Looking for Light at the End of the Tunnel

Longing for electricity and an Internet connection

Living without power – light, refrigeration, Internet, fans, TV, etc. means adapting to a simpler way of life… and a more difficult existence. I go to bed early and wake when the sun comes up. I eat canned meat and canned vegetables because there’s no power for the small fridge in my apartment. I eat by candlelight or kerosene lanterns. I drink my Nescafe coffee with powdered milk in water heated over a kerosene camp cooker. I inhale countless amounts of carbon monoxide fumes from spewing generators. I beg for time to charge my phone from small shops hosting miniature generators. (1000Le or about .25 per charge). I read by the light of a small, battery-powered headlamp.

At night, Freetown is a dark city. There are no streetlights. Shops are dark. There are no twinkling lights on the horizon from buildings in the city core. Flames from burning garbage at the local dump are sometimes the only visible light. A couple of hotels or bars dot the night with light from noisy generators that compete with loud, electronic music. The hum of distant generators, especially up the hill where the President lives, accompany the slow sweeps of car headlights in the night.

And, I relish the few stolen moments of power whether they’re at SLBC via generator or at a local hotel that usually sparks up their generator during the early morning and later evenings. Electricity is a scarce commodity in Sierra Leone despite the millions of dollars donors have poured into the Bumbuna Hydro-Electric dam and power generation sites. The promise of power is yet to be realized… and it’s a fact of life that no one seems to question – or more accurately, people have lost hope in.

SLBC suffers – along with listeners and viewers – when the electricity from the National Power Authority runs short. (N.P.A., re-named on the street “No Power Altogether” or in Krio, “Na Powa Avva”) Sometimes, because of the shortage of petrol or because the SLBC generator is broken, the airwaves and TV transmission towers fall silent. Static takes over the programming schedule. The voice of the national public broadcaster is quiet… Listeners tune their battery-powered radios to other stations with more reliable supplies of petrol or electricity generation.

To many, this is an appalling situation. And I’d agree except for the fact that this has been a perpetual problem in Sierra Leone – especially since the end of the ten-year civil war. Power was promised by a succession of governments. Donors have supported the idea for almost thirty years. Yet… we continue to exist without reliable power supplies. I can’t help wonder how this country will ever emerge from the dark without massive changes in government, infrastructure, economy, laws, and so on.

I’ve asked myself this question many times, “Is there light at the end of the tunnel?” I believe in the power of the people… I just wish the people had the power.

Hanging in here,
S/

Only in Sierra Leone… I couldn’t make this stuff up!

Today (Feb. 18, 2011) is a national holiday – Sierra Leone Armed Forces Day. And, in typical Sierra Leonean fashion things were a bit chaotic, disorganized and just plain strange and wonderful.

The day started with a march along the famous Siaka Stevens Street in downtown Freetown. Thousands of soldiers, police, firefighters, organizations, unions, nurses, doctors and school children marched past dignitaries including President Koroma standing on the balcony of the Law Courts. The parade was to march down Siaka Stevens Street to a gathering at the National Stadium. Sounds grand, doesn’t it?

As the parade, the President, Ministers and dignitaries arrived at the Stadium compound, they were turned away by a cleaner and security guard who said, “no arrangements had been made, and therefore no one was allowed inside.” Oh my… the palaver that followed… but no one entered the Stadium. Shocking?!

The parade, including dignitaries, got back into their vehicles and drove off leaving the parade to meander, disburse and disband. Apparently, everyone assumed the parade was supposed to go to the Stadium… but no one told anyone that that was not the plan. Goodness… I couldn’t make this up!

Then, the President and a whole raft of dignitaries including foreign ambassadors, arrived at the Wilberforce Military Barracks to open a medical “store” and mortuary. These facilities were funded by African Minerals, London Mining, et al. (A suspicious lot to begin with.) The mortuary was officially named after a retired Major of the SL Armed Forces who’d died two years ago. Interestingly, the Chair of the opening ceremony cited the reasons for the official naming. He went on to describe the life of the Major who’d died… and described how the past military mortuary lost his dead body! He described past experiences at the military mortuary as “undignified, disrespectful and sometimes disgraceful.”

The ceremony Chair assured soldiers, families and dignitaries that with the help of donors the dead would be treated better – hopefully. Goodness… I couldn’t make this stuff up!

