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Radio Capacity Building in Zanzibar – A Case Study

July 2012

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Table of Content

1. Executive Summary .................................................................................................. 3

2. State of the Media in Zanzibar ................................................................................. 4

SFCG’s Media Intervention ..................................................................................... 5

3. Report Design ............................................................................................................ 6

Goals and Objectives .............................................................................................. 6

Data Collection in the field ..................................................................................... 6

4. Outcomes and Results ............................................................................................... 6

Radio Productions since last training ...................................................................... 7

New Radio Shows .................................................................................................. 8

Listeners Feedback ................................................................................................. 9

Observed changes since capacity building .............................................................. 9

Challenges faced implementing the Common Ground Approach .......................... 11

5. Radio’s Role in Promoting Accountability and Transparency ............................. 11

Highlighting the gaps ............................................................................................ 12

6. Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 13

Strengths .............................................................................................................. 13

Recommendations ................................................................................................ 14

7. Annex ....................................................................................................................... 15

Proposed Methodology ......................................................................................... 15

Interview Questionnaires ...................................................................................... 16

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1. Executive Summary

Since October 2010, SFCG has used an innovative top-down, bottom-up approach to support

the Government of National Unity in fulfilling its mandate and overcoming the political

differences that have divided Zanzibar for decades. Our strategy has involved: a) offering

high-level leadership development, coaching and training to members of the GNU and

political party leaders, drawing on experiences from our 26 country programs around the

world, including 17 in Africa; and b) working with Zanzibar media to seize the opportunity

presented by the creation of the GNU to promote good governance and social cohesion on a

large scale, encourage a frank discussion of differences aimed at finding concrete solutions,

and foster a spirit of tolerance.

The SFCG methodology in Zanzibar has focused on shifting mindsets and skill sets from a

competitive, partisan approach to the collaborative, constructive engagement that a unity

government requires. Strengthening the capacity of journalists to report and contribute to the

public debate SFCG has used a training methodology called Common Ground Journalism.

Since beginning, this innovative strategy has begun to yield results, as evinced by the below

findings. The goal of this case study is to analyse in depth the impact of capacity building

trainings on new emerging practices of Zanzibar radio stations. For this purpose, four radio

stations (two in Unguja Island and two in Pemba Island) were chosen to monitor and illustrate

the outcome and results of SFCG’s capacity building trainings.

The main key findings of this case study are summarized in the following points, to be

elaborated on in the coming pages:

New self-confidence of journalists when arranging and conducting interviews

New self-awareness of the journalist’s role in building an active civil society

Awareness and incorporation of journalistic standards such as balance, impartiality,

and investigative journalism

Awareness of the media’s role in promoting good governance and accountability

Journalists use a variety of sources and angles, usage of production plans and scripts

Pursuing transparency of the commissioners and the politicians: follow closely what

they are doing in their areas and what they promised to do

Partner radios have started to produce number of agreed SFCG radio productions

New radio shows established independently from SFCG’s partnership providing space

for citizens to express their problems, to facilitate the access to officials and to hold

them responsible by following up their promises during the elections

Journalists show initiative and eagerness to speak about issues and problems

previously ignored (while still encountering difficulties finding sources &

interviewing officials)

Knowledge from training has been passed on to colleagues in all four radio stations

regardless of competitive behaviour amongst journalists

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2. State of Media in Zanzibar

The initial assessment mission was conducted between October 9th and 20

th, 2010 to analyze

the media landscape and to determine the best approach to the media component scheduled

for immediately after the elections. The assessment found that radio is the most accessible

media: the potential for radio stations to reach out to a large audience across the country is

real. Eight radio stations broadcast 24 hours a day on the main island of Zanzibar, Unguja.

