Central Africa COVID 19 Emergency Fund Project

CAMLINK FM Radio Network Report of Activities

By James Achanyi Fontem, camlinknews Role of Community Radio Stations in the Fight with Corona During lockdowns ordered as part of COVID-19 prevention, people are advised to remain at home. "Stay home and stay safe" is a very famous tagline in these days. During this period, people are using different ICTs [information and communication technologies] for giving and receiving information, and for education on many aspects. People are using YouTube, social media such as WhatsApp, https://camlinknews.blogspot.com, and many other sources on the internet. Community radio is a local and participatory medium of communication that provides information to the rural community in official and local languages. In Cameroon , half of the population lives in rural areas. The majority of people are poor in Cameroon. It is very difficult for them to access the internet. In this situation, community radio - a local and participatory type of radio - plays a very important role in disseminating information among the rural community. Rural people want valid and reliable information on Corona. During this time, community radio plays a very important role in broadcasting information on Corona. Presently, over 100 community radios are operational in Cameroon. They broadcast different programmes on different issues, including what protections to take to protect oneself from Corona, such as social distancing information.

Community radio programmes on Corona: 1. University community radio in Buea, Douala and Bamenda: These radio stations are broadcasting programmes like "Break the Fake News Chain" to make the community aware about Corona. 2. Thesecommunity radio stations are broadcasting programmes on health - with a special focus on mental health, ways to deal with alcohol withdrawal, spotlights on various initiatives by individuals and NGOs [non-governmental organisations] like Cameroon Link, appeals on understanding facts and the importance of fighting misinformation, and community testimonies. 3. Cameroon Link Community Radio FM Network is running a programme called "Block corona virus", where different stories from different groups are being used to convey messages related to coronavirus. They also broadcast a programme on importance of social distancing, hygiene andsanitattion, handwashing, etc. 4. Cameroon Link Community Radio FM Network is providing online information to the community, though this station is operated by minimum staff. This radio station shifted all programmes to digital mode. Listeners are to be encouraged to develop 5-minute audio and uploaded it to YouTube and Facebook. Authorities also taking follow-up measures on digital Platform. 5. Cameroon Link Community Radio FM Network : Operating in Grand Hangard – Bonaberi, Douala neighbourhood , broadcasts information received from the district health services, chief medical officers, and other government authorities, including entitlements of extended schemes. This station broadcasts the programme "7 on 7 get in", which features messages from an expert along with a thematic poem on frequent handwashing, access to healthcare services, physical distancing, importance of sports, and time for self-learning on a daily basis to spread positivity in people. We provide information on the coronavirus outbreak through discussions and folk songs. Some sessions are live and some are interactive. In the period of lockdown, visits to each and every village are not possible. In this case, community radio and information through the digital mode is very important to make the community aware of different issues. 6. Cameroon Link Community Radio FM Network broadcasts and share programmes on timings and locations of weekly markets, adhering to rules on safe distance, and the status of local ATMs in local languages like Douala, Nweh, Bameleki, Ewondo, Hausa and Pidgin English. This radio station works as a fact checker in the lockdown situation. The station is playing a very important role in educating people about the outbreak of COVID-19. 7. Cameroon Link Community Radio FM Network provides a voice to underprivileged groups of society, shares information about the pandemic. Thus, we can say that community radio plays a very important role in dissemination of need-based information among the rural community. As with all of the blogs posted on our website, the content above does not imply the endorsement of The CI or its Partners and is from the perspective of the writer and contributions from Farm Radio International Canada. COVID-19: Best Strategies - What Are We Learning?: Cameroon Link Community Radio FM Network, Lake site FM Kumba, Achenadia FM Radio Bomono, Rock Pilote FM Radio Sodiko an Farm Radio International Canada contributed to this work which we are sharing with you. In addition to the question asked above, Cameroon Link has more questions and wait for your responses to assist us in our work. Here are the questions:WHAT ARE WE LEARNING?

COVID-19 poses some serious challenges for all who use information and engagement strategies to pursue their goals. So, what are we learning about what works best? Some starter questions could include: Which strategies seem to work? Which new strategies do we need to adopt? Which present strategies do we need to adapt? What research is urgently required? What are the main challenges on which you would welcome suggestions and other input? What works for policy engagement on the overall country and global strategies that are being developed? Other learning? Whether you are working through community engagement, social change, entertainment-education, behavioural science and change, media development, freedom of expression, public interest media, social marketing, campaigns, message development, social media, social networks, social movement or any other strand of an information and engagement strategy ... ... please share what you are learning in support of the work of others. To contribute either click on https://camlinknews.blogspot.com access any article and enter your comment at the end of the article you read or youtube you listened to. You can also reply to these reports by email to camlink99@gmail.com Thanks for engaging to share your learning in support of the work of others - camlinknews We invite you to the Commonwealth of Learning The COVID-19 Communication and Community Engagement HUB - the Network for Shared Knowledge and Active Dialogue in Support of Effective COVID-19 Action You will have information on the following issues: Combating Rumours and Misinformation The Communication Initiative Please support and encourage people in your networks to join The Cameroon Link FM Radio network at this link – https://camlinknews.blogspot.com