Holiday for most… not me.
S/

On The Editorial Side of SLBC

The programming at SLBC continues to evolve… We’ve got new shows, new times and a whole crew of new staff.

Let’s look at radio first.

According to a “2010 Media Use Survey”, commissioned by Fondation Hirondelle and Cotton Tree News (CTN) the peak times for radio listening are between 6.00 and 7.30 a.m. and between 6.00 and 8.30 p.m. That’s no real surprise… and the most important, most reliable and most used source of information for Sierra Leoneans is the radio.

Other statistics from that same report, prepared by research consultant, Graham Mytton, include:

• Radio is listened to by 82% of Sierra Leoneans, 5% more than in 2008 (the last batch of statistics)

• 86% of men and 78% of women are listeners; both figures have increased since 2008.

• Radio listening is at the highest levels in Moyamba, Pujehun, Tonkolili and Kenema Districts. It is lowest in Koinadugu and Kailahun (where transmitters continue to have technical problems)

• Well over half the radio audience did not go to school.

• Most listening is at home. 75% of the listening audience have a radio set at home.

Unfortunately, the program development in radio has been bested by developments on the television side of broadcasting… an interesting and perhaps misdirected approach… but still, “we’re working on it”, as they say.

“Old” radio programs include the former flagship, UN radio program, Teabreak, which airs at 9:00 a.m. and continues to host important news and current affairs issues. It’s probably the most listened to radio program of the day.

Other programs include, Nightline with DJ Bass, On the Spot, Salone Satellite, The Machine, Atunda Ayenda and several other local language programs. Nightline is an interesting mix of “youth programming” featuring local musicians and local issues. It runs from 11:00 p.m. through till about 3:00 a.m. On The Spot and Salone Satellite are news programs that feature reports from the Provinces… and “live to air” reporting from events and activities – usually government-related or NGO workshop oriented.

Television broadcast has seen the greatest change.

From Graham’s “Media Use Survey” we’ve learned a thing or two. Most TV viewing is in the evening. It peaks between 7.30 and 9.30 p.m. That might not be news to most… but here’s what else we’ve learned about the “new” medium of SLBC TV.

• 26% watch TV at least sometimes, an increase from 16% in 2008.

• Viewing is highest in Freetown where 29% ever watch and lowest in Bonthe and Pujehun where less than 1% ever watch.

• Most viewers watch TV in the homes of others or at community centers, bars or cafes. Only 9% of all viewers watch at home.

• Most TV viewers have at least some education; even so, 39% of the total TV audience never went to school.

• Only 26% of all TV viewers, 7% of all respondents, had seen TV on the day before the interview.

The new crop of TV shows include, Tell it to Rachel, Chatroom with Ellen, National Encounter, U Sabi Dance (outside producer), and Sunday Night Variety Show. Now, we’re a long way from HBO, NBC or even Fox TV but it’s a start.

These new programs tend to focus on “gossip” or “congasa” (in Kreole) and are fairly popular. Tell it to Rachel recently featured in-studio guests talking about cheating partners, best friends, make-up tips and even a segment on domestic violence. It’s mostly “light fare” to be sure… but by all accounts via call-ins and text messages, this is what’s popular. Chatroom with Ellen is much the same… a female host interviews friends on topics such as online dating, best friends and relationships and so on. Both of these shows feature “the red couch”, in-studio interviews and call-ins. I can’t say this is the best of TV but again, “we’re trying”.

A new addition to the TV line-up is a program called National Encounter, which features in-studio guests hosted by the Head of Television, Sam Valcalcel. National Encounter is supposed to feature informed debate on issues of national importance… and it follows the same formula as others – studio guests and call-in opinions.

SLBC TV retained several shows from previous incarnations of broadcasting including, Watin de Docta Say, a Kreole language show on health. It’s unfortunately another live, in-studio discussion program – with a doctor – hosted by the previous Head of Administration. A great deal is possible with this type of show and we’ll eventually get to the point where we actually go out to discuss health issues with people on the street.

SLBC journalists do get out and around and one of the TV shows that’s immensely popular is Viewfinder, a local language program that features news and information from the villages and towns across the country. The camera work is shaky and the sound is often inadequate but there’s a sense of “our country” in all episodes.

