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Much of the developed world drowns in data. Yet most people in developing countries have never made a phone call and few have ever switched on a computer. They rely on radio for information and education. For the greater part of the world's population radio is a lifeline. Isolation is the greatest barrier to the alleviation of poverty. Radio can reach those isolated by geography, language, conflict, illiteracy or poverty. Millions of dollars are spent each year to create developmental radio programming, yet the audience, the poor, may never hear it. There is no electricity supply in most rural areas and the cost of batteries is prohibitive to the poor. Critical information that can help prevent deadly diseases, improve hygiene, raise agricultural productivity, discuss animal caring skills or warn of an impending flood may therefore never be heard. So too are the fine distance learning programmes that develop literacy and other educational content that could help to provide a release out of abject poverty.
Freeplay radios have become an integral component in a variety of projects in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, covering diverse issues. Please click on the project types on the left side of the page for more information about them.
