Audience Survey Conducted on “Dewel” Radio ... - FES Ethiopia

events. Adding to this, the managing director of WAAG Communications says,
“Contents come from academic studies by FSS and FSS discussion groups.”
WAAG Communications also look for issues from news papers and events, which
might be found out timely and related to the program. They look for a supporting
document at FSS, conduct interviews with relevant persons and broadcast it. For
example, the managing director of WAAG communications remembers that the
issue of housing problems was first taken from a newspaper article. The FSS
communication officer explains that FSS and WAAG conduct frequent meetings
to make sure that topics are not redundant, and revolve around the theme of the
program, which is development. The previous executive director also mentioned
that it is the role of FSS to decide on the issues. He said this program is a joint
program between FSS and WAAG Communication.
Furthermore, the journalists try to balance the issues when needed. For instance, if
the issue needs the explanation of both the government and the civic society, then,
they conduct interviews with relevant persons from both sides.
The program editors at FM Addis 97.1 also have their opinions on the content of
“Dewel”. The first editor acknowledges that the program is educational, focusing
on social issues and deals with serious topics. He says, “Dewel gives coverage to
topics that civic societies come together and discuss on different forums. We and
other partner organizations might not get access to such sort of meetings to cover
what has been discuss by civic societies. That fills the gap and gives something
new for the audience.” The second editor also says that the program gives
coverage for wide social and development issues. “The issues that they discuss are
very important and cross sectional across sex, age, social status and professional
background. They invite qualified experts who have the educational qualification
and relevant work experience in the topics they raise in their radio program.”
However, they both comment on the issues comparing it to the nature of FM
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