Abstract:

Sidama is one of the administrative zones in southern Ethiopia. Its population is about 3.7 million people. Sidama language is the language spoken by the Sidama people, 90% of whom do not speak Amharic/the national language/, or any other language beyond the Sidama language.

Sidama radio is recently established radio station located in Yirgalem town 45k.m from Awassa, the zonal capital, or 320 kms south from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. The radio station (Sidama radio) was established (by Irish aid) and started broadcasting its programs at the beginning of 1998. The radio station is the only station produces and broadcasts it programs in the language (Sidama language) for the above mentioned population either in the country or the region. The station had got very useful experiences to share on the workshop related with its challenges and achievements like the role played to reduce abduction which was one of the major problems in Sidama and awareness creation on HIV/AIDS. The station has been running its activities managing different set back like shortage of training in the field, lack of sufficient facilities and access to modern ICTs.