News You Can Use: Radio Program Saves Lives in Haiti

Editor’s Note: The following is a guest post from Mark Frohardt, VP of Humanitarian Media at Internews Network. Mark discusses the necessity of providing news and information to the people of Haiti, as they continue to rebuild their lives. Since just after the earthquake, Internews Network has been delivering a radio news program — News You Can Use — to multiple local stations throughout the country.

by Mark Frohardt

The horror of the massive earthquake has eased somewhat for Haitians but they are still struggling with its overwhelming after effects. Movement has been made on providing food, shelter, employment and information. But still, close to two million people are living in temporary camps, in which problems of garbage disposal, health, security and domestic violence are compounded. Providing Haitians with information is critical to their continuing struggle to obtain employment, education for their children, permanent housing and access to health services.

Since a few days after the earthquake, with a team of local reporters, Internews has been producing a daily 15 minute news program – Enfomasyon Nou Dwe Konnen (News You Can Use) – that is currently airing on 25 local radio stations.

The program reports critical information about water distribution points, openings of displaced persons camps, the role of search and rescue teams, public health advisories, education, culture and more. The program invites direct feedback from the affected population in the form of SMS text messages and emails, keeping the broadcast current.

A survey found that 82 percent of men and 67 percent of women listen to Enfomasyon Nou Dwe Konnen as an information source.

“If you go to Haiti, everyone, just everything they say is, ‘News You Can Use said that. News You Can Use said that,’” said Caitlin Klevorick, Special Assistant to Counselor Cheryl Mills, US State Department, at a panel discussion on the role of media in the response to the earthquake.

Radio, along with church, is one of the most trusted sources of information in Haiti and people overwhelmingly prefer local stations. The continuation of humanitarian broadcasting as well as building and sustaining a strong local media is critical to Haiti’s reconstruction and political and economic development.

Haitians continue to live through an unimaginable nightmare. Hundreds of thousands remain in need of food, water, medicine and shelter. To build their way out of this devastation, Haitians need the critical information that will allow them to make the most of the aid they are receiving and continue on the long process of restoring their communities.

As aid efforts continue, we can neither forget nor abandon the dedicated and brave local journalists whose information saves lives. With every deadline met by a Haitian journalist today, a lifeline is thrown to their listeners, viewers and readers.

Mark Frohardt is head of humanitarian media with Internews. Contact him through Internews’ website.

photo credit: Internews

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Beng Kiat L.

10:07PM PDT on Jul 18, 2010

thanks

send a green star

Nellie K A.

12:37PM PDT on Jul 14, 2010

good news. But moe needs to be done. Food, basic supplies are being delayed since the beginning of the earthquake seismic event.

Christine S.

5:55PM PDT on Jul 13, 2010

Good to know that there are journalists helping out the people of Haiti- when your whole life has fallen apart, at least you have some kind of connection with others via the information from the radio.

Jason C.

9:02PM PDT on Jul 11, 2010

thats really cool!

Kerrie G.

5:47PM PDT on Jul 11, 2010

Great info!

Rita C.

11:31AM PDT on Jul 11, 2010

Sounds like a much needed source of information - the article mentioned Haitian journalists involved, but I would have liked to have heard if it is completely locally run, and if it is a source of employment locally and not an outside run business.

gerlinde p.

7:33AM PDT on Jul 11, 2010

great service, thanks for the article.

Catherine A.

6:21AM PDT on Jul 11, 2010

It's good to hear there are still people making a difference in Haiti, after the news crews have left and the situation is no longer in the widespread public consciousness

P H.

6:17AM PDT on Jul 11, 2010

The Voice of America's Creole service has been broadcasting to Haiti for 23 years via shortwave which is what most of the population has access to. The Creole service has provided live call in medical advice to Haitians as well as expanding their regularly scheduled programming during this crisis. They have also added added and FM frequency on which to broadcast. This is supported by your tax dollars America.

http://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/2010/01/voa-expands-creole-service-to-haiti.html

http://radiotime.com/station/s_17789/Voice_of_America_Creole.aspx

Erin flu R.

8:48PM PDT on Jul 10, 2010

Thank you!