admin | July 23, 2018
Mpoki Japhet Kalinga is a dedicated radio broadcaster at Baraka FM in Mbeya Forest-Kadege, Tanzania. After receiving training from Farm Radio International, Mrs. Kalinga started broadcasting programs on women’s issues and health. According to her colleagues, Mrs. Kalinga is a hard-working team player who takes her job seriously.
In this interview with Barza Wire, Mrs. Kalinga shares her experience and reflects on the challenges facing women broadcasters.
How did you become interested in journalism as a career?
I’ve wanted to be a journalist since I was in primary school. I wanted to inform society.
Which kinds of programs do you work on?
I run serious programs on subjects like farming and health. We broadcast to six regions with about three million listeners.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced as a journalist?
My biggest challenge as a journalist is that sometimes I travel very far to conduct interviews. The interviewees may not show up, or there can be very poor communication infrastructure. Sometimes this happened, and I wanted to leave my career. Another challenge is the lack of good equipment and policies that support our work.
In Tanzania, many young women study journalism but do not pursue it as a career. Why do you think this is happening?
In my opinion, girls here do not see journalism as a real job. They just do it on the side and are not fully committed to it. Many girls who want to be journalists know that it takes a lot to get a good story. It is not an easy road.
What keeps you motivated to continue with this work?
I love my job, and I feel proud when the community is informed through my work.
Can you describe one moment when you saw that your radio programs were having an impact in your community?
Programs that have good results make me feel happy. Like when I hear a farmer who changed from traditional farming practices to improved farming techniques. For health programs, I am proud that now women are aware of fistula, which is a curable disease. Before having these programs, women used to hide in the village, and they would be ashamed to see a doctor for treatment.
What is the most important thing you have learned as a broadcaster?
I have learned to be brave. I realized that I am very important to society. Through me, the public is informed. I can improve the community through my talents.
Mpoki Japhet Kalinga hosts Nuru ya asubuhi na sauti ya kulima, or “Morning Light and Farming Sound” on Baraka FM in Mbeya, Tanzania. The program is broadcast weekdays from 7-10 a.m. Baraka FM is a Farm Radio International partner. If you would like to learn more about becoming a FRI broadcasting partner, please see Farm Radio International’s Guide to resources and Partnership agreement here: farmradio.fm.