by Yacinthe Diène, Senegal, March 1997
THEME = MEDIA
On 6 March 1997, the TV programme "Pasteef" (in the Wolof language - "the right to decide") was in the spotlight. Under the aegis of the African Institute for Democracy (IAD), a public evaluation of the programme's progress was organised in front of an invited audience, consisting of people from many walks of life - politicians, representatives from NGOs and from many women's associations and groups.
It's the first time such an assessment has been carried out by Senegal's Radio and Television Service (RTS). The exercise was chaired by Senegal's Minister of Communications, and by the Minister for Women, Children and the Family.
"Pasteef" is a good name for such a programme as it holds a great deal of public interest. It's a monthly magazine- type programme for women. Viewers see the programme hostess either reading her text or asking the programme's guests, a variety of questions. At the same time, the camera zooms here and there, while filmed sequences are displayed in the background.
Each programme lasts thirty minutes, and deals with people's everyday lives. It makes use of inquiries and reports, to bring information down to grass-roots level. There's usually an invited guest (business manager, civil servant or a political leader) or representatives from women's associations or groups, who "meet" with the studio audience.
Mr.Ibrahima Mané is Editor-in-Chief of the monthly magazine African Democracy. He says the following about the programme: "In Africa, village meetings are frequently held under the shade of the largest tree in the centre of the village, known as the "Palaver Tree." Discussions concerning village life take place here.
"Pasteef" is rather like the Palaver Tree. The discussions between invited guests and the studio audience, doesn't mean a given situation is going to result in immediate change, but people's point of view can be influenced, when decisions have to be taken later on."
As we've already said, "Pasteef" deals with people's everyday lives, which gives it strength and interest. Recently, an inquiry was made among viewers, concerning the programme's impact, and the following comment was made: ""Pasteef" is meant to challenge viewers with problems in their own environment".
On 6 March, when it came to evaluating "Pasteef", there had already been 51 programmes. Subjects covered were: Social issues and Society (18); Politics (2); Health (5); Sports (1); Economy (12); Education and Culture (3); Music (1); Religion (4); Others (5). The programme wants to help women become aware of the vital role they play in their country's economic and social development. Because the programme is about women and what they are doing, the number of women viewers is increasing all the time.
According to Mr.Mané, all those who know anything about television, are unanimous in declaring that: ""Pasteef" has succeeded in getting people really involved. This is because it's a lively programme, covers a wide range of subjects, is well-produced and people are interested in the give and take between the interviewer and the programme's invited guest".
For five years now, "Pasteef" has headed the viewers charts, largely because Wolof, one of the main national languages, spoken by about 80% of Senegalese is used. French is a national language, but this cannot be used in the programme as many TV viewers are illiterate and don't know French. (82% in urban areas and 90% in the rural areas). Wolof is widely used in everyday conversation.
From the word "go", viewers were given the opportunity to have their "say" when it came to talking about themselves, their difficulties and their everyday life on the programme. Mrs.Arame Diop, who created the programme, has this to say about "Pasteef"'s success: "I'm very happy to see that those we often called "ordinary folk" are backing me, and like my work".
Twenty-five years ago, Mrs Diop was making some initial research for her programme, and found interesting and helpful material on producing programmes in national languages, in the archives of the National Audiovisual Institute in Brie-sur-Marne, France. This gave her the idea of the present programme. "The archive material really got me going, because I wanted to launch a programme that would be of a certain intellectual value, but at the same time understood by as many people as possible".
On 6 March, apart from the programme's evaluation exercise, Arame Diop was duly honoured for her valuable contribution to the Media during 25 years of service, having produced many programmes dealing with the situation of Senegalese women. The same day, viewers and communications' experts made the following recommendations:
- 1) Planning: The TV presenter must have a working group to help her, so that she does not have to work alone.
- 2) Presentation: Televise the programme at a time when most people are able to see it. The programme will still have a wide audience even if it is broadcast after 9.30 pm. (Not generally considered to be peak- time viewing).
- 3) Content: "Pasteef" can help women in their struggle against poverty, to improve their education and their health, to take their rightful place when it comes to decision-making and undertaking necessary changes.
- 4) Finance: Taking into account the RTS's limited financial means, it's imperative to find other regular material and financial sources for improving the programme's quality.
The African Institute for Democracy has already promised to finance "Pasteef"'s first 55 programmes, so as to offer them freely to various government ministries, universities, NGOs, and all those interested in women's questions.
END