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Cassie Biggs's blog

South Sudan: making PSAs that matter

To: The Media Development Network with The Communication Initiative From Cassie Biggs - BBC Media Action on creating PSAs in South Sudan. To respond and critique Cassie's perspective or to add your knowledge on this important issue please either reply by email to this note or click Read More below and comment on the platform

South Sudan: making PSAs that matter

Voice of Hope radio station in the South Sudanese town of Wau lies in a green and peaceful compound, overlooked by an impressive red brick cathedral built in the 1900s.

I had the chance to visit this friendly station last month while training eight partner radio stations to produce Public Service Announcements (PSAs).

Voice of Hope has been on air since 2010 and is one of eight radio stations in the Catholic Radio Network. It is staffed by a small but dedicated group of journalists - some are paid, but most are volunteers.

While Wau town has largely escaped the conflict affecting much of South Sudan, Voice of Hope still faces constant challenges. Earlier that month, for example, it had been forced off air for days when lightning struck the transmitter.

Building capacity

With me on the training course was Nick Miles, a BBC journalist and experienced radio producer, who has worked on our health and radio programmes.

The Media Development Network