UNAMSIL to set up radio station

The UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) is to set up its own radio station as part of efforts to expand its public information office, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a report to the Security Council on Monday.

In recognition of UNAMSIL’s need to set up a countrywide public information campaign, the Department of Public Information conducted an assessment from 13-20 March 2000 of public information needs. On the basis of the team’s recommendations, Annan said, efforts are ongoing to increase significantly the capacity of the UNAMSIL public information office “as a matter of priority”, including the setting up of its own radio station.

The station would help UNAMSIL face a significant challenge in disseminating information on the peace process in a country whose infrastructure has been damaged by years of warfare, Annan reported.

“Radio UNAMSIL is expected to play a significant role in the Mission’s efforts to inform the people of Sierra Leone, independent of any party or affiliation,” he said. Equipment for such a project was donated to the UN in 1998 by the Danish government and has been transferred to UNAMSIL. The public information office would also include units for liaison with the media, video and print production and community outreach, Annan added.