INTRODUCTION

Wolikete FM is a community radio station based in Ethiopia, specifically serving the Wolaita
Zone in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR). Established to
promote local culture, language, and community development, Wolikete FM plays a significant
role in providing information and entertainment tailored to the needs and interests of the local
population.The station typically broadcasts in the Wolaita language, fostering a sense of identity
and pride among the local community. It often features programs that cover a range of topics,
including agriculture, health, education, and local news, while also promoting local music and
cultural events.Community radio stations like Wolikete FM are crucial in Ethiopia, where access
to information can be limited. They serve as platforms for dialogue, allowing residents to engage
with each other and with local authorities, thereby enhancing community participation and
empowerment.It helps us to know how to change our theoretical knowledge in to practical
works which is applying in real world. So, Practical work minimizes the gap between the
theoretical part and the practical one. In this report we tried to explain what we did and
learned during our three-month internship period with the south radio and television
agency (SRTA) in wolkite branch.Wolkite FM 89.2MHz is an autonomous regional mass
media institution established by Proclamation No.89/2005, which is amended and
superseded by Proclamation No.152/2014. The Agency is accountable to the state council
of the SNNPR and the organizational structure of Wolkite FM Branch is composed of
Board of Management, General Manger, 2 Deputy Managers, 7 Directors, 6 sub
processes, co-ordinations and essential staffs. The agency was established with its former
name Wolkite FM in 2005 with three media departments such as Press, News and Radio.
Now it contains two main work processes: News, Programs and Advertisement
Production and transmission and Media Technology Research and Development. The
news, programs and Advertisement production and transmission contains five media and
advertisement directorates and one co-ordination.

There are six sub processes which are responsible for providing Human
Resource and logistics. The six supportive processes are:

1.Media Quality and Capacity Building Supportive Process

2.Human Resource Management
3.Development Plan Supervision and Feedback
4.Procurement, Finance and Property Administration
 5.Internal Auditing Service
6.Human Resource Statistics and Information Archive

There are also the cross cutting issues co-ordinations like Ethics, Gender
Mainstreaming and HIV Prevention, Legal.

The Radio of Wolkite FM 89.2MHz providing 18-hour transmission in Amharic

language and other languages which is broadly spoken in Wolkite zone. Initially
Wolkite FM radio agency provides its service for their customer in 7 languages,
such as Amharic, Kebena, Yem, Mareqo, Hadiya, Allaba, and Sielxe. Now they
provide in 4 broadcasting languages in the cause that the other 3 was taken by
hosanna fm. So currently Wolkite FM providing 18 hours’ transmission in Amharic,
Kebena, Mareqo, and Yem languages. Even if Wolkite FM 89.2MHz providing 18
hours’ transmission, the large time transmission is taken from south FM 100.9MHz
through

Main Activities:

• News and Information: Wolkite FM likely broadcasts news updates,

local and national, in Amharic and possibly other languages spoken in the
Wolkite area.

• Music Programming: They likely play a variety of music genres popular

in the region, possibly including traditional Ethiopian music,
contemporary Ethiopian pop, and international hits.

• Public Service Announcements: Radio stations in Ethiopia often play a

vital role in community outreach, broadcasting information about health,
education, and local government initiatives.

• Talk Shows and Interviews: Wolkite FM might feature talk shows on

current events, social issues, or local topics, possibly with guest
interviews.
• Religious Programming: Ethiopia has a strong religious presence, so the
station might air religious programs, especially on weekends.

• Commercial Advertising: Like most radio stations, Wolkite FM likely

generates revenue through commercial advertising, selling airtime to
local businesses and organizations.

Processes:

• News Gathering: News teams gather information from local sources,

government agencies, and news agencies.

• Programming Development: The station manager and program

directors plan and create the daily and weekly schedule of broadcasts.

• Production: Producers and on-air personalities prepare and record

programs, including news, talk shows, and music segments.

• Broadcasting: Engineers manage the technical aspects of broadcasting,

ensuring signal transmission to the target audience.

• Marketing and Promotion: Wolkite FM likely engages in marketing

activities to promote the station and attract listeners, possibly through
social media, local events, and collaborations with other organizations.

Time in hours Transmission from Languages

00-1 South FM 89.2MHz Amharic
1-4 Wolkite FM 89.2MHz Amharic, Mareqo (Thursday Morning)
 4-11 South FM 89.2MHz Amharic
11-15 Wolkite FM 89.2MHz Amharic, Yem, (Thursday afternoon) Kebena,
(Friday afternoon)

15-18 South FM 89.2MHz Amharic

Table1.0, Time table of Wolkite FM

When we come to technological developments of Wolkite FM 89.2 MHz

radio, initially provides its services by only two computers for each actions
which performed in each studios and office. That means for production
purpose, for on air studio and workstation purpose they have to use only
these computers. Except very few components such as analog audio console
(mixer) and some others, any radio broadcasting technology is not available
at the time.

