Witness broadcast over Burkina Faso’s airwaves

Witness broadcast over Burkina Faso’s airwaves

The "Witness" series of broadcasts, under the FasoMédias umbrella, was launched on 23 May 2015 via more than 30 radio stations in Burkina Faso. National reconciliation in Burkina Faso was the first subject that journalists wanted to address.

In each edition of "Witness", two leading figures from civil society are questioned in succession by three journalists from (private and public) partner radio stations and from the written or online press on a wide range of topics concerning the future of Burkina Faso and its citizens. During the broadcast, the two civil-society experts are invited to interview prospective candidates for next October's presidential elections.

These questions will be asked of the candidates directly, when they are, in turn, the guests on "Debate" broadcasts, which will supplement the "Witness" broadcasts from now until July. "This is a very strong, original concept, and one which will delight listeners" -so say Professor Albert Ouedraogo and Professor Luc Ibriga, the first to speak during the broadcast devoted to the topic of national reconciliation.

Collaboration between radio and written/online press for this type of broadcast is also essential, and could encourage newspapers and the online media to be more assertive in terms of the topics discussed and to adapt them to their own format.

On two Saturdays each month, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., more than 30 radio stations in Burkina Faso are intending to present these broadcasts in synergy, either live or as a delayed transmission. Upcoming topics include Health insurance in Burkina Faso and Energy policy in Burkina Faso.

Follow the forthcoming broadcasts live on the Savane FM website.

For further information, consult lefaso.net.

Recent news from projects on the ground