Training

Thorough audience research forms the bed-rock of all Mediae’s media initiatives.  One of the reasons our programmes are so popular with African audiences is because we put a lot of effort into researching what it is our audience wants to hear about and how they like receiving that information.  We also look at what other programmes appeal to them and why.  Once our programmes are on-air, we invite audience feedback, and modify programmes accordingly.

Much of Mediae’s training is informal and on a day to day basis. We believe in capacity being built as media products are being developed and produced. So, for example, we have trained up over 60 Kenyans in the skills needed for top quality, low cost educational television drama production. We have also trained up a team of radio producers – editors, writers, actors, presenters, researchers – for our radio drama in Tanzania.

We also undertake more formal training, usually in the form of consultancy inputs with organisations interested in strengthening their communication activities.

Makutano Junction

On the job training forms the back-bone of many of Mediae’s activities. So far, ten training programmes have been implemented as part of the production process for Makutano Junction – the tv drama series Mediae produces for Kenyan TV, as well as other English-speaking African countries. Capacity has been built in camera and sound techniques, directing, producing, script editing and writing, editing and other post production skills.

University of Reading

Mediae have designed, piloted and now implement a module entitled "Principles of Communication Design for Development", as part of the Graduate Institute of International Development and Applied Economic's Masters Course in Communication for Sustainable Livelihoods. The module focuses on how to draw up a communication strategy and then looks at the production processes of creative radio, video/TV, internet, mobile phone and print within the development context.

Integrating ICD into Tools and Procedures for Effective Development

Mediae completed their input into a pilot phase of a DFID-commissioned training initiative with Wolverhampton University’s Centre for International Development and Training (CIDT). The initiative aims to integrate ICD into training given by DFID to their in-country staff. A modular, two day training course was devised which looks at both Communication for Development theory, as well as some of the more practical tools, alongside a Practical Prompts guide to ICD and development.

Search for Common Ground, Congo

Mediae conducted a 10 day training input with a team of radio producers from Congo and Burundi, who are working with the NGO, Search for Common Ground. Mediae's Kenyan radio soap team from "Tembea na Majira" travelled to Bujumbura and worked with radio producers there on developing their own soap opera in Kiswahili, which aims to promote peace and reconciliation in the area.