News

Community radio Biso na Biso is broadcasting live!

March 31 2009: TFT is proud to announce that Radio Biso na Biso is finally broadcasting through the airwaves from Pokola, Congo Brazzaville!  With the station built, state of the art broadcasting equipment in, a 70 meter pylon erected, solar panels installed, wind up radios distributed to people living in forest...the people living throughout the forest area of Congolaise Industrielle des Bois (CIB) concessions will finally have access to a new form of communication. 

The project has been in development for many years, so with test emissions sent out over the past few weeks and regular broadcasts scheduled to commence next week, TFT is very excited to share this news!  The project is a collaborative effort between TFT, CIB, and partners with additional financial support from the Foundation Chirac and World Bank Development Marketplace.  Radio Biso na Biso is managed locally by TFT staff and local volunteers.
"Radio Biso na Biso has the advantage to be transmitting in an environment dominated by oral traditions but where means of transportation are still a luxury," commented Francis Wabout and Privat Massanga, Biso na Biso Co-Directors.  "Many hopes are placed on this radio by a population divided by the lack of communication.   This radio needs to join them and bring the population to thrive."

recording

The intent of Biso na Biso is to help bridge the communications gap between forest people living throughout the forest area, and the forest company CIB, which manages the forest area.  The radio supports the sharing of local languages, cultural diversity and education.

Since September 2008, the radio's two full-time staff Francis Wabout and Privat Massanga have been collecting sound bites and recordings from the local communities. Content collected and produced by local communities includes stories, reports, portraits, educational programmes on health and hygiene, AIDS awareness, environmental issues, natural resource management and local music promotion.

Three ‘trainee' broadcasters were appointed formally in February and have been trained in the theory and practice of running the radio. They will also play an instrumental role in visiting the forest areas, and interacting with people to gather radio content. 

A lot has already been achieved which shows the passion and interest this radio has already stirred; including Nobel peace prize winner Mrs Wangari Maatai who paid the radio a visit in November 2008.  Every day Biso na Biso receives guests and visitors, both local and international, to the radio station.  Stay tuned to the TFT website and TFT podcasts to hear some of the emissions, or in the forests of northern Congo, tune into 88FM. 

The original newsletter in French produced by the Biso na Biso staff with pictures can be downloaded here. [PDF]