Three of these stations are also able to cover Dar Es-Salaam and Zanzibar’s second island

Pemba. The Zanzibar media assessment conducted in 2010 concluded that there were 23

operating radio stations which include STZ, Spice FM, Maria FM, Radio Al Noor, Zenj FM,

Hits FM, Coconut FM, Chuchu FM, Adhana FM, and the Micheweni Community Radio in

Pemba. 1 However, not all the radio stations were making positive contribution in terms of

informative programmes such as news, news analyses, current affairs and educational

programs. According to the assessment, radios, for the most part, were avoiding political

issues, while the general populace preferred music and cultural programming to questions of

politics and community issues. Most time on air was concentrated around broadcasting music,

talk show programs or call-in sessions that lack seriousness. Limitations in financial resources

hamper stations from attracting serious guest speakers to partake in their talk show

programmes.2

When interviewed in 2010, one radio manager testified that difficult working environment,

low wages, poor working equipment and unfriendly information laws disappoint and frustrate

many journalists, resulting in poor quality of media services in Zanzibar.3 There were hardly

any investigative stories done at any of the electronic media. A tendency was also observed in

the Zanzibar radio landscape to avoid contentious issues, treating them as taboo. This means

that certain societal issues and challenges such as corruption, drug trafficking and abuse of

power or mismanagement by public officials were never aired nor investigated by the

journalists. In 2010, the only active media organisations on the Isles were the Media Council

of Tanzania (MCT), the Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA) and the Pemba

Press Club. The rest, like Zanzibar Press Club (ZPC), Organisation for Development of

Young Journalists (ODEYJO), Journalist Association of Zanzibar (JAZ) and Zanzibar

Women Journalists Organisation (ZAMEO) had nothing concrete to show in terms of

activities/organised events during 2010. The Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) initiated

various discussions to push for the enactment of Freedom of Information Act aimed at

enabling the public to ask for and obtain information from the government domain. As of

today, the Newspapers Act of 1988 and the Broadcasting Act of 1997 have various sections,

which infringe on press freedom in Zanzibar and this concern has been raised at many fronts.

The provisions of the Zanzibar Broadcasting Act of 1997 are out of line with international

standards in a number of ways.4

1 Media Council of Tanzania MCT (2010), State of the Media Report 2 Media Council of Tanzania MCT (2010), State of the Media Report 3 Media Council of Tanzania MCT (2010), State of the Media Report 4 Media Council of Tanzania MCT (2010), State of the Media Report

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SFCG’s Media Intervention

After identifying the challenges existing in Zanzibar’s radio landscape, SFCG explored the

potential opportunities for collaboration with the personnel of the radio stations. In order to do

so, SFCG organized a seminar on October 19th 2010 with media representatives from several

radio stations entitled “How radio can contribute to strengthening peace and social harmony

after the elections.”

During this mission, SFCG identified five radio stations to engage with, based upon the size

and scope of their potential impact, and the subsequent training targeted 18 journalists from

these radio stations. Following the training, SFCG went on to sign Memorandum of

Understandings (MOUs) with five stations in Unguja Island: Sauti ya Tanzania in Zanzibar -

changed its name in 2012 to Zanzibar Broadcasting Cooperation (ZBC) - Al Noor, Zenji FM,

Radio HitsFM, and Radio Chuchu FM. In Pemba Island, the following two radio stations have

been identified as partners: ZBC in Pemba and Micheweni Community Radio.

SFCG Media activities in March and April 2012 were conducted in two distinct trainings: one

for the Island of Unguja and one for the Island of Pemba. Throughout these trainings, the

activities from the previous training were evaluated and reporting skills on governance issues

were reinforced. A variety of topics (see below) related to governance issues were identified

for future radio programming by all radio partners.

Here are the eight topics planned with all the participants of Unguja’s radio stations:

1) Increase in number of schools since the GNU is in function

2) Corruption in social services (such as health, water and sanitation, etc.)

3) The lack of teachers for scientific schools

4) Participation of communities in development activities in the province

5) Fighting against corruption

6) Exploitation of parking fees

7) Waste Tax in Zanzibar

8) Hard Work for children under 18

8 Topics planned for radio production with Micheweni + ZBC Pemba:

1) Access to water for the population in Pemba

2) Measures to protect cloves against illicit trade

3) Availability of electricity: promises &achievements

4) Improvement of science education sector

5) Problems of agricultural inputs

6) Cases of rape ( Respect the law)

7) Participation of the people after choosing representatives

8) Learning about rights and laws for the citizens

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3. Report Design

Goals and Objectives

The goal of this case study is to analyze the impact of radio capacity building on new

emerging practices of Zanzibar radio stations. This case study aims to monitor and

illustrate the contribution of four local radio stations in Unguja and Pemba in promoting

social change and good governance through using a new approach based on common ground

methodology.

