A Journalist Turns His Mic On Haiti’s Grievances
From: Under the Sun
Series: Under the Sun: Haiti Stories After the Quake
Length: 08:46
One of the aftereffects of the earthquake in Haiti is that local journalists have found new freedom. Many are now airing the kinds of political commentary and criticism that used to invite violence and censure-- even death.
The shift comes across loud and clear on Haiti's airwaves, where most people get their news.
Jennifer Maloney brings us the story Haitian radio host and reporter Makenson Remy, known to listeners as "four-by-four" because of his rugged brand of go-anywhere reporting.
After a brutal police beating in 2005, he left hard news behind and began airing music instead. But after last year's massive quake left his city in ruins, and his countrymen in dispair, Makenson returned to the mic.
Now he asks Haiti's leaders: "Where is the change?"
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Piece Description
One of the aftereffects of the earthquake in Haiti is that local journalists have found new freedom. Many are now airing the kinds of political commentary and criticism that used to invite violence and censure-- even death.
The shift comes across loud and clear on Haiti's airwaves, where most people get their news.
Jennifer Maloney brings us the story Haitian radio host and reporter Makenson Remy, known to listeners as "four-by-four" because of his rugged brand of go-anywhere reporting.
After a brutal police beating in 2005, he left hard news behind and began airing music instead. But after last year's massive quake left his city in ruins, and his countrymen in dispair, Makenson returned to the mic.
Now he asks Haiti's leaders: "Where is the change?"
Intro and Outro
INTRO:AZ: Under the Sun on WLRN tells the stories of
South Florida -- on the air, and online.
I'm Alicia Zuckerman.
DG: And I'm Dan Grech.
All this month, Under the Sun is doing stories about the impact of the earthquake in Haiti one year ago.
One of the aftereffects of the quake is that Haitian journalists—particularly radio journalists—have found a new freedom to air the complaints of an increasingly
aggrieved public.
With support from the international community,
including many groups in South Florida, Haitian
journalists are able to say things on the air that
could have gotten them killed not so long ago.
ACT YVES – engine for change ((:03))
“It could really be a powerful engine for change
in Haiti.”
Yves Colon teaches journalism at the University of
Miami.
After the quake, he helped launch a daily news
show distributed to 25 stations in Port-au-Prince.
In Haiti, where 40 percent of adults can't read, radio
allows people to connect with their government, and
to hold it accountable.
ACT YVES - voice ((:09))
That's the only way, really. It is really the only way that people find a voice in Haitian society. It's thanks to radio.”
Jennifer Maloney tells the story of one Haitian radio
reporter who in the year since the earthquake has found a new voice himself.
AZ: You can see photos of Makenson and some
of his colleagues on our website, WLRN UNDER
THE SUN DOT ORG.
I'm Alicia Zuckerman.
DG: And I’m Dan Grech.
We're the producers of Under the Sun.
To listen to all of our coverage of the Haiti earthquake, visit WLRN UNDER THE SUN DOT ORG.
You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter. Look for WLRN Under the Sun.
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