Lao PDR

UNDP News

22 October 2007

Laos ' first community radio station goes to air

Monday 22 October, Xieng Khouang- Lao PDR's first station run by, and for, the community was launched officially by the Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, Madame Bounpheng Mounphoxay . The station is based in rural Khoun District, Xieng Khouang Province , one of the country's 47 poorest districts. Much of the mountainous area has limited access to information due to poor road access, illiteracy, ethnic language barriers and poor radio and TV reception. Information that does reach the area via traditional media does not always reflect the community's needs.

The station is staffed by volunteers from every section of the local community: farmers, civil servants, ethnic groups, school students, Women's and Youth Unions, disabled people, etc. It is headed by a station manager appointed by the district governor and has an inclusive advisory board to provide guidance and longer-term vision to the station. Khoun Community Radio broadcasts in the district's three local languages, Hmong, Khamuu and Lao Lum, to ensure information broadcast by the station is understood by all and linguistic traditions are maintained.

Khoun Community Radio has been established with support from the Ministry of Information and Culture (MIC), UNDP and UNESCO. Development organisations, relevant government bodies and other interested groups will have the chance to develop programmes in cooperation with the community to broadcast information tailored to communities' needs on a variety of topics. For example:

•  Agricultural production;
•  bank loans to establish small businesses;
•  Market prices;
•  UXO awareness;
•  Improving nutrition and health.

Khoun Community Radio is able to reach many of the district's villages that other radio stations, both Lao and foreign, are unable to reach and where other sources of information, for example newspapers and TV, are unavailable.

Community radio allows people in remote rural areas to hear local news, practical information, and the views of people in their community. And by giving people a voce and encouraging community participation, it also promotes exchange of ideas, and community involvement in policy and decision making.

Khoun Community Radio for Development stands for all that this radio project is about: the development of Khoun district with the active involvement of all groups of the community. The radio provides a forum for the discussion of topics such as health, education, agriculture, youth, women and traditions to seek solutions to the challenges of life.