From January 14 to 18, more than 100 people involved in evangelical radio stations in French-speaking Africa took part in a training seminar in Lomé. On this occasion, participants signed a declaration aimed at promoting relations between evangelical radio stations. They immediately created a Facebook page and discussed the creation of an evangelical press agency and a Federation of Evangelical Media in French-speaking Africa.
Reprint of Serge Carrel's article published on January 21, 2019, on lafree.info
On Friday, January 18, in Lomé, journalists, presenters, promoters, and technicians from more than thirty evangelical radio stations in French-speaking Africa signed a document entitled "The Lomé Declaration."
A Facebook group to encourage collaboration
This document decides on the creation of an electronic group to encourage personal and professional exchanges between participants in the Training Seminar for Evangelical Radio Stations in French-speaking Africa, held from January 14 to 18 in Lomé at the initiative of Radio Réveil (Switzerland). This declaration also raises the possibility of creating a website for the exchange of radio content and an African, evangelical, and French-speaking press agency in the future. Finally, the Lomé Declaration proposes the creation of a Federation of Evangelical Media in French-speaking Africa.
For Alphonse Teyabe, a Cameroonian author of a doctoral thesis on "Church and Media: The Contribution of Evangelical Radio Stations to Mission" and an influential speaker in the field of training, "this declaration aims above all to encourage different radio stations to come together and form a team. It is imperative that we work together to overcome the various obstacles that stand in our way: lack of professionalism, difficulty in promoting holistic radio programs or those marked by integral mission." The founder of several radio stations in northern Cameroon also welcomes the idea of the future creation of a federation of evangelical media in French-speaking Africa, which was accepted without opposition by the participants.
Encouraging a new attitude among radio stations
"This meeting helped break down barriers between evangelical radio stations," adds Emmanuel Ziehli, director of Radio Réveil and organizer of the meeting. Another concern of ours is the generation gap between people born in the 1960s and 1970s and young people who do not identify with older leaders. Our goal is to encourage the emergence of new leaders who can communicate the faith to the younger generation."
Emmanuel Ziehli is planning to organize a second edition of this seminar. It could take place next January in Lomé. "With the population of French-speaking Africa doubling every 25 years, the time has come to pass on the baton," concludes Emmanuel Ziehli. "It is no longer up to the 'little Swiss' or the French to produce programs for Africa, but up to Africans to take up this challenge. Radio Réveil wishes to contribute by promoting training on the ground."
Radio stations from 9 countries
From January 14 to 18, Radio Réveil, a producer of evangelical radio programs for the entire French-speaking world based in Bevaix, Switzerland, organized a training seminar for Christian radio stations in French-speaking Africa in Lomé, Togo, to mark its 70th anniversary. This seminar was organized in partnership with the International Christian Center for Study, Research, and Information (CICERI) in Lomé and Radios Ebène et Développement in France. More than a hundred people involved or interested in radio production from Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali, Benin, Niger, Senegal, and Togo participated.
Serge Carrel
Download " The Lomé Declaration " published on the occasion of the Training Seminar for Christian Radio Stations in French-speaking Africa.
170 religious media actors from French-speaking Africa receive training in "integral radio" in Lomé
French-speaking AfricaIn French-speaking Africa, radio is the medium par excellence. For one week, some 170 representatives of religious radio stations are gathering in Lomé, Togo, for a new week of training. Organized jointly by the Radio Réveil association in Bevaix and Radio Ebène et Développement in France, this week aims to develop the quality of Christian radio stations in Africa.
On Monday, November 25, more than 170 representatives from 72 religious radio stations in French-speaking Africa gathered in Lomé, Togo, for a week of training on the theme "Inventing Integral Radio." In the opening session, Communications Minister Folly-Bazi Katari welcomed the fact that the seminar aimed to "promote excellence in Christian media." He also considered that "this seminar was timely in addressing the major challenges of integrating new information and communication technologies and promoting ethics and professional conduct." The minister also called on religious media actors to "safeguard peace in our countries" so that Muslims and Christians can peacefully attend their places of worship on Fridays and Sundays.
Read the rest of the press release
In Lomé, Christian radio stations in French-speaking Africa asked to reinvent themselves – Togo Breaking News
Christian radio stations in Africa ready to go all-in – Togo Breaking News
Interview with Emmanuel Ziehli, director of Radio Réveil
O2vie, a voice from Africa
French-speaking AfricaThe director of O2vie, Dodji Juliette Kpessou, is a journalist, writer, presenter, blogger, and YouTuber. She lives with her husband in Porto Novo, the capital of the Republic of Benin. Interview.
