I recently attended the annual IBS Conference in
I guess this is one of the main reasons why development radio appeals to me. There are still huge regions across the world where traditional AM/FM/SW broadcasting is still very much king. While many western kids are turning their old radios into landfill – traditional broadcasting is still highly valued in the so called “third world”. Everyday, development radio imparts messages of real substance to millions of receptive, appreciative listeners.
There’s been quite a bit of debate for and against the fabled “$100.00 computer” that’s being designed by MIT for educational use in developing countries. The intention is to create a super-cheap Linux-based, full-screen, full-colour laptop with WiFi capabilities, USB ports, a 500MHz processor, and one gigabyte storage.
A noble enough concept – but how about a “$5.00 wind-up radio” to accompany it?
In terms of education, radio represents a far more practical method of distributing information – especially to highly illiterate populations. It affordably reaches across huge distances and follows the tradition of oral learning that’s fundamental to many African nations. Besides, a radio set doesn’t represent the same risk of theft that a snazzy new computer does.
Sure, wifi-computers and cellular phones open up many exciting new possibilities, but in my opinion the most interesting technological advancements in terms of development are not in new methods of transmitting information, but new ways of receiving old formats. Sir Trevor Baylis should be canonised as well as Knighted for his wind-up radio. What a fantastically simple – yet powerful invention. In regions where electricity is scarce and batteries are often prohibitively expensive, wind-up / solar powered radio sets provide an almost infinite means of communication where it’s needed most. (Green techno-geeks should check out the new “Trevor Baylis Eco Media Player” www.ecomediaplayer.com )
Although it’s easy to get carried away with all the latest radio gizmos and bolted-on extras we shouldn’t forget that all we’re ever really going to do is deliver sound to a pair of ears. (That is, until Apple plugs directly into your temporal lobes – and I’ll be first in line for that upgrade). Good old fashion radio is already a superb conveyer of informative messages and not necessarily in a didactic, “teacher to student” style. There are many examples of NGO’s delivering entertaining and educational radio dramas and programmes in developing nations across the world. However, the radios needed to hear these excellent productions are often in short supply. So, although the “$100.00 computer” is certainly a worthwhile endeavour – wouldn’t it be great to also have wind-up radio’s produced at a low enough cost to enable mass distribution to where they’re needed most?
For more information about wind-up radio in developing regions, check out the The Freeplay Foundation at; http://www.freeplayfoundation.org
Tagged: Development, new york, radio