Bringing Local News to Local People

Khoun Radio Support Project

Local Project Appraisal Committee

15 February 2006

Content of Presentation

1. Background and Situation Analysis2. Objectives3. Project Management Arrangements4. Opportunities, Challenges and Risks5. Project Budget

1. Situation Analysis: Media Landscape

Overall, increasing diversity of information, thanks to the spread of internet and satellite TV …

… but large parts of the population lack access to local information that is vital to take decisions about their lives, e.g. concerning markets, public services, job opportunities, development issues

Availability of Information at sub-provincial level- mostly one-way flow of information- authorities communicate with villages through Nai Baan - or reliance on mouth-to-mouth communication

Situation Analysis: Media Landscape cont.

Radio culture in rural areas- particularly farmers in remote villages- programmes in ethnic languages popular (e.g. LNR: 2 daily

Programmes)

Donor-supported initiatives (ongoing or planned)- Support to Lao National Radio (Sida)- Radio access for remote districts (UNESCO/MIC, Saravane)- Awareness-raising about development issues through media (e.g.

UNICEF)- Internet-radio (EqualAccess)- Lao Journalist Association / Lao National University (EU)

Among the 47 poorest districts in Lao PDR 90 villages with 31 000 people 54% Hmong, 41% Lao Lum, 5% Khamu Access to radio from LNR, some neighbouring provinces – but in

many cases not Xiengkhouang provincial radio Commitment from political leadership and interest from community

Situation Analysis: Khoun District, Xiengkhouang

2. Objectives of the Project

“Voice of Phiavat” Radio Initiative sets out to

1. Improve access to information through local reporting and radio programme making in local languages

2. Increase the voice of Lao citizens – in particular of ethnic people and women – in programme making to help them participate in development decisions that affect their lives

Project Outputs

1. A local radio station in Khoun established

2. Enhanced news making skills of Public Information Officers at provincial and district level

3. Community volunteers and radio board members engaged and trained in programme making and media management

4. A baseline survey of information needs conducted in Khoun District and a technical cooperation initiated with other radio initiatives

5. Project Support

Management Arrangements

Leading Committee

NPD/NPM

Communities in Khoun District

Radio Board

Radio Station

SecretariatGPAR Xiengkhouang

Project Support Unit Media Advisor,

Associate, Translator

AdministratorVolunteers

Translators

Line Agencies

LEAP

SADU

UNICEF

UXO Lao

Other Initiatives

Business

Voice of PhiavatRadio Initiative

Opportunities, Challenges and Risks

Platform for involvement of communities in development dialogue at local level

Better access to information, in particular for people not fluent in Lao

Pilot project for further interventions of MIC Collaboration with UNESCO Politically sensitive, but strong leadership and support from MIC and

province 1-year project: delivery pressure and sustainability issues Close association to GPAR Xiengkhouang Project – (and other

initiatives in the province) Piloting of low-cost technical equipment Partnership with Lao Telecom

Project Budget

Output Cost US$ %

1. Radio Station established 24,000 20

2 Skills of Public Information Officers developed

18,900 16

3. Training of community volunteers and radio board members

26,100 22

4. Project Support 32,700 27

Total 120,000 100

Thank you for your attention

Questions and comments?