Supporting objectives include:

1. To gather feedback on the training and its impact on the development of new

capacities of the participating journalists in four radio stations on both Unguja and

Pemba Island.

2. To document the changes in content and issues covered in the radio program before

and after the training.

3. To monitor the success of journalists participating in the training to provide its

listeners with a more diffused approach to news as well as access to impartial and

accurate information on good governance

4. To reveal any correlation between capacity building workshops and other program

SFCG has offered and an increase of capacity in terms of producing radio magazines

that promote transparency and accountability.

Data Collection in the field

This case study focused solely on the journalists who took part in the training, and the

managers of the radio stations chosen for the case study. This includes on Unguja Island: Hits

FM and ChuChu FM and on Pemba Island: Zanzibar Broadcasting Cooperation ZBC and

Micheweni Community Radio. The tools used for data collection were semi-structured

interviews varying in focus depending on journalists, radio station and radio managers.

4. Outcomes and Results

Although the case study sample was small and limited to 4 out of 7 radio stations in Zanzibar,

this report found that all journalists who participated in the training felt confident enough to

incorporate parts of the common ground approach into their daily work and daily radio

productions. Since the third training it has been accepted that the voice of people and

accountability are fundamental components of good governance and that the role of radios is

to express directly citizen voices and hold power institutions accountable.

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Especially, the journalists from Pemba Island illustrated throughout the interview the

importance of building an informed citizenry who know their rights and duties and can

demand good governance from their elected representatives. When comparing the radio topics

produced with the ones agreed upon in the last training (see page 5), it became obvious that

the two radio stations in Pemba, Micheweni and ZBC, were up to date with the number of

productions as well as the topics. While both ChuChu FM and HitsFM only agreed to 5 of the

8 topics, the journalists interviewed were not aware of the topics until they looked it up on the

training agenda. The following sub-sections will outline the findings and results in more detail

and depth.

Radio Productions since the last capacity building t rainings

One of the most important changes recorded during the data collection and mentioned by all

interviewees were the changes in content of the radio productions since the start of the

capacity building trainings in 2010. When asked about the reasons for sending journalists to

the training and partnering with SFCG, all radio managers answered that they wanted to

improve the quality of their own radio programs. All of them were aware of their members of

staff lacking certain skills and that there was certain need to grow on various levels. The radio

manager of ChuChu FM put it like this: “We want to grow, to go further, and not be based on

one place. To venture. We agreed with the theory of SFCG and we looked for points how we

can have a common ground with others, and with other radios.”

The below table provides a detailed overview of the number and topics of radio programs

produced and aired since the training in March/April 2012. It has to be emphasised that before

partnering with SFCG, the radio programs differed widely in content. The table shows the

numbers and topics of programs produced and aired, all of which were agreed upon during the

training.

Chuchu FM Hits FM Micheweni Radio ZBC

No. Of

Journalists at

training

6 2 5 4

No. of New

Productions

aired

3 3 6 6

Radio Topics

produced (discussed &

prepared during

SFCG media

training)

Good Governance Corruption

Parking Fees

Involvement of

Citizens Education – lack

of science students

within Secondary schools

Mobilization, Members of

Parliament,

Corruption

Agricultural

Improvement

Education Rape

Health

Clean Water

Representation of

Citizens,

Representation of

House of

Representatives,

Electric Power (2

productions),

Education, How much people

are aware of their

rights and the laws,

Rape

Agricultural

Reporting

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Programs in

Pipeline

2 2 2 2

TOTAL

Productions

5 5 8 8

New Radio Shows

Since the last training in March – April 2012 by SFCG, each interviewed radio station

managed to independently initiate new radio shows in addition to the radio productions agreed

to produce as part of SFCG partnership. The mostly entertainment radio ChuChu FM, for

example, started to produce a new show called “Yaliyojiri” (What Happened?). “A program

that deals with information from different areas. Topics included a program on

Environmentalism and Tourism in Zanzibar. How we can protect the environment and make

Zanzibar more attractive for tourists as Zanzibar depends on tourism.”

