Role of Community Radio Stations in the Fight with COVID 19

By James Achanyi-Fontem, camlinknews 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 in Cameroon. During this period, people are using different information and communication technologies (ICTs) for giving and receiving information, and for education on many aspects. People are also using YouTube, social media such as WhatsApp, 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 local languages. It is the radio by the people for the people. In Cameroon, half the population lives in rural areas and the majority of people are poor . It is often 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 COVID 19. During this time, community radio plays a very important role in broadcasting information on Corona. Presently, over 100 community radio stations 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 COVID 19 1. University community radio stations in Buea, Douala, Yaoundé, Ngaounder and Bafoussam are our focus in thi article. They are broadcasting programmes like "Break the Fake News Chain" to make the community aware about COVID 19. 2. These community 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 Civil Society Organisations (CSO)and nNon-governmental organizations (NGOs), appeals on understanding facts and the importance of fighting misinformation, and community testimonies. 3. The radio stations are running programmes with titles in various national languages and English and French to reach all target groups within their communities. Broadcasters use different stories from the communities as testimonies to convey messages related to coronavirus. They also broadcast programmes on importance of social distancing, sanitizing, handwashing, etc. 4. Some of the radio stations are providing online information to the community; though these stations are operate with minimum staff. After live broadcasts, they shift all programmes to digital mode. Listeners are encouraged to develop 5-minute audio and upload them to YouTube and Facebook, while authorities also take follow-up measures on digital platforms.

5. Most of the stations broadcast information received from the health district collectors, chief medical officers, and other government authorities, including entitlements of extended schemes. These stations broadcast the programme "24 / 24" to permit those who missed the broadcasts in the day to receive them at night time. Some of the programmes feature 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. FRI Canada provides information on the coronavirus outbreak through scripts which are discussed with 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. There are also broadcasts on timings and locations of weekly markets days , adhering to rules on safe distance, and the status of local ATMs in local language. This radio stations work as fact checkers in the lockdown situation. The stations are playing a very important role in educating people about the outbreak of COVID-19. 7. Most community radio stations provide a voice to underprivileged groups of societyand 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.