Radio Ndeke Luka, set up in 2000 by Fondation Hirondelle, is the most listened-to radio station in the Central African Republic. Broadcasting in French and Sango, it is live 24/7 via a dozen FM transmitters, and works with around twenty community radio stations. It is also present on Canal+ Afrique and on social networks.
For nearly 25 years, Radio Ndeke Luka has built itself up as a public service institution, helping to resolve vital day-to-day problems in a country facing crises and governance challenges. With a team of around one hundred staff, it produces and broadcasts a variety of content including 13 daily news programmes, debates, educational and entertainment programmes, music and magazines.
Financial volume 2023
3,276,715 CHF
Sources of funding
- European Union
- Switzerland (Project contribution)
- Switzerland (SDC – Core contribution)
- Income generated
- UNICEF
- Hirondelle USA
Key figures for 2023
53,000 followers on social media
2.4 million listeners (2022)
125 media professionals trained
23 radio
partners
2 broadcast languages
8,760 hours of broadcasting per year
Context
Political tensions and the economic and social crisis have continued to fuel an unstable security situation in the Central African Republic. In this fragile context, the role of the independent media is essential in helping to bring about lasting peace and reconciliation, both at national level and at local and community level. However, the Central African media sector, characterised by its technical and economic fragility, is highly exposed to the risks of geopolitical manipulation and to the wave of disinformation that the country is facing.
Reliable information to support reconciliation and recovery in CAR
Faced with these complex challenges, Radio Ndeke Luka (RNL) and its radio partners have developed an information and dialogue programme that takes account of the changing political and security context and the needs of the population in terms of reconciliation and recovery. RNL has promoted local information, given communities a voice and established a link between decisions taken in Bangui and their repercussions in the regions. The topics covered include issues of national importance (reconciliation process, sustainable peace) and the day-to-day concerns of Central Africans (access to basic social services, mobility, specific problems of minorities).
Radio Ndeke Luka (RNL) is continuing its efforts to ensure that Central Africans have access to reliable, independent and accessible information that meets their needs, promotes living together and consolidates peace. RNL produces daily news and dialogue programmes, covering all the country’s current affairs. In order to be as close as possible to the communities, the journalists travel and make off-site broadcasts. Specific media literacy and fact-checking content is also produced by a dedicated team. To promote a culture of verified information among the Central African population, media literacy strategies are being deployed to combat false information and hate speech, notably through awareness-raising sessions.
In 2024, RNL’s editorial team will benefit from capacity-building, particularly in the production of new digital formats, investigative journalism and coverage of the electoral process for local elections.
Priorities
- Providing reliable information as close as possible to communities
- Developing its digital strategy
- Media literacy strategy
Activities
- 24/7 broadcasting in French and Sango
- Training for RNL journalists
- Capacity building (editorial, technical and management) for partner media outlets
Our impact
With a 72% cumulative audience reach, Radio Ndeke Luka (RNL) is the country’s main radio station and the only Central African media outlet that produces and broadcasts independent, professional news in French and Sango throughout the country. RNL listeners are very attached to the station, and 91% consider its programmes to be useful or even essential (Immar 2022 audience survey).
Testimonial
“I really liked the on-air coverage throughout the day. It was very professional. Keep training talented and professional journalists, so that we can all enjoy listening to local and national radio!”
Chevignon Wayne Gueret, listener in Bangui, on RNL’s coverage of July 30 referendum vote.
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