Hits FM started a new program called “Jimbo baada ya Jimbo” (Constituency after

Constituency) on social and political challenges: a number of talk shows with both citizens

and members of the National Unity Government. As one of the Hits Fm journalists stated:

“The training helped us with ideas of what to produce: Now I produce around topics of

accountability, corruption needs of village people and on problem of the country.” As the

example of last session of Jimba baada ya Jimbo in June 2012 illustrated, this new radio

program provides opportunities for people to call into the radio to present their daily

challenges. The program is designed to deal mostly with the promises made by the newly

elected members of the House of Representatives in each constituency and follows up on the

fulfillment of these promises according to the voters.

In Pemba Island, the Micheweni community radio produced a new show as part of their

partnership with SFCG, aired on Monday and Friday, called “Kipindi Malum” (Special

Programs) covering some of the following topics up to date: Representation of Citizens,

Representation of House of Representatives, Agricultural Improvement, Availability of Good

and Clean Water. Guests are invited from the government and NGOs and people are given a

chance to “ask the person in the studio – what they want to know from the guests. Some of the

guests: regional police commander, regional commissioner.” In addition, a special program

has been established, called “Siri Yako” (Your Secret), which aims to provide a space for

citizens to express problems and to facilitate the access to certain people they want to talk to.

Zanzibar Broadcasting Cooperation (ZBC) Pemba, a sublet of the official ZBC in Unguja,

introduced in its air time a new program called “Utu ya mtu” (Dignity) which is aired every

Wednesday talking about people’s dignity and challenges. ZBC’s radio manager elaborated

further on the new programs: “We give special air time to understanding what is going on in

the Island i.e. inviting famous people, politicians, leaders, MPs, regional police commanders

to answer directly the questions people have. People can call into the studio and talk directly

to official representatives.”

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As part of the new awareness on accountability in terms of good governance, ZBC Pemba as

well as Micheweni community radio have started to organize monthly radio reports with the

regional commissioner who joins the journalists in the radio to answer the questions of

listeners directly informing the citizens on what has been happening. In the new radio shows

that have been established in all four radio stations, listeners now can call in and talk directly

to officials and representatives. Most importantly, the journalists who previously felt insecure

in terms of conducting interviews developed the capacities and skills to feel confident enough

to incorporate some of the new Common Ground approaches in their work.

“After the training on talk shows for journalists and presenters, they were taught on

how to interview somebody. After the listening to our programs and receiving the

feedback of the Media Trainer, we knew the flaws of our programs and what needs to be

improved and so we were able to put in practice what we have been taught.” – ChuChu

FM Radio Manager

Listeners Feedback

The following answers, related to the feedback of listeners, have all been collected from radio

staff only and thus, have not been verified by transcripts or listening samples. Only positive

feedback has been mentioned. Hits FM Radio Manager emphasised that “People use the

function to call in when there are guests in the studio. They comment and tell their stories and

on what have been promised to them. Feedback includes comments such as “Please keep it

up” or “Good program” – each Sunday we have a team meeting and we discuss about the

feedback we received and what needs to be changed and what needs to be included.”

A similar comment came from the ZBC journalist on Pemba Island who re-assured that

“People like new programs very much because what they get is a new kind of interviewing.

We have 20 minutes of program and then the listeners can call into the studio with their

phones to comment on the program and contribute ideas and suggestions they have. Before

the training we only had interview programs, from start to end only interviews – now we

changed for a more interactive program where people can interact and contribute.”

Observed changes since capacity building

Journalists in Zanzibar do not typically seek interviews with ordinary citizens or authorities

nor do they usually create a work plan for topic presentation. In Zanzibar, reporters are trained

to observe, listen, and report, while only occasionally questioning an official’s report and

rarely doing so in public. Some journalists theoretically knew how to create a magazine but

did not have practical experience doing so. According to the feedback given by SFCG’s

Media Trainer in March 2012, it was difficult for most journalists to frame a story angle and

to stay on topic.

