–As nearly 12 young Liberian Broadcasters assemble in Kakata for Radio Production Training
Nearly a dozen young Broadcast Journalists assigned at five community radio stations in Kakata, Margibi County are expected to benefit from a week-long Radio Production skills training next week.
The training, will be held under the auspices of the newly established “Teah and Sam Initiative”, begins on September 30, 2019, according to a press release.
It is intended to challenge and remind upcoming and enterprising young broadcasters to conform to international Radio Production norms with the ultimate aim of returning to the golden days of producing “high quality and ever-green” radio programs that would be specific and unique to their local communities.
Teah Doegmah and Sam Howard are two Liberian Journalists, who formerly worked for the Talking Drum Studio of the US-based Search for Common Ground Media Organization. Sam Howard also reported for the BBC in Liberia.
The two media professionals are concerned about the deteriorating pattern of quality radio programming on the airwaves of Liberian Radio Stations. This has also been worsened by the fact that more Radio stations are now focusing on interactive phone-in programs.
The two Journalists are therefore convinced that radio stations will sound better again, when broadcasters are engaged in the production of quality radio programs that will be appealing in contents and values that meet the informational needs of its many listeners.
The press release further quotes the organizers as saying that the “goal of the initiative is to provide some requisite training skills for some young radio journalists in Liberia who will in turn focus on producing radio programs that will primarily educate and empower the population on basic things they need to know about in improving their traditional values, health, agriculture, education, music, and community development activities.”
The concept of the Liberian Rural Communications Network, LRCN, which brought the Radio to the people and vice versa, would also be envisaged.
This radio production skills training is a pilot project that will be conducted from September 30 to October 4, 2019 in Kakata and participating community radio stations will include; Radio Margibi, Radio Kakata, Radio Joy Africa, Classic FM. and Radio Hope; all of Kakata, Margibi County.
The training will focus on mentoring, coaching and practical exercises in radio production skills and techniques that will sharpen the skills of participants. It is anticipated that these training sessions will be scaled up to community radio stations in other regions of the country.