But now a day, even if they are not supported by new technological device,
thy have the minimum required components and device for FM
broadcasting.

Objectives of the company

1.Creating information prosperous society that can play an important role
in development democracy and good governance

2.Providing information based on government policies and strategies for

promoting national consensus

3.Providing an interactive media service that the society to reflect their point
of view in free and democracy ways
The goals of Wolikete FM Radio :
1. Community Empowerment: To provide a platform for local voices, encouraging community
participation and engagement in discussions that affect their lives.
2. Information Dissemination: To deliver accurate and timely news and information relevant to the local
community, fostering informed citizenry.

3. Cultural Promotion: To celebrate and preserve the Wolaita culture by featuring local music, traditions,
and stories, thereby strengthening cultural identity.

4. Education and Awareness: To educate the public on important issues such as health, agriculture, and
civic rights, contributing to community development.

5. Support for Local Initiatives: To promote local businesses, organizations, and initiatives, enhancing
economic development within the community.

6. Social Cohesion: To foster unity and understanding among diverse community members through
inclusive programming that addresses various social issues.

7. Capacity Building: To train and empower local journalists and community members in media skills,
promoting professionalism in broadcasting.

These goals aim to enhance the quality of life for the community while ensuring that their voices are
heard and valued.

Here are some potential job tasks and projects a journalism student might handle at Wolkite FM,
considering their level of experience and the needs of a local radio station in Ethiopia:

Tasks:
• News Gathering:

* Conduct interviews with local residents, community leaders, and experts on various topics.

* Research and gather information from local sources, government agencies, and news agencies.

* Verify the accuracy of information and source material.

* Write news stories and reports for broadcast.

• Production:

* Help with the production of news segments, talk shows, or feature programs.

* Research and prepare materials for interviews and segments.

* Assist with recording and editing audio.

• Social Media:

* Manage the station's social media accounts, posting updates, engaging with listeners, and promoting
programs.

• Community Engagement:

* Participate in outreach events and activities to connect with listeners and promote the station.

• Administrative:

* Assist with scheduling, logging broadcasts, and maintaining station records.

Project handeld:
• Feature Story: Research and produce a feature story about a local issue, event, or personality. This
could focus on:

* Local businesses: Interview owners and employees about their work, challenges, and successes.

* Community initiatives: Highlight community projects aimed at addressing social or environmental

issues.

* Local history: Research and share stories about the history of Wolkite or a specific aspect of the
community's past.

• Public Service Campaign: Develop and produce a public service campaign on a topic like:

* Health: Promote healthy practices, raise awareness of diseases, or encourage vaccination.

* Education: Highlight the importance of education or promote literacy programs.

* Environmental Issues: Raise awareness about environmental problems and encourage sustainable
practices.

• Interview Series: Conduct a series of interviews with prominent local figures, focusing on their work,
experiences, and perspectives on important issues.

• Music Special: Produce a special program focusing on a specific genre of music popular in the region,
including interviews with musicians or music experts.

• Community Call-In Show: Host a call-in show where listeners can share their opinions, discuss local
issues, and request music.
Here are some expectations and experiences a journalism student could have during an internship at
Wolkite FM, breaking them down by key areas:

Expectations:
• Hands-on Learning: Expect to be actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the station, getting a
real-world experience of radio journalism. This could involve everything from news gathering and
writing to production, editing, and even broadcasting live.

• Mentorship and Guidance: While you'll be expected to contribute, experienced journalists at the
station will provide mentorship and guidance. They will teach you practical skills, share their knowledge,
and offer feedback on your work.

• Cultural Immersion: Being in Ethiopia, you will gain valuable insights into the local culture, language,
and social dynamics. This can enrich your understanding of the news and the community you are
serving.

• Adaptability and Flexibility: Radio stations operate on tight schedules, so you will need to be adaptable
and flexible, willing to take on different tasks and adjust to changing priorities.

• Professional Development: The internship will enhance your communication, writing, and time
management skills, preparing you for a career in journalism.

Potential Experiences:
• News Reporting: Cover local events, interviews, and breaking news stories. This may involve attending
press conferences, interviewing community members, and writing concise and informative news
reports.

• Production: Help produce news segments, talk shows, or feature programs, learning about audio
recording, editing, and sound effects.

• Social Media Management: Contribute to the station's social media presence, creating engaging
content, scheduling posts, and interacting with listeners.

• Community Outreach: Participate in events and initiatives to connect with the local community,
representing the station and gathering feedback.

• Special Projects: Work on specific projects, such as producing a documentary, creating a public service
campaign, or conducting a research project.