Memoire Online - Contribution of community radios in rural areas development case study of Habwa Ijambo? program aired at RC Huye

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for Bachelor's Degree in Communication.

DEDICATION

My lovely parents, brothers and sisters, I am very grateful for their faith, daily moral and financial support in my educations, I appreciate the fantastic encouragement which helped me triumph over all difficulties in counted during my research.

DECLARATION

I, Magnifique MIGISHA, a student at National University of Rwanda, School of Journalism and Communication, hereby declare that this dissertation entitled «CONTRIBUTION OF COMMUNITY RADIOS IN RURAL AREAS DEVELOPMENT; Case Study of «Habwa Ijambo»program aired at RC Huye,» is my own work and it has not been submitted anywhere for any academic award or publication. However, authors and researchers whose work was referenced to, are acknowledged as indicated in the biography.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The success of this project cannot only be attributed to us. Too much proceeded towards the completion of this work.

I owe a debt of gratitude to the National University of Rwanda, to the School of Journalism and Communication, the lectures and staff for their guidance and the intellectual package they provided me.

I express my sincere thanks to my supervisor First of all, Mr. Dominique NDUHURA, for his efforts, suggestions and critics and guiding the present work. The current achievement would not be noticeable without his advices and recommendations.

Special gratitude is concentrated on my parents for their parental love and daily support in my educations, I appreciate the fantastic moral and financial support provided from them which helped me a lot me to attain this level.

I am very grateful for their faith and encouragement which helped me triumph over all difficulties in counted during my research. My beloved brothers and sisters for their love and encouragement, I would not complete my degree without their continuous moral support.

My gratitude also goes to all lecturers of the School of Journalism and Communication for guidance during my university studies, also special thanks goes to all my classmates of the School of Journalism and Communication; your valuable friendship have embellished the years that I have spent at NUR.

ABREVIATION AND ACRONYMS

ABSTRACT

The present research is about the Contribution of community radios in rural areas development. For this study it gives the whole outlook of a community radio's social-economic program, callled «Habwa Ijambo» in uplifting population from poverty. In this current research, it deals with different issues regarding population's daily life.

In fact, community radios played an immense role because it transmits messages which inspire local residents to adopt modern ways of boosting production in different sectors such as agricultural and livestock for the reason that those farmers they learn from others what they did. In this research; while analysing data from the field, I noticed that population of the same category influence each other.

According to the research, people appreciate the contribution of this program on the social and economic part, because they believe it tackles issues they face in their daily works and its focus on rural areas.

To get to the results in this research, I used qualitative data analysis where respondents express themselves. Data interpetation shows that population need this program to be aired many times in a week. And another problem is that the producer has not an appropriate way to receive feedback from the audience.

As recommendation, the producer has to do more research on a topic before going to the field to collect views from the local population. The radio station should also put in place an appropriate way to receive feedback from the audience.

CHAP 0: GENERAL INTRODUCTION

After the liberalization of the media sector in Rwanda, by the establishment of law N° 18/2002, there has been unprecedented mushrooming of media outlets, both print and broadcast sections. And today, the Media High Council continues to witness a considerable growth number of media outlets, which differs in editorial lines and policies. This portend a national effort in encouraging a diversified media sector and freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda (HMC report, 2008).

This study seeks to study/critically assess the role of community radios and how they help audience in rural to develop themselves. To assess this, I chose to take a case study of one program aired at Huye community radio (RC Huye) called `Habwa Ijambo' it has helped me to discover the impact of those radios in uplifting population from poverty.

0. I. Background to the study

The power of community radio is to mobilize groups and bring change to societies^1(*). Community radio is generally the best tool for getting information to illiterate and poor communities, as it requires neither reading skills nor money to buy newspapers.

Since in many countries most media are concentrated in capital cities and heavily populated areas, and even national media fail to reach remote areas, community radio provides the opportunity of «reaching powerless communities and giving them a voice.»

Even in areas where national media broadcast, the impact of a community radio broadcasting in a local language or languages is incomparable, an implementer observed.

Over the past several decades, radio has been the medium used most extensively in developing societies in rural areas means of providing Information and education to diverse target groups (e.g., farmers, rural mothers. illiterates, primary school children) in formal and non formal education, agriculture, health, family planning, community development and nutrition.

As a result, radio is by far the dominant mass medium in Africa. There is one radio receiver for every five people (compared with one telephone for every 100 people)^2(*).

Since 2003 Rwanda has adopted a policy of adopting many media houses, including some community. Since these community radios started broadcasting around the country, they had great impact on the rural development around the country, because of their aired programs regarding health, social, economic and good governance.

RC Huye, is the Huye community radio that started in July 2003, it has a program called `Habwa Ijambo' literary means in English «The flow is yours.» The program is dedicated to the population, where they are free to speak everything related to their everyday's life including development related issues (economic and social).

Radio is used in most rural areas as an effective tool for creating awareness and promoting consciousness in development areas. It also the most ideal mass medium available to reach vast segments of the population in developing societies.

This study examines the real impact in developing the rural areas, especially in the economic and social behaviour change side. The researcher want to see also the application of radio in rural development by community radios in Rwanda, but our targeted program remains `Habwa Ijambo' program aired at RC Huye.

The main purpose of this research is to know how population targeted by the `Habwa Ijambo' program aired at RC Huye perceives it, and it also aims to examine if there is any impact in their economic or social status. In this research, I want to see the role of population in the production of the program.

0.2. Statement of the problem

Despite the increase in numbers, many private media outlets still lack the quality of content, this makes the except for a handful, most of the private radios concentrate on music, sports shows, religious preaching, paid up and direct call-in programs mostly for the youth. They rarely have brainstorming political economic programs discussing government policies or current affairs. Also save for the community radios which are based in the rural areas and radio Rwanda whose coverage is more than 95% of the entire country, and most of the other private radio stations are urban based and rarely report events in rural areas (MHC report, 2008).

Some argue that community radios especially programs aired on those radios are not targeting their beneficiaries' especially rural communities; and there is another problem whereby a rural citizen does not play a big role in the program's realisation, and my hypothesis is that community radios are playing significant roles in the development of rural areas.

0.3. Objectives

The general objective of this study is to evaluate how rural areas audience are developing themselves from the knowledge they learnt from community radios' program, especially RC Huye in its `Habwa Ijambo' program.

- To evaluate the role of `Habwa Ijambo' program in developing rural areas economically and socially.

- To portray recommendations to other community radios around the country in reshaping their programs in order to develop rural areas.

0.4. Research questions

- What is the significance of the program in developing rural areas on the economic and social sides?

- What should be done by media practitioners and government to satisfy population in terms of information which can carry them to the development?

0.5. Significance of the study

This study will scientifically contribute in the field of communication and journalism; because since 2003 around the country many community radios have been established. Then this research will give some tips of how a community radio or a radio program can contribute to the rural development mainly in economic and social sector. The benefits of this research will reach media houses managers and media policy makers in the country.

To shape a program's outline on the benefits of the audience will also help media houses to build their credibility and confidence towards their audiences, which will also increase awareness on developmental issues where communication for development will be a central role in the country's economic growth and social change.

0.7. Methodology

0.7.1. Research design

Social research needs a design or a structure before data collection or analysis can start. A research design is not just a work plan. A work plan details what has to be done to complete the project; a research design is to ensure that the evidence obtained enables us to answer the initial question as unambiguously as possible. I used mainly the qualitative method to analyse data.

0.7.2.The study population

The Study Population is the population from Huye district in Rwaniro sector, and all are the audience group of RC Huye.

0.7.3.Sample Design and Size

Population and sample size of the study: Population in that sector are from rural area, the total respondents are 30.

