98.6 Fm MTWARA COMMUNITY RADIO.

INTRODUCTION.

Community broadcasting happens to be a very effective tool to

enhance democratic procedures in communications; correcting
distortions and omissions, as well as phasing out the element of
marginalization of particular social groups by catering for the cultural
sentiments, wishes and aspirations of all participants.

As we concentrate on the twenty first century, community

broadcasting, (or community media in general) needs to be given the
chance to help in the promotion of public debate, so as to collaborate
with main stream media in promoting that debate.

That being the case, we as an interested party, strived to establish in

Mtwara the Southern part of Tanzania, a 98.6 Mtwara Fm Radio of the
community, for the community by the community and about the
community, which forms a critical component philosophy for people
centered development, which is need oriented, self reliant, indigenous,
ecologically sustainable and based on structural transformation.

Therefore, Mtwara Community Radio will enhance people’s

participation in democracy, together for their own social and economic
well being.

BACK GROUND HISTORY.

Founded by a female media practitioner with twenty four years
working experience with Radio Tanzania, (1970-1994) this radio station
is a result of initiatives triggered by groups namely the Uganda Rural
Development and Training program, the Mang'elete women's group of
Kenya and the Pastoralist Survival Program from Tanzania, who
requested Eco News Africa to assist them to establish their own
information and communication system and structures; in particular,
Community Radio stations.
Although by then the task was challenging because Eco News Africa
met with skepticisms among several donors who believed that
community owned radio stations in East Africa would never see the
light of the day, inspite of three forms of ownership such as public,
commercial, (private) and community, being embraced internationally
as sufficient to cater for all broadcasting communication needs and
purposes of any country, irrespective of its developmental stage.
Actually, it is almost true that in our part of East Africa, the case has
been significant , since beside having huge numbers of licensed
broadcasting services now adding to over thirty radio stations and over
sixty television outlets, (Terrestrial and cable operators ) there are
hardly ten community radio stations to date!

The community radio stations now available include Radio Sengerema

in Mwanza, Radio Orkonerei in Simanjiro district Arusha, Radio FADECO
in Karagwe, IDYDC-Nuru Fm Iringa, KITULO Fm Radio, Kyela Community
Radio, Micheweni Community Radio in Pemba, Radio Kwezira in
Kagera, Radio Mwokozi, in Masasi and Mtwara Fm Radio.

The majority of radio stations are private outlets for commercial and
proselytization (religious) purposes and few are government ones such
as TBC, (former Radio Tanzania Dar Es Salaam, the RTD ) and almost
two scores others owned by Municipal and Local district councils subtly
deployed for administration objectives.
Nevertheless, back in the 90s, through Eco News Africa efforts,
against all odds, a series of National, Regional and International
workshops followed under sponsorship of Swedish International
Development Agency (SIDA) the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, (FES) the Ford
Foundation and the United Nation's Development Program, (UNDP)
whose complementary input provided the foundation of the
achievement in community radio establishment in the Region. To
crown it all, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in collaboration
with GRETT from France, URTNA in West Africa and Panos in London,
held a sensitization workshop in Ouagadougou Burkinafaso between
1994 and 1996, on Development and support of Rural Radio in Africa.
Various media actors from Africa as well as International partners
attended.
Then followed an East African Advocacy workshop for Community
Media in 1999 where sixty participants drawn from broadcasting
media, communication trainers, media practitioners, community media
groups in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, attended. Others were
members of Community Media Network for East and Southern Africa
(COMNESA) the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) the National
Community Radio Forum (NCRF) World Association of Community
Broadcasters (AMARC) Kenya Community Media Network (KCOMNET)
and Panos East Africa.
The Mtwara Community Radio female founder was among the people
who attended this workshop, which was organized inline with the
vision of addressing, strategizing and planning on how community
media can take it’s place as the third most important media sector in
our nations and a partner in the developing countries. This outstanding
workshop was simultaneously held in Burkinafaso West Africa, Dar Es
Salaam Tanzania and Nairobi Kenya between years 1994/96, 2000 and
2002, organized simultaneously by
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Media Institute of Southern
Africa, Tanzania chapter (MISA - TAN) and Kenya Community Media
Network (KCOMNET).
One of these workshops were individually conducted in the aim of
Supporting Rural Radio in Africa, (by FAO) as a campaign on
establishment of community Radio stations in Tanzania, (by MISA-TAN)
and a third as the Sub-Regional workshop on Legal and Strategic
Considerations for Community Broadcasting / media.( by KCOMNET)
2.2 OUR STRATEGY.