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As mentioned above, there exists a tendency in the Zanzibar radio landscape to avoid

contentious issues or investigations into topics that have been characterized as sensitive or

taboo by society. The following quotes and extracts from the interviews demonstrate the

extent to which certain journalists have changed since the training. ChuChu FM’s radio

manager summarized: “They are now bold enough/confident enough to meet the Zanzibari

Vice-President for example. They are able to get new views and points of unity and non-unity

party and they can go beyond their normal working areas.” However, not only the newly

acquired interviewing skills were mentioned when asked about how they manage to

incorporate the Common Ground Approach in their daily work

“I received new views and new things. I am working on them now after the training and

the production we did there together. I use the interview skills I gained during the

training. I include music, sounds and jingles to make the program more attractive for

the listeners.” – Issa Abdullah Rachman, ChuChu FM Journalist

In Hits FM as well as in Micheweni and ZBC Pemba, the participating journalists stated that

they started to use production plans for their work:

“I have new ideas to ask people, know how to prepare questions, I ask myself “What is

my target in this program” – how can I plan and prepare my material.” – Jacob

Joseph, Hits FM Journalist

“Before the training, we did unprofessional programming and after the training, we

knew how to prepare a program, how to plan for sources and how to contain various

sources in the program.” – Juma Musa Juma, Micheweni Journalist

“Before the training we used to have 2 participants in one program, now we use 5. We

all ask them the same questions according to our script prepared before and we give

everyone the chance to answer.” – Ali Haji, ZBC Journalist

A further change noticed is that some of the radio stations (amongst them Hits FM and

Micheweni Community Radio) are now pursuing transparency of the commissioners and the

politicians. They follow closely what they are doing in their areas and what they promised to

do. In Micheweni, the journalists now go to the village to ask about problems and the

challenges to development: “Before the training we had no power to do this. Now we go

directly to the people and the officials and ask the questions that people have and what people

want to know.” - Juma Musa Juma

A further impression of change that occurred during the data collection was that all of the

journalists interviewed used in one way or another, the word “balance” to describe how the

incorporated a Common Ground Approach. At Pemba Island, one of the ZBC journalists even

used “investigative journalism” to describe his new working style: “We produce Investigate

programs on why and how students failed their exams in so many subjects...We now review

together our work, factors and problems and the quality of our productions. We know

beforehand what we want to do and then arrange talks.” – Ali Haji

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It has to be noted here that this information has not been verified by an analysis of the

Kiswahili transcripts of the radio programs produced. However, the SFCG Zanzibar office has

started to translate all radio productions of the seven partner radios and verifying program

analysis including feedback on journalistic standards, interview skills and topics discussed.

Challenges faced by implementing a Common Ground app roach

The assessment found that Zanzibar radio stations experience several common challenges that

could undermine their potential role as agents of change. One prevalent key challenge

identified related to the concept of “sources of information”. A journalist from ZBC radio in

Pemba described this even as a culture of secrecy prevalent on the Island:

“Important sources keep the information for themselves. We need facts and figures for

our new programs but no one gives you information. We have a problem of collecting

information. People in charge are afraid that we will use their information to question

their actions and give them an unfair conduct. So they refuse the interviews in the first

place. But the public has a right to know.”

Almost all journalists agreed that it is hard to get information from the government unless you

know someone or you have a family member working there. Another challenge is the political

factors that constrain the media sector (see state of the media page 4). Apart from Micheweni

Community Radio, who did not mention any factors constraining its production, the other

three radios shared incidents in which they were threatened to air certain things.

5. Role of Radio in promoting accountability and transparency

While the training ensured that a core group of professional journalists acquired new skills in

news production and learn about how to follow ethical standards, it is equally important to

build an independent media sector that is critically aware of its own role in supporting good

governance.

Four radio stations used similar wording “to educate society, to give advice, to provide and

give news to society” to express their role in building an active civil society. ZBC Pemba, for

example, saw its role in producing new radio programs with diversity of sources and to give

special air time to understanding what is going on in the Island.

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Hits FM phrased it as responsibility “to follow up what people and leaders do in the country.”

For ChuChu FM this includes promoting good governance by following every single step the

official leaders take to see whether they follow up on their promises or not. As one of the

journalists summarized:

“My role as a journalist is to bring fairness, balance and confidence into civil

society. To promote good governance by presenting ideas for progress so society

has a chance to grow.”

Highlighting the gaps

From the answers above, it has become clear that especially the radio stations see their role in

educating the public, in raising awareness and in providing them with news and information.

None of the radios, however, mentioned that the radio should also serve as a watchdog for

public interest, to hold the powerful state and non-state interests accountable. It seems that at

this stage, the media in Zanzibar is very pre-occupied with the formation of an informed

citizenry that can later on demand good governance from its institutions. However, none of

the radio stations saw their role in helping the government become more effective and

responsive by providing them with a clear picture of citizen needs and desires.

