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Radio Bar Kulan embarks on new phase of Public Service Broadcasting Mogadishu jimco 12 October 2012 SMC
Radio Bar Kulan embarks on new phase of Public Service Broadcasting Thursday 11 October 2012: Radio Bar Kulan (RBK) has completed the first step in its plans to relocate to Mogadishu and transform into a public service broadcaster. RBK was established with UN funding in early 2010 and started broadcasting in March 1st that year. Its mission was, and remains, to provide independent news and information for the Somali people and Somali diaspora. This core information service is augmented by the expansion of thematic programming, sports reports, development programming, audience participation and Somali music. The overall balance of the station’s programming is to inform, assist and contribute to social cohesion and the peace building process in Somalia. RBK Within six months of broadcasting an attitudinal survey in Mogadishu carried out by ORB International found that RBK had become the third most popular radio station in Mogadishu. One year later, a repeat study by the same company showed that despite the emergence of many new radio stations in Mogadishu RBK had maintained its audience share where 66% of the population listen at least three times per week. The Bar Kulan Trust Charter requires a strict editorial policy of RBK. It stipulates that RBK “…shall provide innovative and high quality broadcasting that lives up to international standards for newsgathering and reporting, reflects the range of views and perspectives held in society, satisfies the needs and interests of the general public in relation to informative broadcasting, and complements programming provided by private broadcasters.” From the beginning RBK was intended to run on a three year UN funding programme, and there has never been an expectation of an extension. Thus all employment contracts and service contracts have only been to the end of this funding period. These limitations have been explained to every new employee before being offered employment. However, in order to keep RBK operating – and thus continue the public service it provides to Somalis and the employment it gives to its staff– a plan was developed that would seek bi-lateral support, re-locate the station to Mogadishu and develop it into a national public service network. This will allow RBK not just to continue as a broadcaster but to work with other radio stations to provide programmes, training and technical assistance, and improving broadcasting standards throughout the country. RBK is already working with other broadcasters in Mogadishu, Bossaso, Galkayco, Dhuusamarreb and Baidoa. The long-planned re-location to Mogadishu will, appropriately, place the operation in the capital city of the people it serves, with a scaled down bureau remaining in Nairobi. All new employment opportunities that this restructure will provide will first be offered to the current staff and it is hoped that many of this dedicated and hard-working team will remain with the station. In preparation for this new phase of RBK the Nairobi bureau has moved to a new and private location. Such a move is a difficult operation for any broadcaster to complete while at the same time maintaining regular station output, but with the dedication and hard work of its staff the move was achieved without any breaks in transmission. Among the latest transmission sites being prepared, RBK is looking into deployment and installation of a transmission facility in Kismayo, where it will be to broadcast the main RBK service to the population. RBK is now poised to enter its new phase, independent of UN funding, operating under international standards of public service and taking its rightful place among Somali media. Web Updating, Somaliweyn Website
Somaliweyn Media Center (SMC)
Somaliweyn Media Center (SMC)
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