Radio ERGO gives a voice to the people of Somalia
Radio ERGO, which broadcasts vital humanitarian information to the Somali public, airs for the first time on 1 July under the auspices of IMS Productions ApS
With daily one-hour broadcasts, the former IRIN-run humanitarian radio service has been providing its Somali listeners within the country and in refugee camps along the borders in the neighbouring countries with high quality programming since 2008.
Radio ERGO provides the Somali population with valuable and life-saving information through programming on issues that include health and HIV/AIDS, education, conflict prevention, protection, gender equality, employment opportunities and environmental protection. This diverse set of topics enables the Somali listeners to make better informed decisions in their communities and for their families.
From 1 July, the service will continue broadcasting with the support of IMS Productions Aps, a daughter company of International Media Support, and run by former BBC journalist Louise Tunbridge who has been with the service since its beginning. With a view to strengthening content, IMS will be working with local partners to upgrade the skills of 35 Somali journalists on safety and protection, humanitarian reporting and the use of new technology.
A trusted service in a difficult context
The word Ergo has great significance in the Somali language. It carries the essential meaning of mediators or envoys in the interest of people in need, and can also refer to those who mediate in conflicts.
Running a radio service that broadcasts in one of the most violent countries in the world is no easy task. The war-stricken country has been without a central government for two decades and continues to struggle with internal conflicts between local clans and armed groups.
While many other radio services focus on politics and news, Radio ERGO only broadcasts humanitarian issues and topics related to the everyday lives of Somalis. This makes it less a target for extremist groups and enables the radio to collect content from all parts of the country. According to project coordinator Louise Tunbridge the radio service is a trusted source of information among the Somalis:
Over the years the radio service achieved a reputation of independence. We are apolitical, and people trust us. Our service has a reputation of credibility, balance and fairness in a very difficult context, she says in an interview with IMS.
Working closely with the local community
A recent survey said the radio is listened to by 70% of the Somalis, and despite its difficult working conditions, Louise Tunbridge sees great future potential for the radio, accentuated also by the support of IMS:
“It’s a fantastic project with a group of extremely dedicated people. Now in collaboration with IMS Productions Aps I think it has huge potential. We’re moving into new areas, collaborating closely with NGO’s operating in Somalia, and working more closely with radios around Somalia to provide a really good information service to Somalis.”
With a network of professionally trained and highly motivated Somali journalists, the humanitarian radio service stands out as a vital component in ensuring that Somalis have access to quality information. Although Radio ERGO broadcasts out of Nairobi, the radio has stringers across the country which give a voice to the people in every region by engaging with ordinary people, health personnel and Somali doctors who provide valuable health-related information.
IMS supports Radio ERGO through its daughter company IMS Productions ApS with a branch office in Kenya.