Due to failure of the state and private broadcast system to mobilize

the peasants and help them to understand the problems they face and
what can be done about them, we set forth to establish community
communication groups in the area that our Radio Station reaches.
Incidentally, we have since yea 2003 mobilized the grass roots
community in the Coastal Region through Rural Radio Resource
Packages International Radio Programs play back on farmers
innovations on agriculture and food processing; recorded from Africa,
Asia and the Caribbean.
This was in line with international reporting fore World Radio for
Environment and Natural Resources, (WREN-media-UK) which we have
been reporting for.
As a strategy, the Community Communication Groups were a source of
sensitive village information gathering, fed to the UK-based WREN-
media, for international broadcasting along with other recordings from
different parts of the developing world for comparison and for learning
from each other.

Having established this constructive community response through the

groups, (initially in the Coastal Mkuranga District) so that community
may rally and have a common action on community media Advocacy,
we then applied for the community Radio Registration for Mkuranga
District and neighboring areas.

2.3 OBTAINING A 98.6 Operating frequency for Mtwara community

Radio!

Year 2004, Tanzania communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA)

advised us to shift
our initiatives to Mtwara or Lindi where service is best needed, and
where frequency interference will be minimal. This called for a special
research on our part, concerning the community in the southern part of
the country, their problems and needs, failures and achievement etc,
so as to again establish another constructive community response for
common action. It was evident that Community in that area needed to
be sensitized on the importance of a community Radio structure.
In the process of conducting this special research, TCRA provided us
with the construction permit, which had a twelve month lifespan,
beginning September 2008!
Somehow, the original permit to be produced in 2007 did not reach us
in time, and so we had to appeal for permit renewal. This move slowed
down our pace. Even as we appealed to TCRA to renew the original
permit, the new permit reached us eight months to expiring time.
Thanks to WREN –media in UK and Concern World Wide Tanzania
office, since between them we have been able to acquire premises in
Mtwara. The premises has been converted into a studio and an office.

We especially owe a lot more to The Foundation For Civil Society who
went out of their way to part with a large sum of cash to fund us,
contrary to their usual system of funding by installment, and as a
result making it possible for us to procure studio equipment, in March
2010. By June the same year, the 98.6 Fm Radio was broadcasting it’s
first test transmission!

Currently our Antenna is erected on top of an Artmus gas company

tower, through their kind courtesy, and when later the funds are in
place, we are planning on using the present Antenna as a link, as we
move our transmitter location to Lilungu mountain as instructed by
TCRA. This will ensure an even better coverage.

2.4 KEY OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGY

With the ratio of telephony in rural to urban areas being one to twenty
in Africa and the majority of rural population being located outside the
information circuit, the activities proposed are structured such that
they align with our goal in bridging the gap between the rich and the
poor through addressing that situation. There is also a sense that we
will build our own centers of knowledge, which other people can
borrow from, (in the rural), while the content of the information
economy is such that the builder of the content (rural community) is
the one who benefits from "This economy".

OUR OBJECTIVES INCLUDE.

-To stimulate creativity and local initiatives as a way to promote self

reliance and development.
-To provide a forum for debate of local issues and problem solving.
-To promote the African/Tanzanian culture.
-To generate income for the station’s sustainability.
-To train community for community participation.
-To assist initiatives on issues of education, health and agricultural
activities within the community.
-To support initiatives for poverty alleviation and community’s well
being and livelihood.
-To collaborate with World Radio for Environment and Natural
Resources, (WREN media) for programmes’ exchange, training and
fund raising.
-To sensitize community on HIV/AIDS, reproductive health and related
issues.
-To draw together organizations, institutions and business companies
to share the Community Radio vision.
-To address gender issues and various forms of violence including
Female Genital Mutilation. (FGM)

PARTICIPATORY RADIO PROGRAMMES.

