Our Voices - Media Impact leverages capacity in Latin America to aid community radio outlets in Bolivia

LAZ PAZ, BOLIVIA. - May 7, 2009 - PCI Media Impact, a non-profit organization specializing in the use of Entertainment Education methodology to promote social change, launched its new community media program, Our Voices. This three year program will help to rebuild the capacity of community radio in rural Bolivia and, in the process, reestablish vital bonds needed for civic participation and democratic institutions. The program strives to build the professionalism of Bolivian radio stations to produce and broadcast high-quality independent programming in native languages, strengthen networking among community radio stations and civil society organizations, increase access among indigenous Bolivian citizens to independent media, and build support for media freedom and civic participation.

Our Voices is bringing together community radio, governmental officials and Bolivia's media leaders to collaborate on a 45-episode radio soap opera series that will reach an estimated audience of over 9 million listeners. Using Media Impact's behavioral change communication approach, these radio dramas incorporate the culturally ingrained power of storytelling with relevant information affecting Bolivia today. A local Bolivian stated, "I believe Radio is the only media in Bolivia that still has credibility. It is of special importance to listeners because people trust the radio to give them accurate, up-to-date information, and allows the possibility of reaching a big audience, especially in rural areas where there is not access to internet, and where local newspapers can not be found". The shows will be broadcast in three languages, Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara, at 72 community radio stations throughout the country, and will resuscitate a vital resource for improving democracy, civic participation and human rights.

Media Impact, in partnership with the Catholic University of Bolivia, will be hosting three regional trainings in communication for social change methodology throughout the month of May; One, four day seminar, in La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba. These trainings will educate 60 local stations in the field of entertainment education methodology, enhanced broadcasting techniques, and the foundation of well developed community content. Upon completion, 36 selected broadcasting stations will receive funding as well as on-going training throughout the 3-year project. Upon completion of the Our Voices community radio program, these stations will have the expertise needed to sustain high-content radio broadcastings supplying indigenous Bolivian's with imperative knowledge to improve human rights and democracy.

"During the past 5 years, PCI Media Impact has invested time growing our capacity in Latin America with just such an aim to launch an ambitious and large scale program like Our Voices. The program's trainings, ongoing technical assistance, production aid and funding, we believe, will produce a final outcome of a sustainable and robust community of media outlets servicing the development needs of indigenous communities throughout Bolivia," said Michael Castlen, PCI Media Impact's Executive Director.

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