Grassroots news agency launched for community radio

Simbani, which means "Talk" in ChiChewa, a language spoken in Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique, is a coup for the community media sector in Africa and gives space to voices not usually heard in the media.

The news agency is located at AMARC Africa's head office in Johannesburg, South Africa. Simbani Africa, through its correspondents, collects information where community radio stations are located and feeds them to the news agency.

The news agency also makes use of technical information from various organizations, editing it into radio format, thus making it accessible to a wide audience, including to people in the most remote rural areas.

The News Agency is equipped with an audio production digital studio as well as digital training facilities.

At the other end, selected radio stations where the correspondents operate from are equipped with a computer, software and internet connectivity to enable them to upload and download news.

Stations send information on local issues to the news agency for e-mail distribution. Working languages are initially English and French. These programmes will be translated into local languages by correspondents.

Stories are redistributed via a central audio web site where productions from the news agency will be posted for possible downloads for those members equipped with facilities. The news agency also uses traditional redistribution methods via fax and mailing.

To find out more visit the Simbani Africa website at www.simbani.amarc.org.