Talking Drum Studio

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Mexico XVII - Communication

Communication perspectives - Mexico XVII AIDS Conference
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Country

Liberia, Sierra Leone

Region

Global, Africa

Programme Summary

In 1997, Search for Common Ground (SCG) in Liberia, in association with European Centre for Common Ground (EEG) and Common Ground Productions (CGP), opened a radio production facility in Monrovia, Liberia. Initially focused on election education and polling procedures, Talking Drum Studio - Liberia (TDS-L) produces original programming in an effort to help reduce conflict in West Africa. TDS-L aims to reduce political and ethnic violence - stressing themes of peace, reconciliation, and democratisation. The Community Services Unit, a community outreach programme working in partnership with the studio, works on the local level.

Communication Strategies

Programming includes a regular 1/2-hour news programme, roundtable forums, and dramatistions that are also performed as street theatre. Broadcast materials receive more than 30 hours per week of airplay on 17 Liberian and international radio stations. The BBC plays TDS news features on its Africa Service programme, Network Africa. Staff associated with the Community Services Unit recognise problems on the local level and intervene with a variety of tools, ranging from mediation to trainings to soccer tournaments. In 2000, SFCG opened a second Talking Drum Studio, in Sierra Leone.

One area of particular focus is children's programming. Liberian children produce Golden Kids News and Children's World for children; adult TDS-L staff serve as trainers and mentors.

TDS-L also promotes AIDS prevention in Liberia and then mentors TDS-SL to do the same in Sierra Leone. After staff attended trainings in Washington, DC, TDS-L teamed up with the National AIDS Control Program to design a campaign that has, to date, included billboards with HIV/AIDS messages in three locations in Monrovia and nine public service announcements. The Community Services Unit staff distributed t-shirts and over 6,000 condoms at various events.

Finally, TDS-L inspired local broadcasters and newspapers in Liberia to form Media Against Conflict (MAC), a collaborative project to use the media to help resolve conflicts and address challenging national issues.

Development Issues

Political Development, HIV/AIDS, Conflict, Children.

Key Points

Talking Drum Studio aims to reduce political and ethnic violence stressing themes of peace, reconciliation, and democratisation. Radio is used to promote dialogue among polarised groups. One way this is achieved is by ensuring that the production facility employs journalists of different ethnic backgrounds. According to its founder, CGP, TDS-L has a 90% listenership among Liberians.

In 2001, the Independent News newspaper recognised TDS-L's contribution to building peace in Liberia by awarding the programme its "Media Institution of the Year" honour.

Partners

Talking Drum Studio - Sierra Leone, European Centre for Common Ground (ECCG), Common Ground Productions, Search for Common Ground, National AIDS Control Program.