"Radio broadcasting is an important means for reaching, informing and engaging rural communities in the Philippines. Many households in fact rely on radio for their information and communication needs. Media practitioners are therefore important actors in the communication process, especially in com ... municating to communities about climate change, agriculture and food security. Most of the times, however, media practitioners and rural broadcasters do not have the skills and technical knowledge to report effectively and efficiently about these subjects. The PFRB initiative to hold seminar workshops on reporting climate change and related issues for rural broadcasters and information officers of government agencies in the Philippines aimed to address this gap. As one of the outcomes from the media seminar workshop series conducted by CCAFS-SEA in the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, the PFRB workshop series discussed climate change and agriculture in the context of the communities wherein the broadcasters work. It also enhanced their skills in packaging technical information in messages that appeal to their audiences, the rural communities." (Conclusion, page 19) more

"This short primer is based on the experience of Tambuli, one of the first community radio stations in the Philippines. The primer is divided into two sections: Section A comprises definitions of community radio and an introduction to the necessary technical equipment, to management and to codes of ... conduct; section B is on programming, the nature of radio and its possibilities, and shows the different formats which can be used. Two things are special about the primer: Firstly, it explains what kind of equipment is needed, what it costs and what must be considered when choosing a transmitter, an antenna tower, and a suitable location for broadcasting. Furthermore, it gives advice on studio acoustics and on policies for operating a transmitter. Secondly, it outlines general characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of radio which should be kept in mind by those who have not worked with radio before, such as: 'radio lacks permanence. The audience may not read and re-read messages as in the print press', or 'radio appeals to disadvantaged groups. Being portable and inexpensive it is affordable to the common people, especially to farmers, fishermen and rural audiences." (commbox) more