Besides appealing to the interests and desires of the audience,

community Radio programmes in addition to pleasing, entertaining and
providing some general enlightment for it’s audience, they will also
seek to facilitate change, social progress and better living conditions in
the community that the radio serves.

To achieve this, our staff will deal with a great number of listeners,
looking for audience loyalty. The unique advantage that the
community radio has, over other type of broadcasting in winning
audience is it’s ability to be specifically relevant to the particular
needs, interests and desires of it’s audience. To reach this level of
relevance, Mtwara Community Radio will constantly involve
participation of that audience in the planning operations and
evaluation of it’s programming.

PARTICIPATION IN ASCERTAINING NEEDS AND PREFERANCES

There will be a consultation process to establish certain things about

each of the main audience sectors. (women, men, youth, farmers,
cooperative members, etc.) Main things to be ascertained by the
project are:
*Listener’s needs.
*Listeners preferences.
*Listening habits. (eg times of the day when people mainly tune in.

This information is the bases for deciding our programme content and
scheduling of programmes at times that best suit the various segments
of audience.
PARTICIPATION IN PRODUCING PROGRAMMES.

Everything possible should and will be done to encourage individuals

and groups to participate in programmes production. In this context
groups might also be Ngo’s working in the community. Apart from the
encouragement of individuals and groups to participate, the principal
role of our station staff is to provide technical support and facilities to
the programmes producers.

For instance, a programmes produced in a different village each week

which is covered by the Community Radio’s broadcast pattern in
essence, will be a variety show in which villagers take the lead, say as
singers, musicians, poets or interviewers and interviewees, panel
discussion members, etc. Such programmes are expected to give
community an opportunity to discuss relevant issues and village
concerns in public, with local leaders called on to respond and make
their opinions and positions clear. This often gives rise to debate on
the subject.

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATIONS IN EVALUATING PROGRAMMES.

Letters and phone calls from listeners provide feedback from audience
about the station’s programmes. Also conducting station’s period
evaluation of members from it’s various audience sectors through
Focus Group Discussions, as well as listeners groups.

BALANCING VIEWS.

The main thrust of Mtwara Community Radio is to try and promote fair
discussion and debate that can lead to resolution of conflicting view
point and democratic consensus. The personnel of the station and the
way they work, are fundamental in achieving all that. ( the term
personnel includes volunteer workers.) The staff of the station will no
let their opinions influence the participants.Special consideration will
be given to the role of religious authority in numerous communities.

LOCATION OF THE STATION AND STUDIO PREMISES

98.6 Fm Mtwara Community Radio is located at Shangani East, in the

same premises where Concern World Wide International Organization
has it’s offices. The studio premises include:

• A mini conference room and office.

• Technicians’ cubicle and receiving and working areas.
• A mini store.
 • A transmitter room.

98.6 Fm MTWARA COMMUNITY RADIO STRUCTURE.

1. The Chairperson and founder.

2. The Advisory Board.
3. The Executive Committee.
4. The Volunteer Group.
5. The Staff. (at a later date)

THE CHAIRPERSON:

She is the key and founder member of this project. Through her
supervision, leadership will take decisions between Annual General
Meeting, (AGM) the supreme decision making forums.
This leadership represents community interests in the day to day
running of the station activities, and ensures the policies guiding the
daily management are developed, and they reflect the interests of the
community the station serves.

A. THE EXECUTIVE COMMETEE

This is comprised of Radio broadcasting professionals under the

Chairperson, with active members of Journalists Environment and
HIV/AIDS Network, ( JEAN media,) and from Community Communication
Groups, (CCG) established within the community as a news and
information gathering source.

B. VOLUNTEER WORKERS.

These are drawn from the community. They are involved in the
planning, programmes’ production, news gathering etc. providing
management backup, contributing towards policy making and
development planning. These activities are coordinated by a volunteer
coordinator who sits on management,(executive) committee. Trough
this method, the station will also have listeners groups and clubs
where listeners can critique programming and suggest programming
idea. (coordinator works under the manager answerable to the
Chairperson.)

