• EDITORIAL POLICY
  • ABOUT US
PML Daily
  • Home
  • NEWS
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Regional
    • Africa
    • World
  • INVESTIGATIONS
    • National Archives
    • Special Reports
  • OpEd
  • BUSINESS
    • Agriculture
    • Tech
    • Finance
  • FEATURES
    • Health
    • Tours & Travel
    • Entertainment
    • Society
  • COLUMNISTS
    • The Suited Penguin
  • SPORT
  • Jobs
  • Magazines
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • NEWS
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Regional
    • Africa
    • World
  • INVESTIGATIONS
    • National Archives
    • Special Reports
  • OpEd
  • BUSINESS
    • Agriculture
    • Tech
    • Finance
  • FEATURES
    • Health
    • Tours & Travel
    • Entertainment
    • Society
  • COLUMNISTS
    • The Suited Penguin
  • SPORT
  • Jobs
  • Magazines
No Result
View All Result
PML Daily
No Result
View All Result
Home NEWS

New start-up EARS fights coronavirus fake news using radio soap operas in rural Uganda

JAVIRA SSEBWAMI | PML Daily Staff Writer by JAVIRA SSEBWAMI | PML Daily Staff Writer
October 14, 2020
in NEWS
0 0
178
VIEWS
FacebookWhatsAppTwitter
EARS: A German-Ugandan start-up gives Fakenews in Uganda no chance with “Corona Radio Soap Operas” – and, at the same time, supports the financing of independent radio stations (PHOTO/Courtesy).

KAMPALA — The East Africa Radio Service (EARS), a Ugandan-German start-up has clocked onto something that other platforms haven’t, which is that to solve the problem of fake news and misleading content on the coronavirus pandemic in rural Uganda.

EARs a radio station representation that gives small and medium-sized radio stations access to lucrative advertising revenues now— uses ‘corona radio opera soaps to provide Uganda’s rural population, which is over 95% with high-quality information about the Coronavirus disease.

The messages are translated in their respective languages via radio stations.

The Start-up Managing Director, Douglas Mutumba explains that the 18-episode radio drama series dubbed “The Pearl” and WhatsApp quiz serve to inform and engage listeners on radio which has remained the king, despite the mobile and digital revolution.

“Currently, information on the coronavirus is mainly provided by the Ugandan Ministry of Health. Since the Ugandan government does not enjoy the highest level of trust in all parts of the country, we are producing ‘Corona Radio soap operas’ with relevant content that really affects people, with many small radio stations throughout the country,” Mutumba said

At least, EARS network of radio stations in Uganda already reaches more than 80 % of the Ugandan population and is, therefore, plays and important part in the education and prevention efforts against Coronavirus, he says,

“It also contributes to countering fake news. In order to communicate information and measures of protection to the population in an understandable way, soap operas for radio and mobile phones are produced together with the stations in 15 languages. The “radio soaps” are broadcast nationwide on small radio stations and are also offered by telephone,” he notes, adding that, “in a WhatsApp quiz, listeners can answer questions revolving around the disease, its causes and associated guidance and ideas after each program and as an incentive to participate, there is always something to win at the end”.

 

The East Africa Radio Service(EARS) was founded in 2019 by a German-based non-profit organisation, MiCT in East Africa and was originally an innovative solution to connect national and international advertisers and aid organisations with listeners in remote regions while ensuring that local radio stations generate revenue.

In this way, EARS provides the basis for media diversity and high quality, serious journalism in Uganda.

Currently, EARS represents 80 broadcasters in Uganda and has already generated advertising revenues of more than €100,000(approximately shs400 million) to local radio stations since its launch in March 2019 in the promotion of various government campaigns in education, nutrition and health.

The Covid program is financed with funds from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in Germany and the Swiss media development organization, Fondation Hirondelle.

Comments

Tags: coronavirusGerman UgandatopUganda

Related Posts

Multi Choice team urging their customers to upgrade through the annual discounts being offered. From left to right is the PRO Joan Semanda Kizza, Nelli Mwandha the head of Customer Value and marketing manager Colin Asimwe.
Photo by Titus Kakembo (PHOTO/Courtesy).
BUSINESS

MultiChoice Uganda customers to get 30-Day Free Upgrade to highest Bouquets on DStv and GOtv

January 20, 2021
38
Bobi Wine and wife stuck at home with relative's one and a half old baby (PHOTO/Courtesy).
NEWS

We’re busy! Two judges decline to hear Bobi Wine’s habeas corpus case

January 20, 2021
96
NBS TV wants upto USD 1.3m over copyright infringement (PHOTO/Screenshot).
NEWS

NBS TV demands USD 1.3m from AlJazeera over copyright infringement

January 20, 2021
541
Flavian Zeija Undermined and Blocked Execution of the High Court Judgement (PHOTO/File).
NEWS

26 High Court Judges transferred

January 19, 2021
389
????????????????????????????????????
NEWS

NRM supporters paint Mbale City yellow after Museveni’s victory

January 19, 2021
282
Workers’ Member of Parliament Dr Sam Lyomoki
NEWS

Incumbent Lyomoki dropped as workers vote parliamentary representatives

January 19, 2021
298






 

 

About

The PML Daily, published via www.pmldaily.com is a publication of Post Media Ltd, a professional Digital/New Media company in Uganda.

Follow us

KIU

  • EDITORIAL POLICY
  • ABOUT US

© 2020 PMLDAILY.COM

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • NEWS
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Regional
    • Africa
    • World
  • INVESTIGATIONS
    • National Archives
    • Special Reports
  • OpEd
  • BUSINESS
    • Agriculture
    • Tech
    • Finance
  • FEATURES
    • Health
    • Tours & Travel
    • Entertainment
    • Society
  • COLUMNISTS
    • The Suited Penguin
  • SPORT
  • Jobs
  • Magazines

© 2020 PMLDAILY.COM

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In