Sudan

Common Ground Journalism Training

Search for Common Ground (SFCG)and the Badya Centre carried out an in-depth needs assessment of the media environment in South Kordofan and of the capacities of the two radio stations in South Kordofan – Kadugli Radio and Al-Fula Radio – with the goal of building these stations’ capacities to produce a radio program about conflict transformation and peacebuilding.

• Radio is the most accessed and preferred channel for receiving information to residents in South Kordofan;

• Youth are the most enthusiastic about using radio as a tool for peacebuilding. Many youths are unemployed and vulnerable to manipulation. They see radio programs as essential to tackle the issues of alcohol and drug usage, non-acceptance of ‘others’, human security and conflict transformation;

• Rumors circulate very quickly among communities. Training in rumor management is recommended as an appropriate new methodology for Badya Centre to use with journalists and community leaders, helping them to play a vital role in circulating information that will support peaceful coexistence among their communities;

• Community radio stations have experience broadcasting programs in local languages that engage the non-Arabic speaking communities constituting the majority in South Kordofan;

• Local radio stations have experience in executing behavioral change and civic education through programming on health, the census, and the election;

• Phone-in, entertainment and dramatic programs are preferred by most of the people in South Kordofan; interactive programs should include quizzes and awards to secure audience participation.

• Most of the audience indicated that their preferred listening time was the evening, and that they preferred to listen to social, cultural, and music programs. Some of listeners preferred religious programs, live entertainment programs, and short social dramas.

Based on this assessment, SFCG introduced its “common ground methodology” to Badya Centre, strengthening their programming toolbox. We worked with the Badya Centre to organize journalism trainings for the two stations, reinforcing their capacity in the methodology. The facilitators used an Arabic translation of our Radio for Peacebuilding Guidebook on Rumor Management (available here).