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Jean Fedner Chéry will accept the Internews Media Leadership Award on behalf of RAMAK.
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RAMAK (Rasanbleman Medya pou Aksyon Kominote - Media Network for Community Action)is a network of 41 community radio stations and the largest media association in Haiti. Spread across the country, the network covers close to 85% of the territory outside the capital, Port-au-Prince. Most of RAMAK’s member stations are based in rural communities or small towns and are usually operated and managed by volunteers. RAMAK’s programming is community-oriented, focused on educational and cultural programs, local information, debates and music. With support from Internews, the network has raised awareness of issues such as gender-based violence, migration, children’s rights, HIV, the environment and civic education. Many of its stations represent the only entertainment available in their remote area.
RAMAK stations have played a significant role in their communities and kept Haitians informed on important issues. For instance, Radio Saka, located in Grand-Goave, has provided ongoing coverage of environmental degradation. In March, citizens of this community participated in a peaceful demonstration to urge authorities to mitigate environmental damage. During hurricane season last year, when other stations were forced to shut down operations due to flooding, Radio Eko, located in Pilate, managed to stay on the air and help the community.
Jean Fedner Chéry has been Coordinator General of RAMAK since February 2009 and is Director of Radio Saka. He is focused on strengthening, legalizing and further developing RAMAK’s member stations. Fedner’s leadership has helped strengthen the association and ensured that it will have an important role in the Haitian community.
Internews honors RAMAK for its vital role in informing the people of Haiti and giving them a voice. Fedner will accept the Internews Media Leadership Award on behalf of RAMAK.