This means that I used the sampling technique which is purposive in that sector I interacted with group of people who regularly listen to RC Huye especially who frequently give their views to the radio station, they are called «RC Huye Ambassadors» in their respective villages.

I measure if there's any change in their everyday's life economically and socially through basing on how they live before starting hearing the program. Sampling technique: I choose respondents regarding the time they listen to the radio.

In this research, I had met people and I had a focus group where it will be a discussion about the real impact of the program to their everyday's life.

0.7.4.Data collection instruments

Interviewing (An interview is a data-collection technique that involves oral questioning of respondents, either individually or as a group), Observing (observation is a technique that involves systematically selecting, watching and recording behaviour and characteristics of living beings, objects or phenomena), and Using available information (usually there is a large amount of data that has already been collected by others, although it may not necessarily have been analysed or published. Locating these sources and retrieving the information is a good starting point in any data collection effort).

It becomes clear when a researcher use different data collection techniques because they can complement each other. A skilful use of a combination of different techniques can reduce the chance of bias and will give a more comprehensive understanding of the topic under study.

While collecting data, I used a focus group discussion, and this group contributes more in data gathering.

0.8. Scope of the study

This study is limited to the period between March 2010 and March 2011, mainly because it is where this program was regularly aired twice a week, and the RC Huye transmitter's capacity expanded in that time. And then as a researcher, I want to take the respondents in Rwaniro sector located in Huye district.

0.9. Organization of the study

- Chapter Zero is the introduction of the study, and that is where we find the study's background, the statement of the problem, the objectives and significance of the study, as well as the hypotheses, scope and the organisation of the study.

- Chapter One will tackle the theoretical framework and literature review regarding the topic.

- Chapter Two will discuss the methodological approaches used in the study, and will give details of techniques used while collecting data.

- Chapter Four will include conclusions and recommendations drawn from the research.

0.9.1. Limitations

This study explores mainly the impact of `Habwa Ijambo' program in improving rural population's life. It was limited itself to the information given by informants and information found in consulted documents.

Another issue which was dealt with is what can be done to improve the role of population in contributing to program's topic, and what are the needs of population.

I.9.1. Ethical considerations

All the rights of respondents will be respected. I explained them about the research and its objectives. Kinyarwanda language was mainly used during interviews. All respondents will be orally thanked.

CHAPTER ONE: LITERATURE REVIEW

I.1. Introduction

This chapter explores the theorical framework of the study. Apart from clearing up key concepts found in this study, the section explores and talks about the contribution of community radios in uplifting communities in poverty. And the chapter tackle the issue of the relationship between community radios and rural development.

In general this chapter reviews what scientist, scholars of journalism said about the impact of community radios in rural development.

The literature here is basically from books, newspapers, journals, magazines, international agencies' reports, government official documents and lecture notes and also online documents. In this chapter we can find there also the historcal background of RC Huye station.

I.2. Definition of key concepts

The theme of this study requires a working definition of key concepts in order to get to the heart of the research problem. Community radios, rural areas and development.

I.2.0. Community radios

I.2.1. Defining community media

Reframing community media as a public-interest issue can legitimise new demands and give legal status to the community-media movement's requests for access to scarce resources, such as the radio-frequency spectrum or public funding. As activist Francesco Diasio puts it: `When we acknowledge there is a public interest in community media, we open doors to a certain number of related requests.

The first one is the financing of community radios: how to secure the right of those community radios which are non-commercial and open to public access to work properly without broadcasting advertisings' (Milan 2006).^3(*)

1.2.2. What is Community Radio?

A community radio station is one that is operated in the community, for the community, about the community and by the community. The community can be territorial or geographical - a township, village, district or island. It can also be a group of people with common interests, who are not necessarily living in one defined territory. Consequently, community radio can be managed or controlled by one group, by combined groups, or of people such as women, children, farmers, fisher folk. What distinguishes community radio from other media is the high level of people's participation, both in management and program production aspects. Furthermore, individual community members and local institutions are the principal sources of support for its operation(Dunaway, 2002).

2.2.1. Rural areas

H. William defined rural areas as large and isolated areas of an open country with low population density. The terms "countryside" and "rural areas" are not synonyms:»countryside" refers to rural areas that are open. Forest, wetlands, and other areas with a low population density are not countryside.

This rapid growth of instantaneous decentralized communication is often judged likely to change mass media and its relationship to society. The internet is quickly becoming the centre of mass media. Everything is becoming accessible via the internet. For example, instead of reading a newspaper, or watching the news, people will log into the internet and select the news they want and when they want it. Many workers listen to the radio through the internet while sitting at their desk. Games also are played through the internet. (David Fisher, 2009).

2.2.2. Socio economic development

Socio-economic development refers to the ability to produce an adequate and growing supply of goods and services productively and efficiently, to accumulate capital, and to distribute the fruits of production in a relatively equitable manner. The gap between rich and poor, developed and underdeveloped, or First and Third World nations reflects variations in these socio-economic capabilities (Baster, 1972).

While there is a widespread agreement that socio-economic development involves production, accumulation, and distribution processes, the study of development has been heavily influenced by particular sociological concepts and economic measures (Baster, 1972).

Gonçalo L Fonsesca at the New School for Social Research defines economic development as "the analysis of the economic development of nations."

According to Ranis et al. (2000), we view economic growth to human development as a two-way relationship. Moreover, Ranis suggested that the first chain consist of economic growth benefiting human development with GNP. Namely, GNP increases human development by expenditure from families, government and organizations such as NGOs. With the increase in economic growth, families and individuals will likely increase expenditures with the increased in incomes, which leads to increase in human development. Further, with the increased in expenditures, health, education tend to increases in the country and later will contribute to economic growth.

To summarize, as noted in Anand's article (1993), we can view the relationship between human development and economic development in three different explanations. First, increase in average income leading to improvement in health and nutrition (known as Capability Expansion through Economic Growth). Second, it is believed that social outcomes can only be improved by reducing income poverty (known as Capability Expansion through Poverty Reduction). Thirdly, (known as Capability Expansion through Social Services), defines the improvement of social outcomes with essential services such as education, health care, and clean drinking water.

2.2.3. Principal functions of Community Radio

According to Fraser and Restrepo-Estrada (2002) the principal functions of community radio are:

· To reflect and promote local identity, character and culture by focusing principally on local content;

· To create a diversity of voices and opinions on the air through its openness to participation from all sectors;

· To encourage open dialogue and democratic process by providing an independent platform for interactive discussion about matters and decisions of importance to the community;

· To promote good governance and civil society by playing a community watchdog role that makes local authorities and politicians more conscious of their public responsibilities;

· Giving a voice to the voiceless, especially to women and young people in some societies.

2.2.4. Models of community radio

Philosophically two distinct approaches to community radio can be discerned, though the models are not necessarily mutually exclusive. One stresses service or community-mindedness, a focus on what the station can do for the community. The other stresses involvement and participation by the listener.

Within the service model localism is often prized, as community radio, as a third tier, can provide content focused on a more local or particular community than larger operations. Sometimes, though, the provision of syndicated content that is not already available within the station's service area is seen as a desirable form of service. Within the United States, for example, many stations syndicate content from groups such as Pacifica Radio, such as Democracy Now!, on the basis that it provides a form of content not otherwise available, because of such a program's lack of appeal to advertisers or (especially in Pacifica's case) politically controversial nature.

Within the access or participatory model, the participation of community members in producing content is seen as a good in itself. While this model does not necessarily exclude a service approach, there is a tension between the two, as outlined, for example, in Jon Bekken's Community Radio at the Crossroads.