Juliette, what is your mission on the airwaves?
Since August 2013, I have been bringing the Gospel to everyone through Hosanna Radio, a media outlet of the Protestant Methodist Church of Benin. As head of the entertainment section, I also present the news bulletins.
How did you discover Radio Réveil?
It was in January 2019 at this fabulous training course for Christian radio broadcasters from French-speaking Africa in Lomé, Togo; a melting pot of experiences where I had the pleasure of meeting Emmanuel Ziehli, director of Radio Réveil.
How and why did you create the O2vie column?
O2vie is a motivational capsule based on the word of God. It started out as a written column that I posted on social media and my blog. Now, the audio adventure has begun with Radio Réveil and my YouTube channel. The water of life, a drop every day from God's inexhaustible source. It's a way for me to bring the Good News with the colors of Africa.
You wanted an introduction to this column in a very particular tone.
Radio is the voice; and Africa is the power of the voice, of speech. The tone is chosen deliberately because it recalls the old sage in the moonlight reciting a tale. It is a sign of the mystery of Africa, a voice that invites you on the journey of life. In cinema, this is called the Voice of God.
A word for listeners
We are One in a bond of love. God loves you, and I love you too. Here are my three daily goals: be yourself, be true, and believe in God.
The O2vie show airs on RADIO R every Saturday at 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5 p.m., and on Sunday at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Find all the podcasts here.
Let's invent the all-in-one radio
French-speaking AfricaThe next edition of the Training Seminar for Christian Radio Stations in French-speaking Africa will take place from November 25 to 29, 2019, in Lomé.
Over five days, Serge Carrel ( journalist ) , Blaise Gaïtou (director of YWAM in Niger), Emmanuel Ziehli (director of Radio Réveil), Jean Elchinger (IT specialist), Alphonse Teyabe (researcher and teacher in Cameroon), Franck Jeanneret (pastor), Christian Gaspoz (FM specialist), Andrea Luzi ( sound technician ) , Paolo Jean Bedogni (doctor), and Paul Zagré (YWAM missionary in Niger) will address various topics such as quality, integral radio, radio for souls, unity, etc., in the form of plenary sessions in the morning and practical workshops in the afternoon. See the detailed program.
The training is aimed specifically at:station presidentsand directors, station managers, journalists, technical managers, broadcasters, professionals in the fields of communication, marketing, and the Internet, and directors/editors.
Participating countries: Benin – Burkina Faso – Cameroon – Central African Republic – Congo – Ivory Coast – Mali – Niger – Senegal – Togo
Program and practical information
Registration
#lomé2, let's go!
French-speaking AfricaThe Radio Réveil Association, in partnership with the International Christian Center for Study, Research, and Information (CICERI) and Radios Ebène et Développement, is pleased to announce the second edition of the Training Seminar for Christian Radio Stations in French-speaking Africa, which will take place from November 25 to 29, 2019, in Lomé, Togo.
Emmanuel Ziehli, director of Radio Réveil, was in Lomé (Togo), as well as in Cotonou and Porto-Novo (Benin) at the beginning of June to organize this second seminar focused on the strategic and operational aspects of the effective functioning of Christian radio stations.
A full radio
Following the first seminar in January, which focused mainly on operational issues, it became clear that there was an urgent need to also address radio station managers (pastors and promoters) in order, among other things, to develop with them a vision of programming oriented toward an incarnate gospel rather than a preached one: a form of holistic radio that cares for the body, soul, and spirit.
The strategic vision will take the form of think tanks (integral radio, epidemic prevention, counseling, practical information, etc.), workshops on financial management according to biblical principles, and discussions on the creation of a Federation of French-speaking Christian Media in Africa. The operational focus will offer workshops dedicated to web radio/radio over IP, journalism, sound, technology (studio), marketing, and much more.
Keynote speakers
During his various meetings, Emmanuel revealed the names of several of the expected speakers:
Dr. Alphonse Teyabe from Radio Salaaman in Cameroon,
Dr. Paul Zagré from JEMED in Niger,
Dr. Paolo Jean Bedogni from Radios Ebène Développement,
Pastor Franck Jeanneret and journalist Serge Carrel from Switzerland.
