Profiles

Q&A with Jean Fedner Chéry

Strengthening Community Radio in Haiti

RAMAK

In Haiti, 41 community radio stations have organized themselves into a network to improve the quality of the service they bring to their communities. Today RAMAK is the largest media network in the country, covering over 80% of the national territory, reaching remote populations that no other media outlet reaches.

RAMAK stations have built a solid reputation as the voice of their local communities. In times of crisis and emergencies, people count on them to relay crucial information on such matters as the direction of hurricanes, the distribution of flood relief or the location of their polling station. 

Internews is honoring RAMAK with a 2009 Internews Media Leadership Award. RAMAK Coordinator General Jean Fedner Chéry, who will accept the award on behalf of the network, answered some questions from Internews.

What drew you to work in community radio?

I was drawn by the social, educational and cultural needs of my region. In terms of health, for example, from 1996 to 1997 about one third of the population, especially children and women, were struck by outbreaks of typhoid and malaria. In the hospital in my hometown of Grand-Goave, at that time there were two doctors for a population of about 108,000 people. Hence my interest in working in community radio to encourage prevention among the population.

At the social level, beginning about 1991, there was a rapid increase in juvenile delinquency in my community: the emergence of drug use among young people, teenage pregnancy, violence against women. Radio is working to raise awareness on these issues.

At the political level, radio meets my desire to fight against the rise of all forms of dictatorship and political farces—coups, corruption, electoral manipulation, impunity—and the desire to promote a just and democratic society.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. What unique challenges do Haiti’s journalists face?

The biggest challenge is to educate the population: civic and political education, basic education, popular education, information on health, the environment, etc.

What role does community radio play in the lives of everyday people in Haiti? And how does it fit into Haiti’s larger media ecosystem?

Radio plays a very special role in the life of the community: It is a positive guide that helps people become aware of their situation and problems in order to find lasting solutions.

Most of the people managing and running the member stations in RAMAK are volunteers. They are aware and motivated people interested in changing their community, and who share the vision and mission of the radio stations.

How has RAMAK made a difference in the state of community radio in Haiti?

RAMAK is in its infancy, but already the organization has helped to identify the principles that should define community radio in Haiti. It has also participated in the discussion on a draft law on community radio. RAMAK has helped to resolve internal conflicts in some member stations. We have helped to strengthen the credibility of community radio as broadcasters for sensitization or education campaigns. We work hard to bring member stations closer to their community.

Five years from now, where would you like to see RAMAK?

In five years, RAMAK will be a strong organization, able to help its member radio stations to be more autonomous and financially viable in order to develop quality programming for the local population.

What are some stories by RAMAK member stations that have had the most impact?

Radio Saka, which I direct, organized a demonstration from the environment with the community of Grande-Goave. After the demonstration, the Department of the Environment took steps to clean up the river to protect the town from floods.

Another example: The radio station in Fondwa is working to promote the idea of a government ministry for the farming community. And Radio Abriko, in Grende Anse, helped develop a fruit-drying co-operative for the town. Lastly, Radio Klofa Pye, together with a local association of small farmers, is developing a “Code of the Mountain” to protect their environment.

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