Some examples of community radios around the world:

Bangladesh

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), NGO Network in Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC in considers community radio a special area for intervention. BNNRC has been promoting advocacy with the government in relation to community radio with other organizations since its emergence from 2000.

The objective of BNNRC's Community Radio intervention is to address crucial social issues at community level, such as poverty and social exclusion, empower marginalized rural groups and catalyze democratic processes and ongoing development efforts.

The prime role of community radio is giving voice to the voiceless people who do not have access to the mainstream media to express their ideas and views regarding community development. Promoting the right to communicate, speed up the process of informing the community, assist the free flow of information and therefore act as a catalyst of change are few major tasks are to be done by community radio. It will also uphold creative growth and democratic spirit in the community level(Wikipedia).

Benin

Radio is the primary source of mass medium in Benin and all of sub-Saharan Africa. Of the current 55 radio stations, 36 of them are community radio stations. The cover everything from news and sports to music and quiz shows. It is very difficult for these stations to succeed due to many factors, including: financial problems, structural problems and funding. There is, however, a need and a good chance for these stations to prevail (T Gratz, 2010).

2.2.5. Understanding the role of community media in local development

Milan, Stefania(2009) argued that community media add to the social and cultural dimensions of development by providing channels for participation, social and political empowerment, and the exercise of citizen rights, as they work for community building by transforming individual experiences in a shared vision of (a better) reality.

According to Hollander et al. (2002), community media provide public communication (made available to everyone) within a specific context: the community, understood not only as a geographical setting but primarily as a social setting. Community media are devoted to the `reproduction and representation of common (shared) interests', and `the community serves as a frame of reference for a shared interpretation'.

Emphasis is on the symbolic experience or the transformation of `private individual experience into public collective experience' (Hollander et al. 2002: 26). This is, I believe, where one of the main contributions of community media to development lies: in the making or reinforcing of social ties as the symbolic basis for change. The message is that `together we can make it': in this sense, community media offer marginalised communities a means for empowerment.

For poor communities, because of costs and accessibility: radio transmitters are cheap, easy to use for illiterate people and where landlines and the Internet are still a mirage. The case studies provided in this paper concentrate on radio as the media catalysing the widest concern among policy makers and advocacy groups for its relevance in developing countries. In the effort to find a policy-operative definition that could be taken for active consideration by policy makers, community-media advocates have reframed the concept in many ways (Milan, Stefania, 2009).

For Girard, community radio `aims not only to participate in the life of the community, but also to allow the community to participate in the life of the station . . . at the level of ownership, programming, management, direction and financing' (Girard 1992: 13). But if participation is multi-level, emphasis is especially on dialogue and communication as a two-way process (Carpentier et al. 2003). Offor (2002) argues that, to promote social and cultural change, community radio needs to be not only a channel to transmit to people, but also a means of receiving from them: not only an instrument to hear from or about the world, but the people's voice, to make their voice heard.

Community media cover diverse topics, but often they embrace what can be called a `social mission'. For example, an educational focus characterises many stations in Africa: health- and childcare programs, farming tips, human and women's rights, literacy classes. Their impact is more relevant when programs are created by the community for the community (Milan, Stefania, 2009).

Community radio can play a vital role in development and democratization by enabling communities to articulate their experiences and critically to examine issues, processes and policies affecting lives (Bonim and Opoku-Mensah, 1998 p18).

2.3. Radio broadcasting in Rwanda

History of Radiobroadcast in Rwanda was represented most of the time by radio Rwanda. Since its creation in 1961, it monopolised audiovisual media sector till 2003 when the Government gave permission to the private radios to operate in the country. During colonial period Rwanda and Burundi under Belgium tutor have had one transmitter of 10KW which was based in Bujumbura. Brief Radio was unknown in Rwanda except those who listened to foreign radios (Muvunyi, 2010).

According to Aloys Rukebesha (1985: 86) noted that during 1961, Rwandans authorities at provisional period wondered that it should be better to have a national radiobroadcast of Rwanda. It was officially inaugurated on 19^th May 1961, but the shows of trying and testing started three months before. From 1961 to 1962, Radio Rwanda developed with infrastructures and other equipments from outside of the country. This helps this radio to reach and cover 80% of the country by 1978. In 1993, during the war between RPF and the Rwandan government, R.R has lost its monopoly with the creation of RTLM even though it was private (Muvunyi, 2010).

2.3.1. Other radios

After the end of tragic period of the 1994 Genocide against tutsi, R.R was again the one radio station operating in the country till 2002, when the law gave private radios the freedom of creation. From this period many private radios were rapidly created.

Today there about 21 radio stations in country according to the press release from the media high council on 26^th July 2010 signed by Patrice Mulama, the Executive Secretary of Media High Council (MHC). As provided for under article 96 of the Media law n° 22/2009 of 12/08/2009, all media organs in place before the publication of this law in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda shall, within a period not exceeding three (3) months as from its publication, have declared to the Media High Council (MHC), the requirements referred to under Article 24 of the same Law; It is in that framework that the Media High Council (MHC) announces on this 26^th day of July 2010 the list of all media organs that meet the requirements of the law and therefore legally recognized in Rwanda.

According to this press release 3 private radios; Voice of Africa, Sana Radio and Voice of America were not on the list because they didn't meet the requirements of the law and as a result they were not legally recognized in Rwanda. But today these radios are operating n the country. Among these 21 radio stations, there are 5 community radios called «Radiyo z'Abaturage» in different provinces; in Huye, Rusizi, Rubavu, Musanze and Nyagatare created by the government of Rwanda in order to strengthen its politic of decentralization and in other to confront private radios.

2.4. Community Radio of Huye (RC Huye)

a) Historical background

The creation of community radios was from 1980, the time of creation of regional centers for information called «Centres regionaux d'Informations» (CRI) and the service of DECOR which has the mission of supervising these community radios. The creation of these radios by the government was for two principal reasons: The reinforcement of decentralization policy which privileged the participation of population and to confront private radios.

According to the presidential decree No 273/61 of 8^th August 1978 of, the mission of this service of DECOR was:

-Planning the evolution of CRI in kind of infrastructures, personnel and its improvement,

The service of DECOR was created after realizing that government media, especially Radio Rwanda covered events held in the capital Kigali and the provinces and rural area were not informed. This was confirmed by the research of Aloys Rukebesha (1985:85) as cited by Muvunyi(2010): «Since the start, radio broadcasting of Rwanda, tended to broadcast voices of leaders and they go out side of capital Kigali only to cover events related to authorities or other activities which implies authorities».

The creation of CRI has come to solve this problem. At the beginning CRI produced print articles for bimonthly newspaper «Imvaho» and reportages which were broadcasted to Radio Rwanda the idea of community radios came after 20 years, after experiencing that people was short of information. This was to give value to local initiatives by motivating people to contribute in finding solution to their problems.

Inaugurated on 31^st July 2003, RC Huye came to serve people especially to contribute in educating people and being the channel between people and authorities to transmit their messages (vice versa).It represent ORINFOR in differents distritcs in Southern Procince includes: Huye, Gisagara, Nyanza and Ruhango. It is located behind Huye police station office, not far from Huye market, behind Ngoma sector. The office of RC Huye is a simple house of 6 rooms (studio, Technical room, Newsroom, secretariat and Direction). Apart those 6 rooms, other part is the radio director's residence.

b) Structure and Materials

RC Huye is under supervision of ORINFOR through its service of DECOR. It is divided in 3 sections: Redaction, free live show (animation and Production) and technique.

