STAR radio is an independent news and information radio station for Liberia. STAR radio is a Not-For-Profit Corporation and Non-Governmental Organization registered in Monrovia and managed by a Liberian Board of Directors, in partnership with the Swiss Fondation Hirondelle - Media for Peace and Human Dignity.
According to Article 2 of Incorporation, the purpose of STAR radio is: "to operate a radio station and Internet Website with the objective of informing all the people of Liberia about current events in the country, the sub region and the world, in an independent, balanced and impartial manner. Also, it informs the public elsewhere in the world about the situation in Liberia and the sub region".
This overview highlights STAR's establishments and its operations from 1997 to 2005.
1. ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATIONS
STAR radio was established in Monrovia in 1997. USAID provided the funding as a grant. Fondation Hirondelle (FH) managed the funds and provided technical training required for professional radio broadcasting. Fondation Hirondelle is a Swiss-based media organization for peace and human dignity. It has enormous experience in conflict area operations.
Following its establishment, STAR remained accessible in providing a level-playing field to all political parties, civic organizations and aspirants shortly before and following the 1997 presidential and general elections. The 1997 Presidential and general elections brought Mr. Charles Gangkay Taylor to the presidency of Liberia.
As an independent news and information radio station, STAR operated both FM and SW frequencies and was heard throughout Liberia and beyond; the station also provided news and information on the internet to all, a service especially appreciated by Liberians in the Diaspora.
STAR broadcast in eighteen (18) Liberian languages in addition to English, Liberian English, and French. County Stringers were stationed throughout the country and regular visits were made to the rural areas by journalists based in Monrovia.
A good collaboration and networking in terms of use of facilities for news and program dispatch existed between the Station and international NGO's and other development partners. The Station remained impartial, objective, professional and ethical in its broadcasting. Due to its credible reporting, STAR became the major source of news and information for other media institutions.
A Liberian Board of Directors headed STAR radio. A Liberian administrator and a Liberian Station Manager were already hired under the transition scheme that was in place to make STAR a truly Liberian media institution. By mid 1999, the Station had only an expatriate advisor for technical matters. Throughout its period of operations, no one imposed program content on STAR--not even the Board; program content and news bulletins were solely left with the Station Management.
Not long after its set up, the Charles Taylor-led Government began its clamp down on STAR's operations. The Government revoked the SW frequency more than once, accused the Station of disseminating hate messages against the Government, and illegally closed STAR on 15th March, 2000. Workers were prevented from entering the premises as police who had earlier stormed the building remained stationed there.
The accusation was untrue. All efforts by the Station's Board and Management, as well as donors to have the Station reopened, proved futile. The former President had vowed that as long as he remained president, STAR would not operate in Liberia. A presidential order followed with an ultimatum to dismantle STAR's equipment within 48 hours.
After several months of fruitless negotiations, donors (USAID, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom) disposed of all broadcast materials and equipment in order to halt further damage to them.
2. MEDIA ENVIRONMENT
In Liberia today, the media enjoys freedom, but journalists still do not always have the means to perform adequately; professionalism and the adherence to ethical guidelines remain critical issues. Most of the stations are religious or are music based.
Among all other stations, STAR radio is the only radio station with all the following specificities: broadcasting 17 hours daily on FM & 2 hours on SW, news & information, in 21 languages, with retransmission on our website; people-focused, thanks to our 11 County Stringers and regular up-country trips by Monrovia-based journalists to gather stories, information and programs; credibility and impartiality of coverage of events.
3. INSURGENCY
Liberians United for Reconstruction and Democracy (LURD) began their insurgency in 1999. They were based in the Republic of Guinea. The Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) attacked the country from the South East. The two rebel groups mounted their attacks and caused devastation to the nation's material and human resources. Their objective was to unseat Mr. Taylor.
Conditions in the country got deteriorated. The International Community was obliged to come to Liberia's aid in 2003. Mr. Taylor left the country on August 11, 2003 for exile in Nigeria.
4. PRESENT
Immediately following the departure of Taylor, the station Manager began developing background information on STAR, in order to provide a sound reference for an in-coming Government. The National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL), led by Charles Gyude Bryant, took office in August 2003.
A month following Taylor's departure, Fondation Hirondelle conducted an assessment. Chairman Bryant lifted the ban on STAR radio on 3rd November 2003.
Fondation Hirondelle continued to seek the necessary funding. But it was not until 25th of May 2005 that STAR radio got back on air. Switzerland (SDC), the UK (DFID), Netherlands (MFA), Norway (MFA), and the EU are STAR's current donors.
5. FUTURE
2006 is a crucial year for Liberia. STAR radio's programming is precisely designed to provide the population with awareness on the crucial issues that have an impact on their lives. At the same time, 2006 will be for STAR radio a crucial year for its move towards financial sustainability.
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