16 Radio Volunteers Trained in Pibor Community Radio.

Volunteers of Pibor Radio Community, 90.3 FM, acquired a week long hands on skills training on various topics such as basic journalism and best practices with the aim of building their capacity in radio production and programming.

The training was meant to enable the volunteers who run the radio to acquire new skills that would help them produce useful content for their community.

Trainer Mr. Nichola Mandil introducing production skills to the volunteers; Credit: Paul Night/UNESCO

"One of the reasons why we are having this training is because we want to launch a news bulletin for Pibor FM, something which we have been talking about to our listeners, but it did not take place, because the reporters and producers needed some basic skills that would enable them embark on news writing techniques," Ajoda said.

Mr. Ajoda Odak Pibor FM Station Manager

"This training is the fulfilment of a commitment by UNESCO to help build the capacity of journalists in South Sudan, and especially those operating the community radio stations that were established by UNESCO - including Pibor FM. I hope after the training you will be able to provide credible information to the community of Greater Pibor Administrative Area," Paul added.

Paul NightCommunication Focal Person

Pibor FM's Reporter Johnson Nyikcho Mezo interviews women inside Pibor Main Market on their preparedness for the looming flooding in the area (Photo credit Nichola Mandil/UNESCO

Appointment of a new management team of Pibor FM

As part of the training, the facilitators of the workshop, together with the Station Manager, Mr. Ajoda, identified some volunteers from amongst the participants and were appointed by the Station as part of the station management team.

The new team was made up of a News Editor and his deputy, and the Programme Manager and her deputy. The six members - four men and two ladies will assist the Station Manager in his daily duties of running the activities of Pibor FM, most notably, organizing daily editorial/production meetings, and producing content for broadcast - news and programmes.

Appreciation and Gratitude

"We are grateful to UNESCO for sending the facilitator to Pibor to train our journalists." UNESCO is our partner, and we hope it will continue to support Pibor Radio Community," Stated the Director-General in the Ministry of Information and Telecommunication of Greater Pibor Administrative Area.

The training left a positive mark on the communities of Greater Pibor Administrative Area, as they can now listen to latest news about their communities, news from other parts of South Sudan, and international news from around the world - including latest sport news - national and international.