At the top of RC Huye there is the director or chief of Radio who represent also ORINFOR in this region. He has the task of supervising and coordinating all activities of radio. Actually ORINFOR doesn't have an official structure, but after the task of every one we can draw the structure of RC HUYE as follow:

c) News production

This section is composed by 3 permanent Journalists; one of them is the responsible of RC Huye. Apart being a journalist the radio responsible must supervise the activities of collecting, editing and broadcasting of local and international news. But apart from these 3 journalists this radio station gives to Rwandan youth from the National University of Rwanda the possibility to benefit of on-hand radio experience as volunteer journalists.

News collected by RC Huye journalist are in Kinyarwanda language but it broadcast also news in kinyarwanda, French and English from Radio Rwanda The news of RC Huye start everyday from 6:5 pm to 6:25 and 9:40 to 10:00 pm. It starts its program from 5 am to 11pm. Not only the radio produce news but also journalists have to entertain, educate people through live talk shows. These shows are focused on different topic related to social life of listeners. `Habwa Ijambo' program is aired twice a week every Saturday from 10am to 11 am; and to be rebroadcasted every Tuesday from 9am to 10 am.

d) Technique and maintenance

This section is composed by 2 technicians and 1 volunteer technician. They do all activities related to management, reparation of radio equipments. Furthermore they record and send news or shows to Radio Rwanda apart from journalists and technicians, there are also secretary and accountable who is in charge of money and then a radio driver, security agent and a cleaner.

e) Geographical coverage

As the objectives of this radio were to serve people of a certain region, the power of its transmitter doesn't have the power to broadcast for all over country. This makes the radio to cover some area. It covers the about the all southern province, part of the eastern province, North, Eastern provinces and the part of the capital Kigali. It also broadcast outside of the country to the area across the border of the neighbouring country, Burundi.

2.4.2 Role of RC Huye

As the role of the press is to inform, educate and entertain people, RC Huye also plays the role of serving its listeners since its creation in July 2003 to date. Through its news twice per a day, RC Huye inform the listeners what is happening in the country and outside through international news. Apart news this radio also inform the listeners through announcements of different kinds and advertisements. It also plays a big role in educating people through the shows which are focusing about the need of the society.

The timetable program of this radio shows that the shows of this radio focus about to all sector of life of a Rwandan. Different domains like health, social affairs, good governance and decentralisation, Justice are included in different program of the radio. This is to encourage people to participate in the development of the country by giving people time to express their views in different issues. Finally, about the entertainment, RC Huye entertain the listeners with various music, entertainments shows, listener's forum through messages etc. Sports program even though this program is about sports news, it can contribute to the entertainment of the listeners.

2.4.3. Community media incites learning from others

(Stefania, 2009) noted that Community media can contribute to full development of the community. This section provides two examples of how community media can be integrated into national media systems and how they can be sustained financially by institutions.

The first example comes from Brazil, where not-for-profit community broadcasting is recognized in law as a distinct sector from commercial media, but the regulatory provisions are too restrictive and thousands of community radio stations are facing severe repression.

Despite the fact that civil-society organisations have sat with government bodies to discuss a more equitable regulation, which resulted in a fund to support community media (awaiting approval by parliament), repression continues. The second case comes from the UK, where, thanks to 20 years of advocacy by the national Community Media Association (CMA), 8 a transparent licensing process of community broadcasters started in 2004 and is awarding not-for-profit radios with a license to broadcast. A Community Radio Fund sustained by the Ministry of Culture has been launched.

These two examples differ in many aspects, even in the definition of community broadcasting, but they provide an overview of implemented ways to allow community expression through the media - reserving for community broadcasters a portion of national airwaves and providing community-based groups with financial help to start and maintain their channels. Both are to be considered cases of legislation that still needs to be improved, but that represents a first step towards a fair-minded media policy supportive of freedom of expression.

2.2.5 Media impacts and influences

Social sciences research has a long history in exploring media effects. Perhaps the most notable of early studies were those by the Payne Fund which was set up in New York in 1928 to study the impact and influences of motion pictures on youth. The overall conclusions were that despite some public anxiety about the new medium, any influences were fairly modest and superficial in such things as fashion rather than on morals. The researchers were unwilling to attribute criminal delinquency to film - going (Briggs and Cobley, 1998).^4(*)

2.2.6. Social Effects of the Media

Richard argued that it is commonly believed that the mass media wield wide and mysterious powers. According to social learning theory, individuals could acquire or learn a great deal information simply by watching others and without being directly reinforced. However, their decision to perform or enact what they had learned depended to a considerable extent on «reinforcement contingencies» - that is, rewards and punishments (Jeffres, 1986).^5(*)

2.2.7. Community Radio for Rural Development

"People should make community radio as a basic need because by listening to community radio, people can increase knowledge, skills, insights and new innovations through broadcasts of community radio."

The thing above was revealed by the chairman of the Board of Community Radio Broadcasting (DPRK), MITRA FM Radio, Tanjung Anom Sub-village, Tandem Hilir Village II, Perak Hamparan Sub-district, Deli Serdang district. As cited by D. Ocwich (2006) the media is more effective in «spreading awareness of new possibilities and practices» (Servaes, 1999: 23), than causing direct social change.

The media's impact is better felt when augmented by other channels of communication, including interpersonal interaction (McQuail, 2005). Other scholars such as Willbur Schramm view the mass media as a «bridge to a wider world», and as the vehicles for transferring new ideas and models from the North to the South, and within the South from urban to rural areas (Thussu, 2000: 41-42). Modernization is, under this theory, conceived as a process of diffusion whereby «individuals move from a traditional way of life to a more complex, more technically developed, and more rapidly changing way of life» (Servaes 1999: 27).^6(*)

Nowadays no one can deny the importance of media in fighting social evils, illiteracy as well as poverty. Understanding the essence of media and showing full confidence in it, «Media has played pivotal role in spreading knowledge in traditional societies in India where accessing education was just a dream. By regularly broadcasting programs on agricultural issues and on various social and moral evils, media has contributed a lot in bringing multifarious development in this nation (Saad Ullah Khan, 2002).

The diversity of this participatory radio movement is large and very rich. In this we find our strength (Delorme in Lewis, 1993).

Bernard Lamiset and Ahmed Silem (1997:470) classified local community radios among the non commercial radios. There are characterised by the commercial resources from the messages that they aired. The particularity of these radios is that they are always in contact with its audience if you compare to other which do not focus to this region or that. Community Radio Stations are operated, owned, and driven by the communities they serve.

Community radio is a type of radio made to serve people; radio that encourages expression and participation and that values local culture. Its purpose is to give a voice to those without voices (Girard, 1992; ix).

2.2.8. Radio influence

Mass media plays a crucial role in forming and reflecting public opinion, connecting the world to individuals and reproducing the self-image of society. The mass media still play a major role in the social learning process and have influence on how individuals acquire new ideas, attitudes, and change orientation in society. (DeFluer and Ball-Rokeach,1988).

Bernard Lamizet et Ahmed Silem (1997:190) define radio as «an exchange of radio communication in which the emission(sounds, musics, words,...) are oriented directly to be received by the listeners . In general this media help immediate action to the receiver in times of giving responses to the message he get.» By this, Radio is a strong means of information to the mass. It facilitates the exchanges between the sender and the receiver, authorities and people.

Briefly Radio plays a big role especially in African societies and particularly to Rwandan society characterized by the culture of oral. Briefly, Radio is completely a mean of promoting freedom of expression.

Current study presents a more complex interaction between the media and society, with the media on generating information from a network of relations and influences and with the individual interpretations and evaluations of the information provided. It is through the persuasiveness of media such as television, radio and print media that messages reach their target audiences. These have been influential media as they have been largely responsible for structuring people's daily lives and routines. ( Mc Luhan Marshall and Fiore Quentin,1964).