Still the reigning champion – from an informal survey – is the half hour program of birthdays and obituary announcements. These paid-for announcements seem to be at the heart of a lot of Sierra Leoneans. “It’s a way for us to learn about each other,” says one avid viewer. And, with such a strong familial connection or village connection between so many Freetownians, it’s a way of finding out what’s happening with family and friends.

As I say, we’re a long way off from real public service broadcasting… but “we’re trying” and experimentation seems to be the modus operandi for now. There’s no question we have a long way to go… and one day… we’ll get there.

Still standing... and still trying...
S/

‘Tis the season…

I’ve asked around… and there has never been snow in Freetown. There has never been a Cmas Eve visit down a chimney from the Coca-Cola version of Santa Claus. There are no reindeer. No pond or side street has ever frozen over for an impromptu game of hockey. There’s no ice on the streets – except in the freezers of Freetown’s supermarkets. No one’s shovelling his or her driveways. No one has to scrape the windows of their cars in the morning. The airport has never been “snowed-in”. I don’t see houses decorated with Cmas lights. And, the idea of a snowman is a distant “Hollywood-style” movie recollection…

Sierra Leone is an interesting place to be for the holidays. People are excited… and the mood on the street has definitely changed. There are more people around – those that arrived from the UK or the US before they shut Heathrow and family from the provinces who’ve come to visit relatives in the big city. There’s more traffic. There are more trader stalls on the roads – adding to the congestion, of course. The many Christian churches have ramped up their services. “The Church of the Flaming Battleaxe Evangelical Prophetic Bible Word of the Risen God” (or something similar) is holding services at the National Stadium starting at midnight and running till 5:00 a.m. Shiny garlands of silver, red and gold overflow the baskets that street sellers carry on their heads. One can buy a used string of Cmas lights while sitting in one’s car or taxi from young men in shorts and t-shirts. And, I even saw a Cmas pudding for sale in one of the markets… (“best before” date – sometime in 2009, which might be dangerous)

There isn’t the mass hysteria of shopping, running around picking up last minute gifts, pressure, consumerism, stress, etc. And, I didn’t hear my first Cmas carol till well into December. Right now… three days before Cmas, I can listen to school-age children singing carols in the church around the corner from my apartment. I watch the parade of decorated, honking cars gliding through traffic signalling another wedding ceremony. I smile when a market woman wishes me “season’s greetings”. I’ve attended the first ever SLBC Winter Carnival. And, I enjoy a very bad brass band (think grade seven band class) tinker and blast their way through a rendition of “O Come All Ye Faithful” as they stroll from house to house in my neighbourhood.

I’ve been asking around about Sierra Leonean Cmas traditions… and it seems there are a few. The first response to my informal survey, of course, is the idea of spending time with family. Cmas day is about staying at home, eating jollof rice, pepper soup and maybe some fish or chicken if one can afford it. Many people will watch movies – available from the copyright pirates on the streets. And, most people will rest…

It seems some tribes also have different traditions. My Krio friends, for example, will visit with large extended families on Boxing Day. Some of my Mende friends will do a project together like adding blocks to a building, painting gates or renovating a compound wall. And many of my Temne friends will travel to their villages in the provinces taking provisions and supplies that aren’t otherwise available.

Interestingly, I’ve been given a number of Cmas cards… with pictures of snow-covered, evergreen trees, Santa Claus, Cmas wreaths and even one with a decorated Cmas tree in front of a fireplace surrounded by presents. I can’t help but think these are Hallmark hand-me-downs or dollar store cast offs. Of course, the poetic, religious verses and ever-present references to “persperidy, famelee and gud helth” are always “interesting” to read.

The tribe of ex-pats, development workers, UN staff, and NGO folks have generally ducked out of the country returning to their homes in the UK, US, or Europe for Cmas. Flights, when they could get out of London and in to/out of Sierra Leone were fully booked… and the airport and helipad were abuzz with English-speaking, “pink” people.

I miss some things about our Canadian Cmas season… the snow, seeing my breath as I dash between the heated house to a frigid car, watching “Grapes/Cherry” on Hockey Night in Canada, the decorations, visiting and sharing dinner with friends, a snowfall at night under a full moon, warm fires in a stone fireplace and family, of course. What I’ll miss most on Cmas day is the traditional turkey dinner – with mashed sweet potato, gravy, green beans and Brussels sprouts… Mom’s dinners were always outstanding.

