Escucha! Taking Community Radio Digital in the Americas

This initiative draws on in-person exchanges, as well as information and communication technologies (ICTs) to train journalists from Latin America and Spanish-language US media for digital radio training and the creation of an internet platform to exchange stories and enrich coverage.

Having been selected through a competitive (online) application process, the 18 participants first met for a 6-day training conference in Washington, DC. In addition to reporting field trips, the conference provided an opportunity for radio journalists to meet with those making the policies for low-powered radio stations in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and with leaders in the radio industry, including from public media and the Hispanic Communication Network, which produces several radio programmes for the ethnic media. They also learned about new trends in digital radio news production and current issues, such as health, education, trade, and the environment, that affect the immigrant communities in the US as well as people in the immigrants' homelands. The programme included a panel discussion about whether the economic stimulus package developed by President Barrack Obama's Administration is expanding broadband access for minority communities.

The second phase of the programme (starting in January 2010) will provide digital radio coaching to 10 of the 18 community radio stations (5 in Latin America and 5 that broadcast to immigrant communities in the US). ICFJ will assign to each radio station a trainer who has digital radio expertise and experience working with ethnic media. The trainer will work with the selected stations for up to 2 weeks, providing hands-on training and coaching to reporters, producers, and citizen journalists. The training will focus on radio news production and radio Web development in an effort to improve the stations' ability to produce and stream digital audio through the internet. The programme will also include 2 Spanish-language online seminars on digital radio.

One focus of this training will be on using the digital platform developed with PRX, an online marketplace and a social network of radio stations, listeners, and producers based in Cambridge, Massachusetts (US). Specifically, any radio station, any distributor, and any producer can add work to a PRX catalog of documentaries, series, commentaries, and features. PRX sends out regular programming suggestions and highlight relevant content on the website. Alternatively, a search tool is designed to help locate precisely what is sought, at the right length, on the right subject, or by the right producer. Anyone - public radio enthusiasts, reviewers, producers, programme decision-makers, etc. - can listen to the full-length stream of any piece. PRX takes care of all the rights and royalties. Every station starts with 2 hours of free radio, and every producer starts with 2 hours of free audio space. After that, a single annual fee is paid for unlimited storage.

Media Development, Community Radio.

According to ICFJ, "Community radio stations are a vital source of information for the rapidly expanding community of Hispanic workers in the United States, as well as in their homelands. But the stations serving ethnic communities need trained reporters and volunteers who can report accurately and responsibly for their communities on issues related to health, education, personal finance, and the environment."