Radio journalists in Mali board the ICT train

Five different radio stations from the interior of Mali were involved: Radio Jamana from Nioro, Radio Diedougou from Dioro, Radio Wassoulou from Yanfolila, Radio Foghas from de Bourem and Radio Daandé from Douentza. Each of these radio stations sent two representatives to the training course. The goal of the training course was to strengthen the journalists’ skills in producing end editing digital radio. The training course lasted for four weeks during which the journalists divided their time between theoretical training and an on-site traineeship at Radio Klédu.

The theoretical part of the training course consisted of training materials that explained how to work with Goldwave; a programme developed by a Canadian and English software developer to produce and edit digital radio. Choosing this software programme was easy as it was by far the cheapest software and has many advantages for local radio stations.

Jacques Dez, General Manager of Radio Klédu, was in charge of the theoretical part of the training course. According to Mr Dez: “Times are changing and, with the availability of new technology, this training session offers the trainees an excellent opportunity to expand their skills in analogue radio editing to include digital radio editing”. The training course was co-financed by the Fonds d’appuis à la formation professionnelle (FAFPA) and USAID. The goal of the training course was to educate journalists working in this new digital age to make high-quality radio programmes using state-of-the-art technology.

It has enabled them to make use of the advantages offered by modern information and communication technology (ICT) and will considerably improve the quality of their work.

Mr Dez indicated that it was the National ICT for Development Network TOGUNET (www.mali-ntic.com, supported by IICD) that took the lead in this whole process by organising an awareness session on the use of ICT in journalism in 2005.

Before the training course started, the participants were all very exited about it. According to some of them, the timing of the course was perfect as radio is an up-and-coming medium in Mali and it is necessary for journalists to have the right skills to be able to work with this medium. One of the biggest differences between analogue and digital radio editing is the fact that digital radio editing offers journalists the opportunity to erase mistakes, which is of course an advantage.

The course participants greatly appreciated this training initiative. According to Amadou Sow from Radio Daandé in Douentza “With this training course we will be able to make a difference with our radio broadcasts”. After the training course each participant received a manual of the software, which was a nice gesture on the part of the course organisers.

Thanks to this initiative, Malian journalists will certainly not be missing the ‘ICT train’.

By Fousseyni SANOGO