The media have a strong social and cultural impact upon society and this is affirmed upon their ability to reach a wide audience with a strong and influential message. The phrase «the medium is the message» explain how the distribution of a message can often be more important than content of the message itself.

2.2.9. Role of Mass Media in Modernization7(*)

The role of the mass media in development was accorded a central position in the modernization paradigm [modernization was defined as the process by which «individuals change from a traditional way of life to a more complex, technologically advanced, and rapidly changing style of life» Rogers 1969: 48). Thus diffusion of innovations studies documented the impact of communication [(interpersonal and mass media) on the change from a traditional to a modern way of life]; For example, Wilbur Schramm(1964) reiterated that the modernization of industrial or agricultural sectors in developing nations required the mobilization of human resources. Education and mass media, then were vested with crucial responsibility in the process of mobilization of human resource. He noted: `the task of the mass media of information and the «new media» of education is to speed and ease the long, slow social transformation required for economic development, and, in particular, to speed and smooth the task of mobilizing human resources behind the national effort (Schramm 1964: 27).'

Some scholars went further to state that the major problem in developing countries was not a shortage of natural resources but the underdevelopment of human resources. Thus, education and mass media had the enormous task of building human capital. The powerful role of mass media in modernization was cleary implied in Lerner's and Rao's research and many other studies in the 1950s and 16960s. These studies complemented the postulates of the dominant paradigm of development. Mass media were the vehicles for transferring new ideas and models from the West to the Third World and from urban areas to the rural countryside.

In the real sense, community radio plays a pivotal role in making the masses aware about their basic rights and duties. Not only limited to solving problems which a common man faces in his day-to-day life, community radio provides a strong platform from where he can freely disseminate his ideas among his community members in the best possible manner.

CHAPTER TWO: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

2.1 Introduction

This chapter discusses how the research will be conducted in a specific way using an appropriated methodology for collecting and analysing data. Methodology is the philosophy of research process that include assumptions and values which serve as a basis for research and the standards or criteria the researcher used to identify research instrument and lead the way to the conclusion. It determines how a researcher writes a hypothesis and what level of evidence is necessary to decide whether or nor to discard or retain hypothesis. This is due to the existence of many alternative methodologies and ways of conceiving social phenomena found in social sciences.

My research methodology requires gathering relevant data from the specified documents and compiling databases, in order to analyze the material and arrive at a more complete understanding the real role of community radios in uplifting population in rural areas in poverty.

2.2 Research design

Rajendar(2009) defined research design as it communicates the intentions of the researcher - the purpose of the study and its importance, together with a step -by - step plan for conducting the study. Problem is identified, questions of hypthesis are stated, variables are identified and terms are defined. The subjects to be concluded in the sample, the instuments to constructed, the procedures to follow how the data will be analyzed - all are spelled out.

Research design, thus, is a logical and a systematic plan prepared for conducting a research study. It is comparable to blue print which the architect preparer for construction of the building commences (Rajendar, 2009).

2.3. Data collection tools

In this research I used different data collection tools to gather all necessary information; those tools helped me to collect all information needed from the respondents. Here are the data collection tools you used:

2.3.1. Interviewing (face-to-face)

Interview is an important tool to collect data. Rather than asking respondents to fill out questionnaire I choose to ask questions orally and record respondents' answers on an audio recorder. This type of survey generally decreases the number of do not know and no answer responses.

Here what I observe is if a respondent has misunderstood a question, the interviewer can clarify, thereby obtaining relevant responses. Face- to-face interviews are a good way to gather information from community respondents because they might be unwilling or too busy to complete a written questionnaire.

This technique was useful to me because it helps me to gather information easily while talking to respondents, a big number of them don't know how to write and while speaking to them they feel at ease to speak whatever they think.

2.3.2. Focus Groups

A focus group typically is defined as a group of people who possess certain characteristics and provide information of a qualitative nature in a focused discussion.

This group is special in terms of purpose, size, composition, and procedures. Participants are selected because they have certain characteristics in common that relate to the topic at hand.

In this present research I used focus group to collect data, in an approach that is very helpful according to the state of the research it requires to talk to the population in the community and who mainly listens the program together; this oblige me to use the focus group where I went in the different villages located in Rwaniro sector and I talk to different group while I choose five among different people and we sat together and I start to converse with them basing on an interview guide this helps the researcher to identify deeply what is the perception of the respondents concerning the program.

The total respondents of 30 it was divided into five focus groups.

The importance of using focus group is that respondents feel at ease to express themselves because it's like they're discussing in their respective village there's not a different situation ton what they live in. They saw their neighbors around and this incites them to speak openly whatever they think.

2.3.3. Using available information

This tool of using available information is important in the process of research, to know exactly what other researchers did on the role of a program in uplifting population into poverty I consult other information related to this research from books and internet.

For obtaining accurate and dependable data, researchers are suggested to combine two or more of the above mentioned data collection techniques ( S. Rampur, 2010).

2.4. Data processing and data anaysis

Once the interview are completed, the analysis of the collected data will necessarily take a great deal of time. This is where you determine wheter the evidence supports your hypothesis, whether other variables have had a greater influence on reported violence.

This research was analysed by using qualitative method; Qualitative Data Analysis(QDA) is the range of processes and procedures whereby we move from the qualitative data that have been collected into some form of explanation, understanding or interpretation of the people and situations we are investigating. QDA is usually based on an interpretative philosophy. The idea is to examine the meaningful and symbolic content of qualitative data. For example, by analysing interview data the researcher may be attempting to identify someone's interpretation of the world (P. Atkinson,1996).

2.5. Coding and Processing

In Kelle and Seidel (1995) codes are differentiated in two basic ways; they can act as «objective, transparent representations of facts» or they are heuristic tools to enable further investigation and discovery. At one level the codes are acting as collection points for significant data. At another level the code labels themselves are acting as markers or pointers to the way you rationalise what it is that you think is happening. At a third level they enable you to continue to make discoveries about deeper realities in the data that is referenced by the codes.

The processing can be very labour intensive, in much the same way as it for processing qualitative interview transcripts. Using highly trained coders and a rigorous unmbiguous coding scheme is very important particularly where there is no clear demarcation of events or behaviour in the dairy entries. Clearly, awell designed diary with a coherent pre-coding system should cut down on the degree of editing and coding (J.D. Brewer(2003).^8(*)

After collecting data gathered from the field, the following stage is to process the data collected. Therefore, analysis of data is a process of inspecting, cleaning, transforming, and modelling data with the goal of highlighting useful information, suggesting conclusions, and supporting decision making. Data from various sources is gathered, reviewed, and then analyzed to form a sort of finding or conclusion. In this research data from different sources will be analysed, interpreted and will form a particular finding about how this radio is participating in promotion of freedom of expression.

CHAPTER THREE: ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS AND INTERPRETATION

3.1. Methodology

The purpose of this chapter is to present the data collected during the research. It is through information got during interviews and documents related to the research topic.

Francis Rummel has argued that «The analysis and interpretation of data involve the objective material in possession of the researcher and his supportive reaction and desires to derive from the data the inherent meaning in their relation to the problem.»(Kumar,2002).

Qualitative research is inquiry aimed at describing and clarifying human experience as it appears in people's lives. Qualitative data are gathered primarily in the form of spoken or written language rather than in the form of numbers.

This method helped me to explore mainly what population thinks about the problem, and you get their emotions, and qualitative analysis is represented in form of quotations.

This was analysis of the contribution of Habwa ijambo program. The research is based on different people in Rwaniro sector who regularly listen to the radio; they are called «Ambassadors».

3.2. Data presentation

In this research I used qualitative method and explore how people feel and what they think. I interviewed people on what they think about the program, what they got from it.

