Launched in November 1997 with a small 22 watt transmitter, providing only a 5-mile radius of coverage. It transmitted five hours a day to its single village audience. Now (late 1998) it has acquired a larger transmitter, extending coverage to 30 miles (30 villages) reaching an approximate population of 100,000 people. Programming is upbeat and includes interviews with the public, health advisories, consumer and environmental capsules, farming, and news items and music - all Caribbean.
Economic development, social development, political development, women, rights, environment, health.
Negotiations for the setting up of the station lasted two years. The broadcasting license was obtained only on direct intervention by the Prime Minister, Basdeo Panday. The staffing, which is volunteer, is 70% female. Programming is determined mostly by the village women who go to the station with complaints and needs. Radio Toco has begun collaboration with other community radio stations, exchanging news and programmes using telephone and fax.
Supported by UNESCO, Toco Foundation, and Citizens Agenda Network.
Phone: (1809) 622 0536
fax: (18090 628 4807
e-mail: port-of-spain@unesco.org [4]
web site: UNESCO website [5].
"Media for Community Building in the Caribbean" - paper presented by Jocelyn Josiah.
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Links:
[1] http://www.comminit.com/en/node
[2] http://www.comminit.com/en/node/115406
[3] http://www.comminit.com/en/taxonomy/term/307
[4] mailto:port-of-spain@unesco.org
[5] http://www.unesco.org