C. MANAGEMENT POLICY.

Central to the definitions of Community Radio, is that it should either

be registered as a non- profit making organization or owned by an
organization registered as a non- profit. Mtwara Community Radio is
directly registered by Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority,
(TCRA) following a request by it’s lady founder.

D. PROGRAMMING POLICY.

This Community Radio will be characterized by an active community

participation in all the structures of the Organization. The community
that the station serves will be involved in developing the radio station
project, and in designing future programmes.
The community participating structure is being set up by inviting
people to join in the process. Great efforts are being put into
empowering the local people to run this station through obtaining
participation and enthusiasm.

At this early stage of the project preparation, it is difficult to have a

proper community participation. But programmes with valuable
context made locally by our professionals, as well as programmes from
abroad produced internationally by WREN media of UK, (with material
from African and ACP Countries) which will certainly appeal to the
listeners, are underway. Nevertheless, the need for producing quality
programmes will not be an excuse to exclude the participation of the
community in the production process.

Qualified journalists and broadcasters at home and professional radio

producers with great skills from abroad, ( such as WREN media UK,
Developing Radio Partners, USA etc) will be working with community,
involving them in producing programmes .

SUSTAINABILITY OF THE PROJECT.

Our Community Radio Sustainability largely depends on continued

community support and participation in training, programmes
sponsorship and commercial sports, human resources etc.

FINANCES.

Besides personnel, finances are an element that is crucial. Hence we

will design strategies; both short and long term financial plans for
sustaining the institution. Strategies will include radio request for
community greetings, sell of special cards etc.

BROADCAST COVERAGE.

98.6 Fm Mtwara Community Radio broadcasts in Mtwara, covers the

following ares:
MTWARA URBAN:

Mikindani Area- Ziwani, Naliendele, Sanga mkuu, Chuno, Chikongola,

Mageni tandika, and Mbezi.

MTWARA RURAL.

Mtamba, Swala, Mbemba leo, Tangazo, Kilambo, Mtimbwilimbwi,

Mpapula, Nalingwa, Maulunga, and Litumbo.

TANDAHIMBA:

Chikwaya, Masasi, (urban) and Lindi.

Coverage is expected to expand as soon as we change transmitter

location to Lilungu mountain as instructed by TCRA, using the present
location as a link.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF MTWARA

Mtwara was to have been the export facility for the disastrous
Tanganyika groundnut scheme abandoned in 1951. In 1948 the
British Government formulated this “Tanganyika groundnut
scheme” through the Overseas Food Corporation (OFC). The
purpose was to alleviate the world wide shortage of vegetable oils.
However, inadequate research and adverse environmental
conditions caused by poor planning resulted in the complete and
disastrous failure of the scheme. The port of Mtwara was to have
been the focus of the exported crop.

Mtwara features a deep water port that can accommodate

oceangoing going vessels and a range of large municipal buildings
including post office.

LOCATION.

Mtwara a Southern Region of Tanzania which has been under

developed, is constrained by the lack of highway and energy
infrastructures. The Dar Es salaam- Kibiti-Lindi- Mtwara road has
been improved by completion of ‘the Mkapa bridge’ over the Rufiji
river. However, Mnazi Bay gas promises to provide reliable
adequate electricity for powering industrial and commercial
activities in the Region. Currently, the Artmus Gas Company is
undertaking such a project in Mtwara.
The boundary with Mozambique to the south is formed by the River
Ruvuma. To the west Mtwara is bordered by Rvuma Region, to the
north by Lindi Region and to the east is the Indian Ocean. The
capital is Mtwara.

POPULATION.

According to the 2002 Tanzania National Consensus, the population

of the Region was 1, 128, 523. The three major tribes include
wamakonde, wahyao and wamakua. Most of them are farmers
depending on cashew nut production, the cash crop.

DISTRICTS.

Mtwara Region is administratively divided into six districts of

Masasi, Nanyumbu, Newala, Tandahimba, Mtwara Urban and
Mtwara Rueal.