To present, analyse and interpreting the results, we use the qualitative technique; this chapter is dedicated on presentation, analysing and interpretation of results we are going to use quotations. Our sample was composed by 30 respondents; all has been interviewed orally. The identification of our research we based on different criteria like ages, sex, level of study and occupation.

3.3. Ages and Sex distribution of sample

Ages of respondents were an important issue in this research. This helped me to identify the categories of the listeners of this show.

It is clearly specify that many of respondents are in the range from 20 -35, respondents of this ages took the 16 followed by the respondents over 35 years who were 10 and under 20 counted 4. These people were from Huye district, in Rwaniro sector. All respondents listen regularly RC Huye.

30 respondents were used to make analysis. This includes 19 male and 11 females. The large numbers of respondents were masculine.

3.4. Level of study and occupation of respondents

The level of study and occupation are needed in this research. They help me to identify the categories of people who for a time contributed in this program.

The higher proportion of respondents who don't have an education level and who are farmers has the highest fraction, this research demonstrates that a big number of them have fulfilled primary studies and some of them are domestic. A small number of them are students in secondary school especially. There are also respondents who didn't clarify their education level.

The analysis carry out prove that a big number of `Habwa Ijambo program' contributors have a low level of education and this is confirm that also this program has welcomed by those population.

3.5. The analysis of the program's contents

The final research method used in this research is the content analysis of Habwa Ijambo recorded program. This section presents the results to see what the message behind the program which was broadcasted is something crucial because the aired message should be understandable and focused. Therefore we have analysed five recorded Habwa Ijambo audio clips aired at RC Huye from June 25, 2009 to July 31, 2010. Below is the schedule on the programs we have analysed. Each program runs sixty minutes (one hour).

No	Date of airing the show	Main Themes	Place	Sources	Observation
1	January 8, 2011	. Eradicating grass thatched houses	Rusatira sector/ Huye district	Population in Rusatira sector	People complain on eradication of thatched housing, Nyakatsi.
2	January 18, 2011	. How to population manage themselves to get their own houses.	Kansi sector/ Gisagara distict	Population in Kansi sector	Population gave their solution to own new houses
3	February 22, 2011	. Population gave their views on the election of local leaders	Mamba sector/ Gisagara district	Population in Mamba sector	What are the criteria to an exemplary leader
4	March 19, 2011	. The impact of cooperatives and live near a boarder.	Ngoma sector/ Nyaruguru district	Population who lives near Akanyaru boarder	To live near a boarder said that it is good for them to live there economically.
5	March 26, 2011	. How motorcyclist created cooperatives	Ngoma sector/ Huye district	Motorcyclists working in Huye town	Motorcyclists are accusing their coop leaders to commits mistakes.

3.6.1 The selection of themes to debate on

As we analyse those pre recorded and edited programs, we noticed that while the program starts the producer incites populations on the field on talk on a given issue. And we remark that somehow the producer imposes thoughts on population. In an hour and one minute show, there's no anywhere the producer admits population's minds. For instance on a program aired on January 8th, 2011 in first minutes on an issue of eradicating grass thatched houses, he refused to guide population's on the right solution, he's inciting population to debate but there's no final answer.

About the selection of themes or topic to debate on is a crucial thing in the production of the show; what we noticed in the realisation of the program is that it is that audience didn't contribute mainly in the setting of the main theme of the program.

In a sample of programs we took you can find that in one program there's a mixture of different subjects and this should confuse the audience.

3.6.2 Issues related on economic issues discussed

In those pre-recorded programs there's some which the program producer record them by reaching population in the market, for instance the show recorded in Kinkanga market in Rusatira sector; few minutes are dedicated to how population buy foods on the market, people argue that foods are there but are too expensive, they said that legumes are affordable that Irish potatoes from Northern province; while analysing this program the researcher find that the program is not focused because there's mixture of topics here we find a topic about economic issues, but there's also a health issues on drinking alcohol and so on.

In analysing those programs among four one is focused on economic related issues, and population provide their views. Despite the small percentage allocated to economic issues population comments on it.

3.6.3 Issues related to social themes

Social welfare issues took a almost the program airtime of the sample programs (4hours 20 minutes in 5 hours of the 5 programs), such topic like sanitation, know how to live well. For instance to amazing topic is about hygiene among children, in the program aired on 18 January 2011, Kansi residents discussed about children who didn't wash clothes. Children who participated in the program said that they lack water to do sanitation but at the end of the discussion population recommend others to help each child, and population there contributes to buy soap and help children to get water to get bath and wash clothes. This shows how this show contributes socially to the well being of the society. And the show contributes also in hygiene and sanitation.

3.6.4. Program's time and technical side

In a sample of 5 programs which has been analysed we find that they have bad voices(echoes) due to bad voice recorder, with parasites and the sounds was not clear, despite the last one which has been recorded in Huye district where the producer talk to motorcyclists talking on the benefits of joining common cooperatives.

On the timing was well time-honoured but on the sounds side it is not good, and another thing is that there's no break in the middle of the program and this should boring the audience. Because the audience's judgment is that it is a one theme program. And we didn't notice any sound bite in the program.

3.6.5. The program output and feedback from the audience

Talking to the program producer he said that he has information from the population, where after airing the program about the eradication of grass thatched houses in Kinkanga cell, after local leaders agree to slow down this eradication, and they allow poorest people to remain in short time in those houses while looking for other houses to live in .

About getting feedback from the audience, the program producer said that there's no official channel where feedback from the audience pass through; he argue that this affects the realisation of the program and to choose the next topic. He consent that he didn't get phone calls and SMS from the audience due to the lack of proper channel to receive the feedback.

3. 7. DATA INTERPRETATION

3.7.1. Population agree on the issues discussed in this show related to the real population concerns

While collecting data on the ground respondents agree that listening the program drives them to understand some problems they face with especially in rural areas regarding lack of production in farming.

A 21 year old boy noted that: «I agree that this program is related to rural population real life, it reaches rural areas where they discussed different issues concerns our daily living.» This young boy told me that he is well satisfied because the program tackle issues of what they face in their everyday life, especially some techniques to improve the production of their domestic animals.

He added that different subject relating to the rural community, and it helps us to imitate what other people did on the way of development.

A 40 old woman a mother of four stated that: «The Habwa Ijambo program is focused on our daily activities such as family planning, the health insurance scheme and savings; all themes discussed in program tackle mainly on what we want to hear. What they debate on is sufficient.» This lady I talk to her and strongly show me the difference of how she lives nowadays comparing to last four years where she did not start to listen in the program, she said that in past four years she didn't know some techniques relating to family pallning, she told me that following listening the program she took a strong decision to never give again birth due to the lesson she got from the program, where she got lesson from other people who are now living miserably due to a large family comprising with many children.

3.7.2.Advanced reasons for the respondent's confidence in the program

A large part of respondents set some clear examples which indicate that this program impacts on populations' everyday's life. For instance they talk about this program incites them in developing their traditional ways of saving and investing in micro projects for example cultivate some plants which they shall sell on the market, not forgetting save food for the family.

They added that they got knowledge which helps them in everyday's life, for instance in getting new techniques of move towards new life in social and economic part.

Many of them argued on a common reason that radio can help in solving their problems once exposed.

This will helped us to know how people if really this show is important for them and evaluate if really issue discussed in the show are related to their concerns and the contribution of the program in population real life.

A 36 old father of four, a farmer and a photographer commented that: «This program is very helpful to the local community because it tackle on our concerns such as the problem of the increase of the contribution of health insurance scheme, we believe in the program because it teaches us how we can develop ourselves basing on what other people has achieved, and this inspire us a lot because we always learn so many things in the program such as the use of modern farming method to boost our production.»