As already mentioned above, a major lack in the training has been the follow-up. This point

has been accentuated by all journalists as they want to receive continuous listening feedback

from SFCG on the programs aired under the MOU to hear how to improve their own capacity

to produce qualitative high programs. Most of the SFCG capacity building is focused on the

radio journalists, there exists an apparent gap between the journalists’ understanding of their

role in SFCG partnership and the needs expressed by the radio managers. While the

journalists know how to do adequate interviews, how to write an expressive script, how to get

and use testimonies to cover a story, 3 out of 4 radio managers were not aware of what topics

were produced, at what times they were aired and what the philosophy and standards of SFCG

include. Throughout the interviews, it has been observed that while all journalists asked for

further training, the radio managers asked for equipment, money and new recording studios.

The eagerness of self-initiatives encountered while interviewing the journalists was not found

on the manager level.

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6. Conclusion

This report has managed to draw the following conclusions from the gathered data: All four

radio stations require further support and feedback on their productions and on their

journalistic approaches. There is an urgent need for more training on developing tools for

good radio programs. In general, there was an eagerness from all sides to improve the work,

to get to know the other radio journalists and to exchange ideas. All radio journalists

mentioned the need for further training in the future, particularly on good governance and

how to address a lack of sources.

When looking at the gaps found, there exists further need of training particularly for radio

managers to start their own initiatives to improve the quality of their radio programs. This

would also include talking about their role in building civil society and in promoting

accountability and transparency through their radio stations. While high editorial standards

and journalistic deontology are crucial, they cannot function without a well-managed

organisation behind them. In the long run, the radio stations cannot thrive without a

comprehensive web of legislation and regulation that enables a free flow of information. This

is reinforced by a media-literate public and civil society organisations (including media

associations) that support an independent media and hold governments accountable.

Strengths

Support productions that deal with governance issues while simultaneously training

local journalists: results not merely in content change but lasting skill development on

the part of those who have worked on the production.

Self-Awareness of role of journalists: All journalists and radio managers are aware of

their role in society as media producers and more importantly, their role in promoting

accountability and transparency in regards to the Government of National Unity.

Increased Balance of radio productions: use of more sources from a variety of

backgrounds relevant to the topic.

Established micro-grants to promote local production: helps develop their own ideas

for programming while at the same time practicing newly acquired skills.

Transfer of knowledge – Ensured sustainability: journalists who participated in

training passed their knowledge and lessons learnt to their colleagues in all four radio

stations.

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Recommendations

Future training on role of radios in supporting the government: support GNU to

become more effective and responsive by providing them with a clear picture of

citizen needs and desires.

Training on monitoring quality of radio programs: For both journalists and radio

program managers in particular, to be aware of how to monitor and evaluate their own

productions, establishing critical-reflections within the stations.

Encourage radio managers to take own initiatives: Radio Managers rely entirely on

training being offered and NGOs approaching them – although they know that their

staff needs further technical training or improved equipment, there is no initiative

taken by them to secure funds or advertise in order to gain more money for the station.

Train government officials on how to respond to journalists: As a way to ensure that

the government understands the proper way to handle journalists; and to provide the

journalists with easier access to sources.

Support media industry groups to encourage professionalization and freedom of

speech: it is important for radio managers to network, exchange ideas, explore

business opportunities, and, if necessary, form a common front to defend freedom of

expression.

Work with citizen journalism groups to encourage high standards: to encourage

diversity of opinions and vibrancy in the radio stations and to encourage citizens to

participate and understand media production – to avoid shyness of people speaking up

about the issues affecting their lives.

Idea to set up national-level prizes for radio productions: a prize (linked to training

courses) could motivate journalists of the radio stations to produce examples of good

reporting.

Idea for an inter/exchange between stations: on a regional, national or international

level to be exposed to further training and get motivated to implement best practices

seen during the exchange into their own stations upon return.

To encourage radios to collect feedback on what the citizen are learning from radio

programs

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7. Annex

Proposed Methodology

Methodology

Goal of Study: The goal of this study is to analyze the impact of radio capacity building on new

emerging practices of Zanzibar radio stations. This case study aims to monitor and illustrate the

contribution of four local radio stations in Unguja and Pemba in promoting social change and good

governance through using a new approach based on common ground methodology.

