For many of the Congolese people, the situation in their region seems grim. In natural resource abundant Ituri, more than 50,000 people have been killed since 1999. It is easy to see how the common person can lose hope and give up; but, there is a group of people dedicated to keeping the Congo filled with hope for a better future.
This group, called The Interactive Radio for Justice (www.irfj.org) provides a medium with which the Congolese citezens can communicate with government authorities and vice versa. For example, in March, 2007, a question was raised by a Congolese woman concerned about the violent soldiers living in her town of Ituri. "Did soldiers need to continue living with civilians?" Within a week, the head of the Ituri military court announced that he would move the soldiers out of the town and put them into barracks of their own. Go to
Because of the Interactive Radio for Justice, the people can stop being afraid of being persecuted and actually voice their opinions to the government. Using the radio station as a way to speak anonymously, they are able to actually say what is on their minds. Even if the government does not agree with the people and does not do what they request, at least they are listening. The radio station creates awareness for the opinion of the common Congolese citezen. "Even people who perpetrate crimes here listen. And they will be scared. Because when they make trouble, they will know that the citizens know they are making trouble." -Bolemba Mambo, a farmer whose land was taken by the government.
To me, the people who run this radio program are the heroes of the Congolese people because they give the voice back to the Congolese people. When the government does something the people want because of the radio program, they can feel good about themselves because they are fixing the situation themselves. The Interactive Radio for Justice director, Wanda Hall, in an interview with The Voice, (an African news magazine in the netherlands) said, "My career has built around the concept that people have the right to create their own society; where individual voice is respected and the common good is decided through civic participation". In order to get this radio station off the ground, Wanda Hall and her team needed to first construct antennae in Ituri while being under fire by Congolese soldiers. Although being pressured, the team did not run away.
It is because of these brave people who risk their lives every time they put on a radio show that the Congolese people are able to get anything done. They force the powers that be to listen to what the people have to say. I admire the ingenuity of these people to find a safe way for Congolese citezens to voice their opinions and perhaps with a little help, they can create a Congo that satisfies all of its opposing forces.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0322/p20s01-woaf.html
www.irfj.org
Mark
Really interesting. Leave it to someone like you to relate a genocide to a radio station. I think there should be more organizations like this to help not only the Congolese but people everywhere facing difficulties caused by the government. They would probably get shut down, because I'm sure the government doesn't want a radio station full of people talking about what the government is doing wrong. I think this radio station is a great way to comunicate for people. They also make the voice of regular citiznes heard by simply putting it on the air. I also think this is dangerous for the radio station and the citizens on the radio. If their names go on the air, then extremists might go out and do them harm. Even though it might be a little dangerous I think it's extremely neccesary and beneficial. The Congolese need alternative ways of help other than government, since it is not doing much, such as radio stations and maybe even religions. With this radio station, the citizens of the Congo can establish a vision of how their country needs to be run.
ReplyDeleteI really like this. This is a perfect way of showing how globalization can be a solution to the problems within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As a result of technological development and the spread of that technology, even people within the Congo can use it for their own benefit. The IRFJ have found a way to make the views and voices of the Congolese people known to the Congolese government and the rest of the world.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Mr. Filip also makes a good point. It is a very dangerous time for people within the country to publicly voice their opinions. Oppressive or extremist groups could easily kill or harm those who say things they don't like. Despite this danger, I am very happy that some of the Congolese have taken risks for the betterment of their homeland. I firmly believe that great change cannot come without great risk.
The country needs more people like Wanda Hall and her team. They keep the hope of a better future for the DRC alive. Groups like this have provided inspiration to the Congolese and people all over the world.
For the Congolese people, the IRFJ is a great way for citizens to voice their opinions and better their county. Not every country has an organization set up for citizens to better their own country and it is great to hear that the Congolese are utilizing the radio to better their lives.
ReplyDeleteWith this being said, I agree with Filip as well for the simple fact that voicing out against the government can cause turmoil in ones life. If ones name gets out and their opinion about the government is heard, extremeists will take advantage of that person and can inflict pain and torture not only on the person him or herself, but that persons family as well.
Overall, I believe this radio is an excellent way for the public to voice their opinions and help better their country.
I completely agree with AJ on the subject. Globalization has allowed the Congolese to find a voice in opposing the oppressive groups. Fil I must say that I disagree with you. You are saying that that those who are against the oppressors should stay silent because they might get killed. If one wants equality, he/she must be willing to risk his/her life to achieve justice. Jesus is an example of this justice. Jesus was a man who fought for what he believed in and died in the process. Whether you believe in his divinity or not, he was ultimately successful in achieving his goal. Despite the odds, the Congolese must strive to fight against oppression. The Interactive Radio for Justice has been of great importance to give the inhabitants of the Congo hope.
ReplyDeleteTim R
For Fil, Kristie, and AJ, the people who voice their questions to the government are able to remain anonymous to avoid the problem of persecution; but, some Congolese people claim they do not even want to remain anonymous. Wanda Hall said, "At the beginning, it was hard to pry questions out of a fearful populace. But after two years on the air, the program actually draws Congolese who trek to the station to offer up questions, and they aren't afraid to do so in their own names. But the show's producers still maintain questioners' anonymity – they feel it is too dangerous to do otherwise." It seems as though the Congolese people agree with Tim and would be willing to risk their lives to achieve justice if need be. Say there was not a way to remain anonymous and the Congolese people wanted to voice their opinions regardless of the obvious dangers. In this situation, we should not look down on them and tell them what they are doing is dangerous; instead, we should help them, for together, we outnumber the enemy.
ReplyDeleteMark