In his statement he told me that the program has revoulutionalized the way they think, because before they didn't know well the role of paying health insurance contribution, but now they know it's function.

The above statement shows that Habwa Ijmbo program's audience have been convinced to adopt different programmes the government has set.

But he added that the lack of financial means is a main barrier to achieve all things they listen from the program.

A 19 year old cultivator said that he believe in the program, because it aired people's views on how they practice different techniques they did to develop themselves.

He pointed out that: «I remember well the program's jingle when starts I use to listen to a man who said that he owns a couple of hens and pigs, it is not a dream you can achieve this.»

Listening to the program he explored different techniques to boost their crop production, for the reason that other people who lives in other regions have take up skills to increase their own production by passing on air this lesson it incites others who faces this problem to get the expected solution

He added that: «It's clear imitating what other people did through the channel of the radio program and take them practicing it in our respective village, such as modern farming.»

3.7.3. Linkage between program's contents and social - economic development issues basing on examples

A 19 year old boy, who is an agriculturist he said he regularly listen the program, after two years when listen the program, he said that: «I was been inspired by starting developing small projects. Currently I own pigs and goats,» He added that «I hope to improve very soon my life,» and he believe to share this knowledge to his neighbours.

This is the valid linkage of Habwa Ijambo program and the social impact to the rural residents, radio spread the information in the public.

He further added that he understood different government policy which concerns the rural population, such as Health scheme insurance, family planning. And also the program is very important for the population because it inspires us by imitating what others did.

A 40 year old women, a mother of four the advise us to adopt the family planning policy, and now I'm able to adopt this policy.

Other respondents argue that they experienced how the make into practice what then listen for in the program and someone start keeping a rabbit and now he owns a rabbit.

Basic on concrete examples they express their feelings how the program helps them to get the solution of their social programs, for instance someone told the researcher how he get the solution of the conflict between his couple with her wife while they don't get a common understanding on family planning issue, but now after get knowledge he got from the program now they are able to make into practice those skills.

In general a big percentage of respondents argue that they get an advantage in listening in the program, because it inspires them and they imitate what other did in terms economy and social issues.

A woman in Rwaniro sector stated that she bought a pig, because in Habwa Ijambo she listens in someone, who started keeping pigs and he became richer.

In social concern those adults' respondents agree that they embraced how a family can resolve conflicts in their relationship, for instance to know how a women can adopt a family planning policy, without get in trouble with her husband.

The results shows that a big number of respondents listen to Habwa ijambo, get something in the program, statistics shows that 86.6% of respondents appreciate the program's message they get, and program's shape.

3.7.4. Respondents' criticisms to the program

A 21 old boy, he is domestic, said that this program is dedicated to old generation living in rural areas, and he suggests that this program should cover also debate focusing on rural youths, he declared that: «This program should be fruitful to the youth if they should participate actively in the realisation of it.»

This program is citisized by the youth because it doesn't allocate a great time to some issues regarding youth's concerns, because it doesn't help young people to explore some issues regarding health reproduction.

A 22 old girl said that if the program shifts the time of its broadcasting to the night hours, she recommends that if could be better and it can help young generation who are studying and living in the rural areas to listen to it.

Mainly respondents talked about their wishes that the program should cover some issues related especially to the social - economic activities, a 77 year old man argued that: «This program help us mainly to catch well the family planning policy but the problem here is that the program don't dig deeper in this policy; We want to learn more about this guiding principles.»

Another criticism from respondents is that the producer doesn't come up with expert in given issues, for instance whether it is the program which is exlporing the use and how people embrace the family planning policy, with three children per family it is a problem. We should recommend to the radio station to invite experts to debate on differents issues regarding our daily life.

In this case my view is that if you are proffessional journalist you have to invite different people who should deliver their views on a given topic, this help the audience to catch more the topic, for instance if you invite a university proffesor to help people undestand well this policy.

The program producer always went in the place where it is located market, and some respondents raised the issue that it is not fair to approach always places where it is market, audience request that it could be good if the journalist approach them in their respective village.

A lady who always listen the program but she didn't till now contribute to the program, said that: «I always catch the program where the journalist went always in markets, and we need that he should approach us in our villages, because it is complicated to contribute ideas where it is many people, if he approach us it could be better and we can feel free to express ourselves.»

As a journalist and who has a clear focus in his program, he has to reach different places in countryside not reach only markets, here some respondents complains and they wonder why the program producer didn't reach them in their villages.

A man who is a photographer said that hours where the program is broadcasted it is complicated to listen to it because it working hours, he said that: «If they shift the airing time and to move it in weekend and evening hours it could be good.»

A domestic who lived in Rwaniro sector, said that: «We as young people we didn't contribute to the program because the producer approach mainly local people and we need to if he approach us in schools we can feel free to express ourselves and share ideas which our colleagues.»

A young girl aged 21 she is a student in secondary school, but she did stay at the school, she said that: «As youth we need that the program should also broadcast some issues related to reproductive health, HIV AIDS and this should be a good step to sensitize youths to fight against the HIV disease among youths.»

A 43 old man carpenter he is a father of six said that he appreciates the program's contents but he should approach peasants not only reach market place but he should talk to local population, he said that: «It is good to come near local farmers not sellers in markets.»

3.7.4. The program producer answer respondents's concerns

What the population said that the program should shift hours of airing it, he said that: «We broadcast the program each Saturday and Tuesday morning and those are the right time to air the program, to change it to the weekend's evening it is not possible.»

While some audience request that the program should embrace also some reproductive health issues; the program producer declared that: «This program is mainly focused only on then rural development issues especially economic and social themes.»

While speaking to the program producer about the selection of the topic, the producer said that: «I mainly choose the topic to debate on in collaboration with the population. And I choose it basing on the current issues for instance if there's the implementation of eradicating the grass thatched houses I have to take this topic.»

About the issue of helping youth to know more about reproductive health matter; the producer noted that: «The program is focused on rural development and we mainly tackle on economic and social topics.»

The program producer noted that the show played a big role in raising the issue of eradicatinng those thatched houses for poor people, he said that: «Where I produced the program after airing it local leaders in Huye district knew that they should wait while poor people look for other houses to live in.»

About reaching population in their villages program producer said that it is complicated to reach there due to financial means where it is complicated to reach upcountry places.

CHAPTER FOUR: CONLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1. General Conclusion

This section discusses the results of the research. It also draws some recommendations for the use of the radio talk show to make social and economic sensitization, especially to promote the society's well being through radio program.

In general radio stations broadcast messages are widely used in Rwanda, and radio is an accessible form of communication mostly used in the whole country. The history of media in Rwanda and it role in 1994 genocide shows how much media; especially radio RTLM contributed in mobilization of people to kills their neighbors.

As we talked earlier, radio program focused especially on social and economic issues in society, it is important because it inspires population to participate in development and it opens their thoughts to different aspects in order to improve their life status.

Another value is that population participate in the delivering their views on a given theme, and this is very crucial to the social economic transformation, because targeted population are easily convinced when ideas came from his partner or their neighbors. This kind of program makes people feel at ease to speak and this is a source society's social economic transformation.

As the results shows, people believe in Habwa Ijambo radio program as a medium which promotes ideas which could be a foundation of social and economic transformation to solve their problems of poverty and lack of knowledge on development issues.

The hypothesis as identified earlier on this work is verified. The hypotheses addressed the contribution of Habwa Ijambo radio program to social and economic development. According to the results of the research, I can see that most of the time information delivered through radio program for rural population, the targeted population especially in rural areas embraces those ideas directed to them. Then we can confirm that the result showed that the radio tries to give to the population social and economic skills in the development process.