While I’m missing some things… I’m learning about and living with so many others. Sierra Leone is a very friendly, open and invigorating place to be – despite the lack of hockey, maple syrup, ice-covered lakes, snowy lanes and parkas. This Cmas season will feature hot pepper soup, cassava leaf stew, rice, rest and some time with good friends. What more could a guy hope for – for Cmas?

Merry Cmas to all and to all a good night...
Yours
S/

Greetings...

Hello folks... Sorry for the disappearing act. I've been busy - to understate the obvious. Things in Sierra Leone are still pretty crazy, fascinating, frustrating awesome and sometimes just plain unimaginable.

But, I'm still here... and still trying my best. You'll notice a couple - three new posts, which I'll direct you to - down there on the right. I'll continue to update things - when I can, if I can, however I can... depending on...

Hope all's well,

I remain your humble servant,
S/

On public service broadcasting...

Public broadcasters encourage access to and participation in all aspects of public life. They develop knowledge, broaden horizons and enable people to better understand themselves by better understanding the world and others.

Public service broadcasting is a meeting place – where all citizens are welcome and considered equals. It is an information and education tool, accessible to all and meant for all, whatever their social or economic status. Public service broadcasting ensures the public’s right to receive a wide diversity of independent and non-partisan information and ideas. Its mandate is to promote information exchanges and cultural development. It can also help to promote a sense of national identity, foster democratic and other important social values and serve the needs of minority and other specialized interest groups. Public broadcasting must also appeal to the imagination, and entertain. And it does so with the utmost concern for quality broadcasting.

The challenge for the public service broadcaster is to place the audience at the centre of its universe. The audience comes first. This includes believing and trusting in the audience. It means engaging with the audience through different programs but also engaging in direct dialogue with them, being close to their minds and hearts, knowing their priorities, helping them understand the decisions that are made and defending their right to information.

There’s no single international standard or set of guidelines when it comes to public service broadcasting but at least six characteristics have emerged over the years.

1. Universality – services are available and accessible to the entire population in terms of content (languages) and technology, be it radio or television.

2. Diversity – offering a broad program range providing a consistent level of technical and editorial quality that’s educational and informative. Diversity in programming ensures that the public has access to information about a wide variety of issues and concerns.

3. Independence from both the State and commercial interests - programming decisions should be made on the basis of professional criteria, news value and the public’s right to know, rather than by pressure from political or commercial interests.

4. Impartiality of programs - Impartiality is closely related to independence. A public service broadcaster does not promote a certain position or support a particular political party. Exceptions to this impartiality guideline are made on important development issues such as health, education, security and democratic principles.

5. Concern for national identity and culture – in part, the role of public service broadcasters is to build a sense of national identity, belonging and participation. All cultures, past and present, tribes and ethnicities should be reflected in the multicultural nature of broadcasting in Sierra Leone.

6. Financed directly by the public – public service broadcasters must maintain their independence and focus on the public interest. Funding must be public and not tied to editorial decisions or political persuasions. Public broadcasters must be open, transparent and accountable.

Public service broadcasters should also be setting standards – offering a higher standard of journalism, production, programming and editorial content, which contributes to media development throughout the community.

There are some clear and succinct ideas, which can be made about public service broadcasting:

• It is for everyone
• It has a cultural value
• It guarantees a fuller choice
• It serves citizens not shareholders
• Its character is reflected in comprehensive schedules, not in individual programs
• It reflects and supports democracy.

Thus, the programming schedules of a public broadcaster must have:

• news, which is independent, comprehensive and authoritative
• a commitment to current affairs and investigative programming
• a range of documentary programs
• drama which reflects the reality of life in the community
• entertainment which also reflects the reality and interests of people
• sport, as an important part of the cultural expression of the people
• programming for children, recognizing their particular needs and concerns
• educational content
• material which reflects the differences of urban and rural life and addresses regional distinctiveness
• acknowledgement of the traditions and beliefs of the audience
• recognition and active reflection of the language traditions among the people

Trying to keep things "public"

S/