Radio for Peacebuilding Nepal

Nepal has a well developed media sector with over 130 FM stations operating around the country. Many of the stations are new with the government having issued many licenses since the beginning of the democratization process. While the creation of local media is a necessity for democracy, there are risks that the new radio stations could be easily manipulated by political interests and used to foster conflict. On the other hand, there is an opportunity for new radio professionals to have a positive contribution to building peace.

SFCG, with support from the United States Institute for Peace and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has launched Radio for Peacebuilding Nepal, a project aimed at building the capacity of radio professionals to use their programs and stations to support the peace process. The project consists of several components:

Radio for Peacebuilding Guidebooks and Resources
SFCG has produced two guidebooks for radio professionals in peacebuilding. Both books are based off guides published as part of SFCG’s Radio for Peacebuilding Africa project. They were adapted by Ragu Mainali of the Community Radio Resource Center.

Radio Talkshows for Peacebuilding – This guide was developed with the input of some of Nepal’s leading figures in broadcast media. It provides tools for radio talkshow hosts and producers to be able to address conflict issues and support the peacebuilding process on the air.
Youth Radio for Peacebuilding – This guide is designed to equip media professionals and youth leaders to use the radio as a tool to create voice for young people, enabling them to directly contribute to peacebuilding in their communities.
Training Program – In order to supplement the guides, SFCG runs a six-month training program for radio producers and talkshow hosts. The training consists of three components – a workshop series, follow-up coaching from SFCG staff, and production of exemplary programs. The training process prepares participants to host shows that intervene in a conflict context, bring people together from across dividing lines, find common ground and present solutions.

As a result of the training cycle in 2007, radio stations throughout the country developed new shows focused on the peace process during the crucial months leading up to elections. For example, Koshi FM from Biratnagar (in the troubled Eastern flatlands) has been producing an ongoing program called Santi Batuwa (Messangers of Peace). This program aims to bring people's voices for peace onto the air, addressing issues of both major ethnic communities of the area (Madeshi and Pahade). Additionally, Radio Janakpur produces a weekly program called Santi ka lagee Grameed Awaaz (Rural Voices for Peacebuilding) in which they seek solutions to local, community-based problems and conflicts. Lastly, Suklaphata FM in Kanchunpur produces a program called Local Issues, Local Solutions in which they bring out the major problems facing communities while seeking effective solutions.

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Search For Common Ground in Nepal
P.O. Box 24905
Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977 (1) 553 5909
Fax: +977 (1) 553 0171
stripathee@sfcg.org