The media, especially radio which can reach even in the rural area has a role to promote ideas which population need in their everyday's life.

Even though we noted that the program is not allocated on social and economic related issues, it gives flow to the population especially in rural areas.

4.2. Recommendations

Contribution of a radio program to the social economic transformation it is not an issue of one day. According to the history of the media in Rwanda, media played a big role the channel of authorities and aired politics related issues not basing on social economic transformation for the well being of the population. Considering this research the social economic radio programs should be a clearest path to reach rural areas, and on this point population targeted will be involved in bring ideas which could be a source of sustainable social economic transformation.

After conducting this research then the researcher provides the recommendations that follow:

- Population from far rural areas should be good if the program producer visits them then they could express their views and expose their problems and could be a good way to involve them in this program directly.

- It is good if the program producer investigate what population need to know, about problem affecting people and special program should be allocated to those issues.

- This program should also involve researchers/ scholars not local leaders only in the program; because scholars know well some solution to population's challenges to the real development. And they could easily deliver some key solutions to the social and economic change.

- The program producer has to request to the audience to send feedback, for the reason that the producer should know what audience think about the program.

- On the other hand when there is a discussion some population refuse to speak, and this should be a challenge to the realisation of the program. And they can stimulate others to say no, and this is a great challenge to the realisation of the program.

- The ORINFOR have to give this radio the financial autonomy because the station can adequately cover all regions, in particular rural areas, and this should be excellent, because the program will visits many populations and they will deliver their problems and solutions.

-It might be also good for the Radio to have increased the power of the radio in order to cover almost 90% of the Rwandan territory because their programs are needed by the whole country.

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10. Briggs, A. and Cobley. P (eds.) (1998) The Media: An introduction. Edinburgh: Longman.

11. HAGABIMANA, E. (2005), Le role des radios communautaires dans l'education au developpement socio-economique du pays. Cas de la radio locale communautaire de Butare. Butare, UNR.

12. JANNA G. (2008), Tuning into a New Paradigm: community radio in Rwanda, Carleton University Ottawa, Ontario.

APPENDIX

Interview Guide for rural listeners (Urupapuro ndenderwaho mu kubaza ibibazo Abaturage batega amatwi radiyo)

1. How old are you (Mwatubwira imyaka mufite)? ..........................................................................

2. What is your occupation (akazi ukora)? ..........................................

6. Do you listen to «Habwa ijambo» program on community radio of Huye(Rc Huye)?

Ujya wumva ikiganiro «Habwa ijambo»kuri radiyo y'abaturage ivugira I Huye(Rc Huye)?

...............................................................................................................

7. Does this program provide to you some skills, which can help you to gain more skills in the social and economic level?

Iki kiganiro,wumva kijya kiguha ubumenyi nkenerwa mu kwiteza imbere mu bijyanye n'imibereho ndetse n'ubukungu ?

.....................................................................................................................

7. Do the issues discussed in this show related to the real population concerns?

.....................................................................................................................

8. Do you know anyone who's the problems have been solved because s (h e) listened to this program? If yes, How?

Hari uwo waba uzi wagize inyungu muri iki kiganiro, nyuma yo ku cyumva hari uburyo yaba yariteje imbere? Niba ari yego, gute? .....................................................................................................................

9. Did you ever contributed to this show or do you know anyone who contributes in the show?

Waba warigeze gutanga ibitekerezo cg hari uwo uzi ujya utanga ibitekerezo mu kiganiro?

.....................................................................................................................

10. How do you evaluate the role of the program in the real social and economic development?

Ni gute upima akamaro k'iki kiganiro mu kuzamura imibereho y'abagikurikira, by'umwihariko mu kubazamura mu mibereho n'ubukungu bwabo?

.....................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................

By'umwihariko ku bijyanye n'umusanzu w'ikiganiro mu kuzamura imibereho n'ubukungu bw'Abaturage, ubona bigereranywa gute, ese hari ingero waba ufite ?

.....................................................................................................................

4. On your side, which strategies do you take to improve the social and economic impact in the rural community through the program that you produce?

N'izihe ngamba wafashe ngo iki kiganiro gikomeze gitange umusanzu w'iterambere ry'imibereho n'ubukungu mu batarage bo mu cyaro?

.....................................................................................................................

* ³ Milan, Stefania(2009) 'Four steps to community media as a development tool', Development in Practice, 19: 4, 598 -- 609

* ⁴ Briggs, A. and Cobley, P. (eds) (1998) The Media: An Introduction, Edinburgh: Longman.

* ⁵ Richard M. Perloff is Associate Professor of Communication and Director of the Communication Research Center at Cleveland State University.

* ⁶ Denis Ocwich , FM Radios and Rural Development Case Study: Lira District, Northern Uganda, 2006

* ⁷ S.R. Melkote and H.L. Steeves in Communication for Development in the Third World, Theory and Practice for Empowerment

* ⁸ The A-Z of social research: a dictionary of key social science research concepts by John D. Brewer

Contribution of community radios in rural areas development case study of Habwa Ijambo? program aired at RC Huye

DEDICATION

DECLARATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABREVIATION AND ACRONYMS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

CHAP 0: GENERAL INTRODUCTION

0. I. Background to the study

0.2. Statement of the problem

0.3. Objectives

0.4. Research questions

0.5. Significance of the study

0.7. Methodology

0.7.1. Research design

0.7.2.The study population

0.7.3.Sample Design and Size

0.7.4.Data collection instruments

0.8. Scope of the study

0.9. Organization of the study

0.9.1. Limitations

I.9.1. Ethical considerations

CHAPTER ONE: LITERATURE REVIEW

I.1. Introduction

I.2. Definition of key concepts

I.2.0. Community radios

I.2.1. Defining community media

1.2.2. What is Community Radio?

2.2.1. Rural areas

2.2.2. Socio economic development

2.2.3. Principal functions of Community Radio

2.2.4. Models of community radio

Some examples of community radios around the world:

Bangladesh

Benin

2.2.5. Understanding the role of community media in local development

2.3. Radio broadcasting in Rwanda

2.3.1. Other radios

2.4. Community Radio of Huye (RC Huye)

a) Historical background

b) Structure and Materials

c) News production

d) Technique and maintenance

e) Geographical coverage

2.4.2 Role of RC Huye

2.4.3. Community media incites learning from others

2.2.5 Media impacts and influences

2.2.6. Social Effects of the Media

2.2.7. Community Radio for Rural Development

2.2.8. Radio influence

2.2.9. Role of Mass Media in Modernization7(*)

CHAPTER TWO: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Research design

2.3. Data collection tools

2.3.1. Interviewing (face-to-face)

2.3.2. Focus Groups

2.3.3. Using available information

2.4. Data processing and data anaysis

2.5. Coding and Processing

CHAPTER THREE: ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS AND INTERPRETATION

3.1. Methodology

3.2. Data presentation

3.3. Ages and Sex distribution of sample

3.4. Level of study and occupation of respondents

3.5. The analysis of the program's contents

3.6.1 The selection of themes to debate on

3.6.2 Issues related on economic issues discussed

3.6.3 Issues related to social themes

3.6.4. Program's time and technical side

3.6.5. The program output and feedback from the audience

3. 7. DATA INTERPRETATION

3.7.1. Population agree on the issues discussed in this show related to the real population concerns

3.7.2.Advanced reasons for the respondent's confidence in the program

3.7.3. Linkage between program's contents and social - economic development issues basing on examples

3.7.4. Respondents' criticisms to the program

3.7.4. The program producer answer respondents's concerns

CHAPTER FOUR: CONLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1. General Conclusion

4.2. Recommendations