Objectives:

1. To gather feedback on the training and its impact on the development of new capacities of the

participating journalists in four radio stations on both Unguja and Pemba Island.

2. To document the changes in content and issues covered in the radio program before and after

the training.

3. To monitor the success of journalists participating in the training to provide its listeners with

a more diffused approach to news as well as access to impartial and accurate information on

good governance

4. To reveal any correlation between trainings, capacity building workshops and other program

SFCG has offered and an increase of capacity in terms of producing radio magazines that

promote transparency and accountability.

Key Research Questions:

1. What was the situation like at the radio stations before the SFCG‘s capacity building? What

has changed since then?

2. What are the issues related to Good governance that have been addressed in Pemba and Unguja since the training?

3. What role can the radio stations play in fostering public debate and dialogue?

4. To what extent can the radios in Zanzibar help increase public demands for transparency and

accountability?

5. How do journalists see their role in contributing to change in civil society?

6. To what extent, have the capacities of journalists participating in the training changed since?

7. To what extent, are the listeners benefitting from the new content and issues broadcasted? Have they received feedback from the listeners on the new formats/programs?

Target Population: This case study aims to focus on the journalists who were taking part in the

training, and the managers of the radio stations (in particular Hits FM, and Chuchu FM in Unguja as

well as Micheweni and Zauti Tanzania Pemba in Pemba).

Tools to be used: Tools will include content analysis of the radio programmes aired, interviews with

radio staff/radio managers, transcripts of feedbacks from listeners, transcripts of the radio programs

aired (number and quality of resources).

Analytical framework: Touching upon questions of sustainability, the framework of this analytical

case study will be based upon impact evaluation theories.

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Questionnaires

Interview Questions For Journalists

1) Have you participated in SFCG training?

a. When did the training take place?

b. Can you describe what you learned from the training?

2) What topics did you cover during your radio programmes before the training? What are the

most common themes in your radio programs?

4) What topics do you cover now? In your opinion, have there been any major changes?

5) To what extent have you been able to incorporate some of the common ground

methodology and strategies to your every day work? Could you give me an example of how?

6) Could you tell me a bit more about the radio programs you produced, supported by SFCG?

a) What were the topics?

b) What did you as a journalist focus on during the production of these programs?

c) What was the feedback to these radio programs?

7) Were there any initiatives taken by you or your colleagues to pass on your acquired

knowledge from the training to others?

a) If so, what were they?

b) If not, what were some of the barriers that prevented you from sharing the

information?

8) What are the main challenges you and your colleagues are facing by implementing a

Common Ground approach?

9) To what extent do you see yourself as having a role in building civil society? How? What

topics interest you the most?

10) In your opinion, what are some ways in which the radio can play a role in promoting

transparency and accountability?

11) What role does the radio play in fostering debate? Have there been any major changes in

the last 6 months? Can you describe to me those changes?

12) What areas do you need further support?

13) What would be needed for you and your colleagues to continue the attention to

accountability and good governance in your productions?

17

Interview Questions for Radio Manager

1) Why did you partner with SFCG and sent your journalists to the training?

2) What kind of capacity building did you receive from SFCG? What has changed in the

radio station since the trainings? – Development of new radio programmes, new topic

covered critical viewpoints etc? (i.e.Jimba baada ya Jimbo)

3) Could you tell me a bit more about the radio programs you produced as part of the

MoU?

4) What topics did you discuss in the last session of Jimba baada ya Jimbo?

5) How did the listeners react to the new programs? Has there been any feedback?

6) What are the main differences impact-wise between Search for Common Ground’s

program and the productions of BBC Media Action’s Haba Na Haba at Hits FM?

7) How did you ensure that the participating journalists kept up the journalistic values

and new coverage strategies discussed during the trainings?

8) What are the main challenges your radio station is facing by using the Common

Ground approach/technique?

9) Does the radio station play a role in fostering public debate and dialogue? Has

anything changed since the training?

10) How do you help increase public demands for transparency and accountability? What

has changed since the training?

11) What political factors still constrain the media sector?

12) What would be needed to further the started processes of raising attention to

accountability and good governance?