUS
STTIIN
NEE
O
OKKO
OTT FFR
RAAN
NCCIIS
S
O
OVVE
ERRA
ALLLL O
OVVE
ERRS
SEEE
EIIN
NGGC
COON
NTTR
ROOLL B
BOOD
DYY

RADIO MAGWI MANAGEMENT BOARD

TTaabbaann A
Auugguussttiinnee,, O
Okkoott FFrraanncciiss,, W
Waattm
moonnoo JJaaccoobb K
Keennnneetthh,, TTaabbaann R
Riicchhaarrdd,, O
Okkuum
muu A
Alleexx D
Daanniieell,, S
Sccoovviiaa B
Baayyooaa

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER EXECUTIVE TECHNICIAN

Okot Francis (Deputy: Watmono Jacob Kenneth) Taban Richard (Deputy: Okumu Alex Daniel)

NEWS EDITORS:
- Achire Paul AD
- Amule James Ogeno
- Okot Francis
- Okumu Alex Daniel
- W. Jacob Kenneth
JOURNALISTS:
- Achire Paul AD
- Amule James Ogeno
- Ating Benson
- Ayang Vicky
- Kerere Agnes Okumu
- Okot Francis
- Okumu Alex Daniel
- Oringa Joseph Ojara
- Taban Richard
- W. Jacob Kenneth
NEWS READERS:
- Achire Paul AD
- Amule James Ogeno
- Ating Benson
- Ayang Vicky
- C. Moses Kute
- Oringa Joseph Ojara
- Taban Richard
- W. Jacob Kenneth
DESK PRODUCERS:
- Achire Paul AD
- Ayang Vicky
- Kerere Agnes Okumu
- Okot Francis
- Okumu Alex Daniel
- Oringa Joseph Ojara
- Taban Richard
- W. Jacob Kenneth
PRESENTERS:
- Achire Paul AD
- Amule James Ogeno
- Ating Benson
- Ayang Vicky
- C. Moses Kute
DRAMA DIRECTORS:
- Ijjo Alfred
- Kerere Agnes Okumu - Taban Richard
- Okot Francis
- Okumu Alex Daniel
- Opria Richard Kato
- Oringa Joseph Ojara
- Scovia Bayoa
- Taban Richard
- W. Jacob Kenneth

XCHANGE PERSPECTIVES e.V. I INFO@XCHANGE-PERSPECTIVES.COM I WWW.XCHANGE-PERSPECTIVES.COM Page 1 of 1

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