The director of Radio Réveil also met with participants at the first seminar to gather their feedback. Listen to Clément from Radio Providence in Lomé:
and Samuel Atitsio, pastor and director of Radio La Grâce in Lomé:
Announcement of "Lomé 2" on Didier Amen's Radio Hosanna (Protestant Methodist) in Porto-Novo, Benin:
With the participation of theHigh Authority for Audiovisual and Communication of Togo.
Togolese authorities welcome radio training initiative
Christian media in French-speaking AfricaIn Lomé, the seminar made headlines in several media outlets, with representatives of the relevant Togolese authorities praising the initiative behind this training program.
For a week, Emmanuel Ziehli, director of Radio Réveil, Serge Carrel, journalist and trainer, Andrea Luzi, technician, Christian Gaspoz from Radio Ébène et Développement, and Professor Alphonse Teyabe shared their knowledge with a demanding and enthusiastic audience. Each day, workshops devoted to the practical aspects of radio and journalism alternated with plenary sessions opening the debate on issues such as the contribution of evangelical radio stations to the mission or journalistic ethics.
Organized to mark the 70th anniversary of the Radio Réveil association, the meeting was set up in partnership with the International Christian Center for Study, Research, and Information (CICERI) in Lomé and the Radio Ébène et Développement association in France.
On TVT (Togolese Television) in Lomé
Focus on evangelical radio stations in French-speaking Africa
French-speaking AfricaSince 2000, around 100 evangelical radio stations have been set up in French-speaking Africa. Alphonse Teyabe campaigns for the full Gospel to be communicated.
Alphonse Teyabe's comments were broadcast on RADIO R's morning show, the French-speaking Swiss station of the Radio Réveil association.
Read Serge Carrel's article published in lafree.info
For Alphonse Teyabe, "30 percent of Jesus" on evangelical radio stations in French-speaking Africa is enough!
Christian media in French-speaking AfricaWhat kind of evangelical journalism in the public sphere?
Christian media in French-speaking AfricaA commitment in Togo to training journalists from evangelical radio stations in French-speaking Africa and the 20th anniversary of the program Hautes Fréquences on RTS La Première provide Serge Carrel with an opportunity to show that, in both situations, evangelical journalism requires boldness and professionalism.
Reprint of Serge Carrel's "Opinion" published on January 25, 2019, onlafree.info
In our daily lives, there are collisions of experiences that make us reflect on our practice. Last week, I was one of the facilitators at the Training Seminar for Evangelical Radio Stations in French-speaking Africa in Lomé, Togo, a gathering of more than a hundred people organized by Radio Réveil in Bevaix (NE). It was an opportunity to meet journalists, presenters, and technicians from the hundred or so radio stations that define themselves as evangelical in French-speaking Africa. Last Sunday evening, RTS Religion marked the 20th anniversary of Hautes Fréquences, the flagship program of the public service radio's religious programming team, on La Première at 7 p.m.
In French-speaking Africa as in Switzerland, what presence?
In both situations, there is an opportunity to question the presence of evangelical journalists in the public sphere. In French-speaking Africa, evangelical religious radio stations are on the rise. Their programming focuses heavily on preaching the Gospel, reporting on churches, and Christian music. They play an important role within the Church or churches, but also in the public sphere, encouraging the emergence of a common identity and reflection on the major issues of the day. In French-speaking Switzerland, due to the ecumenical and interfaith commitment of the religious programming team and the decline in the legitimacy of the Christian voice within society, RTS Religion's stance leans more toward religious sociology than a Christian view of society. Proof of this can be seen on Sunday evenings with the presence of sociologist Philippe Gonzalez, a specialist in media and religion, rather than a Christian theologian particularly skilled in positioning the Christian faith in a pluralistic context.
Professionalism and boldness more than ever on the agenda
In this collision of diametrically opposed experiences, there is a convergence. On the one hand, African evangelical radio stations are seeking to develop a public discourse that allows them to move away from an exclusively church-centered approach and reach as many listeners as possible, notably by limiting "Jesus" to 30 percent of their programming and giving significant space to development issues and a holistic and integral Gospel (see the Lomé Declaration and the interview with Alphonse Teyabe). On the Swiss side, churches promote—since journalists are employed by the churches and production costs are paid by RTS—a discourse that analyzes religion from Christian perspectives and values, a discourse legitimized by the history of French-speaking Switzerland and by a society that seeks to understand religion without developing any affiliation with any particular denomination.
