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National elections in 2009 – How do I prepare for reporting on these elections? Which topics are relevant for voters? How do I report on party programs instead of just covering campaigning events? What tips and tricks can I use in interviews to get direct answers? These and other questions have been asked by the participants of the “Election Reporting” radio workshop which took place from the 6 to the 16 of June in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In cooperation with the Deutsche Welle Academy (LINK), the KAS Media Programme organised a workshop, which brought together 13 radio journalists who not only came from different provinces of South Africa, but also had different backgrounds in view of their jobs: some work for small rural stations, some for well-known community radios with widespread coverage, and others for private, commercial radio stations. The participants covered the current radio scene in South Africa.

As a lead-in to the topic „Election Reporting“, several speakers presented the theoretical basis for further talking about the xenophobia issue, voting behaviour or the economic situation. The discussion on these topics was then part of the practical phase of the workshop. From text production, to searching for the right questions in interviews, to the basic criteria of the different radio formats, to exercises in the field – the participants received training in various elements of producing radio. In regard to the importance of the topic of xenophobia, one of the practical training sessions was held at the refugee camp in Glenvista which was build up after the attacks on African immigrants. The gathered impressions were used to create a new Blog. Besides the training in election reporting, the workshop provided an insight into the diverse potential of blogging.

Divided up into four teams, the journalists eventually produced their radio pieces and integrated various radio formats. Over the last days, the conference room was changed into a cutting room, where the participants, assisted by the trainers , finally polished up their work.