Community Newsletter & Radio

Project Summary
Idikelethu local/community newspaper

Idikelethu newspaper is a local newspaper published in the local language IsiXhosa. Its challenges are in getting quality local stories, increase in circulation and an improvement in the beats covered to include health and the environment. The quality of the publication also needs improvement in the editorial direction. It is proposed that Students in the Department can play a role in the improvement of stories for the paper, by researching and submitting articles to the paper.

There is need for research into the impact of the paper in the community. Research needs to be conducted on circulation, content and costs. Further, the paper is currently not visible. The circulation sales points are not well known, research and suggestions as to how the paper may increase its circulation, advertising base and income needs to be conducted.

Can this paper help increase literacy levels, around Alice? This is a very interesting longitudinal research project which can be carried out.

Radio Forte Community radio
Radio Forte is a Community radio station based at the University of Forte Hare. Like all radio stations, it is faced with declining audience figures. We would like to conduct an audience survey, in order to improve programs.

In addition to this, we would like to conduct an experiment on radio therapy. We would like to have a special program for those of our listeners who are suffering from HIV/AIDS or are bed ridden. The experiment would seek to give these ill people a voice through which they can tell their stories or to give any advice to others in similar circumstances.