In these two very different contexts, evangelical journalism has its place. In French-speaking Africa as in Switzerland, it requires professionalism and boldness. It is a matter of breaking out of the well-trodden paths of weak and unarticulated convictions, in order to seek and express a view of the world marked by the values and hope that Christ brings to the heart of our lives. In both cases, this is a real "challenge," as we say today!
Serge Carrel
Journalist in charge of lafree.info
Former journalist at Radio Réveil and on the program Hautes Fréquences on RTS Religion
French-speaking Africa: around 100 evangelical radio broadcasters sign the Lomé Declaration
Christian media in French-speaking AfricaFrom January 14 to 18, more than 100 people involved in evangelical radio stations in French-speaking Africa took part in a training seminar in Lomé. On this occasion, participants signed a declaration aimed at promoting relations between evangelical radio stations. They immediately created a Facebook page and discussed the creation of an evangelical press agency and a Federation of Evangelical Media in French-speaking Africa.
Reprint of Serge Carrel's article published on January 21, 2019, on lafree.info
On Friday, January 18, in Lomé, journalists, presenters, promoters, and technicians from more than thirty evangelical radio stations in French-speaking Africa signed a document entitled "The Lomé Declaration."
A Facebook group to encourage collaboration
This document decides on the creation of an electronic group to encourage personal and professional exchanges between participants in the Training Seminar for Evangelical Radio Stations in French-speaking Africa, held from January 14 to 18 in Lomé at the initiative of Radio Réveil (Switzerland). This declaration also raises the possibility of creating a website for the exchange of radio content and an African, evangelical, and French-speaking press agency in the future. Finally, the Lomé Declaration proposes the creation of a Federation of Evangelical Media in French-speaking Africa.
For Alphonse Teyabe, a Cameroonian author of a doctoral thesis on "Church and Media: The Contribution of Evangelical Radio Stations to Mission" and an influential speaker in the field of training, "this declaration aims above all to encourage different radio stations to come together and form a team. It is imperative that we work together to overcome the various obstacles that stand in our way: lack of professionalism, difficulty in promoting holistic radio programs or those marked by integral mission." The founder of several radio stations in northern Cameroon also welcomes the idea of the future creation of a federation of evangelical media in French-speaking Africa, which was accepted without opposition by the participants.
Encouraging a new attitude among radio stations
"This meeting helped break down barriers between evangelical radio stations," adds Emmanuel Ziehli, director of Radio Réveil and organizer of the meeting. Another concern of ours is the generation gap between people born in the 1960s and 1970s and young people who do not identify with older leaders. Our goal is to encourage the emergence of new leaders who can communicate the faith to the younger generation."
Emmanuel Ziehli is planning to organize a second edition of this seminar. It could take place next January in Lomé. "With the population of French-speaking Africa doubling every 25 years, the time has come to pass on the baton," concludes Emmanuel Ziehli. "It is no longer up to the 'little Swiss' or the French to produce programs for Africa, but up to Africans to take up this challenge. Radio Réveil wishes to contribute by promoting training on the ground."
Radio stations from 9 countries
From January 14 to 18, Radio Réveil, a producer of evangelical radio programs for the entire French-speaking world based in Bevaix, Switzerland, organized a training seminar for Christian radio stations in French-speaking Africa in Lomé, Togo, to mark its 70th anniversary. This seminar was organized in partnership with the International Christian Center for Study, Research, and Information (CICERI) in Lomé and Radios Ebène et Développement in France. More than a hundred people involved or interested in radio production from Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali, Benin, Niger, Senegal, and Togo participated.
Serge Carrel
Download " The Lomé Declaration " published on the occasion of the Training Seminar for Christian Radio Stations in French-speaking Africa.
More than 100 participants at the seminar organized by Radio Réveil in Lomé
Christian media in French-speaking AfricaFrom January 14 to 18, 2019, Radio Réveil is organizing a training seminar for Christian radio stations in French-speaking Africa in Lomé, Togo.
From January 14 to 18, Serge Carrel, Alphonse Teyabé, Andrea Luzi, and Emmanuel Ziehli from Radio Réveil, along with Christian Gaspoz from Radio Ebène et Développement, shared their knowledge of radio techniques, journalism, and electronic media with around 100 participants from ten West African countries. This is a great opportunity for Radio Réveil to forge new links with its partner radio stations and meet new ones.
Read the article published on January 14, 2019, in TOGO BREAKING NEWS
Some pictures