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.
However, specific objectives will include:
- 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
The following questions will guide the study:
- What is the significance of the program in developing rural
areas on the economic and social sides?
- How does the community participate in the production of the
radio program?
- 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.
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