Talking Drum Studio

SFCG soap opera actors in the town of Guekedou rehearsing their parts

In recognition of the key role radio can play in managing and mitigating conflict, and informed from its extensive experience in the region, SFCG seeks to develop the capacity of local media organizations to contribute peace-building efforts through professional and reliable programming in cooperation with the Ministry of Information and local and international NGO partners. SFCG’s Talking Drum Studio in Conakry provides this support through a coordinated effort utilizing journalism training, technical support and the production of quality radio programming.

Professional Radio Journalism Training and Technical Support
SFCG capacity-building activities target community radio stations in the rural areas of Guinea. Journalists and producers from these stations acquire new knowledge and skills to create informative and balanced programming. The trainings also include a heavy focus on the causes to conflict, and the role of journalists during conflict. In addition, SFCG also facilitates technical training for radio station staff so that Guinean radio stations can offer high-quality and professional programmes to their listeners. As part of these trainings journalists have been prepared to begin broadcast of radio call-in shows around the electoral process. SFCG supports its partner radio stations throughout Guinea with programs to air, equipment and technical support. These materials aid smaller community radio stations that may otherwise lack the ability to upgrade their own capacity.

Radio Programming: Promoting Democracy and Good Governance
Guinea is arriving at a critical point, with recent incidences of political and social unrest creating a new urgency to address the issues of democracy and good governance. SFCG has been at the forefront of these efforts, using its radio production capacity to inform the population and support a peaceful transition.

SFCG produces short skits and a one soap opera directed at addressing democracy and governance issues. SFCG has negotiated broadcast on the state national radio station as well as private stations in Conakry and rural radio stations in six locations around the country. As elections preparations progress, SFCG will extend its governance-related activities to produce voter education spots and jingles as well as join efforts with CRS to enhance public participation in local and national debates. Wontanara a Sousou word, used by people from all backgrounds, meaning 'We are on the same side' or 'We are United,' supports democracy and good governance. Accompanying Wontanara is a fifteen-minute weekly soap Kissidougou Feu N'est Pas Incendie (A Fire is not Always Destructive), addressing human rights, corruption, governance, and HIV/AIDS.

To inform its democracy and governance programming, Talking Drum Studio organizes regular focus groups from key members of Guinean civil society and local leaders, where they are asked to discuss the issues that are current and most pressing in their own lives. These issues are then woven into the soap opera storylines by SFCG scriptwriters.

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