AudiencScapes

The U.S.-supported Sudan Radio Service is actively encouraging its audience to vote in the upcoming referendum. The station has struggled to find voices in favor of peace if the results don’t conform with their wishes.

By Dinfin Mulupi

As Southern Sudan approaches the referendum that will begin January 9, the Sudan Radio Service (SRS), an independent radio station broadcasting from Nairobi, Kenya, has been doing its part to get out the vote. Its message to listeners: Go out and vote but keep an open mind about the outcome.

The referendum will determine whether the oil-rich region should become independent or remain part of Sudan. It is widely expected that the South will vote to secede. The poll’s results will only be valid, however, if 60 percent of registered voters cast a ballot. The SRS, through its “Let’s Talk” civic educating program, has been encouraging all voters to participate and publicizing the 60 percent turnout requirement.

While some politicians and tribal leaders have threatened violence if the results do not favor them, “Let’s Talk” producer and presenter, Rehema Siama, says the station is trying to spread a message of peace to its audience.

“For the southern Sudanese this is a very exciting and historic exercise,” said Siama. “The listeners question why the North would want to stay unified with the South yet they have fought for over two decades.”

Although SRS does broadcast to a national audience via shortwave radio, most of its audience hears SRS through one FM station in Juba, Southern Sudan. Supported with funding from USAID, SRS maintains an impartial and fact-based approach to its coverage. It has a team of nearly 40 journalists/producers based in Sudan and Nairobi.

Siama characterizes listeners’ comments as filled with emotion. Most comments from southerners declare their intent “to go back to war if the vote goes in favor of a unified Sudan.”

Striving for Fair Coverage

The mission of SRS, according to its website, is to promote peace, reconciliation and development in Sudan. Yet, says Siama, conveying a peaceful message in the current environment has been challenging. The station has grappled with maintaining fair coverage amid security threats.

“I was in Juba three weeks ago and I have to say that interacting with the public was quite difficult,” said Siama. “During interviews no one would mention the word ‘separation’, for fear that they would be attacked.”

“I have had to ignore many of the interviews I have made since they are either one-sided or purely inciteful, especially remarks made by politicians and other influential figures,” she added.

Once the voting period closes, the “Let’s Talk” program will air messages encouraging the public to remain calm and keep an open mind in regard to the vote results.

“We will be telling our listeners that the vote can go either way and that whatever the outcome they should maintain peace.”

Related Links:

Listen to the latest news bulletin from SRS here: http://www.sudanradio.org/audio

AudienceScapes profile of Sudan Radio Service: A Voice for Peace in Tense Sudan

Dinfin Mulupi is a business journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. She is currently the East Africa corresp for an online business paper based in Cape Town in South Africa.
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