Studio Tamani is a daily three-and-a-half-hour radio programme designed to inform and encourage dialogue between “All the voices of Mali”. Since August 2013, it has offered newscasts in 5 languages (French, Bambara, Peulh, Tamasheq, Songhai), a major talk show, news and features on specific issues.
All content is produced by a team of 43 Malian journalists and technicians based in Bamako, and a network of 45 correspondents throughout the country. Productions are broadcast by a network of 83 radio stations and 3 television partners across Mali. The content is also published on the Tamani’s website and social networks, and can be listened to free of charge via a telephone service.
Financial Volume 2024
1 807 154 CHF
Sources of funding
- European Union
- United Kingdom (FCDO – ISF)
- Switzerland (SDC Core Contribution)
- Switzerland (Project Contribution)
- Spain (Embassy)
- Communication Partnership Contracts
- Czech Republic (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Our key figures for 2024
242,000 followers on social media & 540’000 website users
3.4 million weekly listeners
175 media professionals trained
83 radio and 3
television
partners
5 broadcast languages
1,118 hours of broadcasting per year
Context
In 2023, Mali adopted a new constitution, inaugurating its Fourth Republic, but the transition initiated in 2020 by the military continues without clarity on the electoral timetable: in April 2024, the activities of political parties were suspended until July 2024. The United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Mali (Minusma) has withdrawn from the country. Insecurity and the high cost of living persist. Self-censorship is widespread in the media, for fear of reprisals in the form of arrests and bans on broadcasting. In July 2024, Mali joined the Alliance of Sahel States, following the signing of the treaty creating the Confederation of the Sahel, alongside Niger and Burkina Faso, in order to strengthen their cooperation.
Independent radio close to the people, for cohesion in Mali
In this difficult context, where disinformation and misinformation are widespread, Studio Tamani remains the only independent media with national coverage, taking into account the country’s cultural and societal diversity. In 2024, Studio Tamani will be giving more space to culture, information on climate change and sport in its programmes. The fact-checking desk is also being strengthened, with a focus on media literacy.
In 2024 the editorial team covered the national Malian dialogue in Bamako as well as cultural and economic events including the AG’NA festival in Koulikoro and FestiDibi in Bamako. Outside the capital, Studio Tamani’s remote correspondents and programmes covered the concerns of local populations. In Koulikoro, school closures created strong reactions, while in Niono, the editorial team reported on the marginalisation of women and the start of thefarming season. Each month, the studio created over 300 productions in 5 languages.
The studio’s programmes are broadcast beyond its network of 83 radio and television partners. Studio Tamani’s programmes on culture, peace and living together are also widely followed on social networks and the studio’s website. Across the Sahel, the coproductions produced in synergy between Fondation Hirondelle’s three studios – Studio Tamani, Studio Kalangou and Studio Yafa – are broadcast in 12 languages by 202 radio stations and 12 television channels, reaching 7 million listeners.
Studio Tamani, like all other Fondation Hirondelle media, is evaluating its offering and its digital presence. Its new digital strategy is currently being developed, with the possibility of broadcasting programmes on WhatsApp and offering podcasts on various platforms.
Priorities
- Finalize the setup and formats of the digital newsroom
Activities
- Production of a daily 3.5-hour radio programme, as well as multimedia content on social networks and the website
- Training for local media and journalism students
- Training and refresher courses for the editorial team and correspondents
- Revision of the programming schedule and reorganization of the team
- Development of new partnerships to diversify media and information literacy activities and increase their impact
Three new programmes were created in 2024. Club Tamani, a 45-minute show aired on Friday nights and rebroadcast on Sundays, covers culture, sport and
media, with a news review and a media education segment that plays a vital role in countering disinformation. A news analysis show was launched in April, and in July, programmes and reports began to be shared via WhatsApp, expanding the station’s audience and facilitating interaction
and feedback.Studio Tamani broadens its internal capacity development by also organizing activities to support local media through editorial, technical and managerial training. It organizes immersion sessions for journalists and journalism students, notably through partnerships with local universities.
Our impact
In 2024, we organized focus groups in seven localities, the results of which revealed that over 90% of listeners appreciate our programs for their reliability. Our next audience study will be conducted in 2025.
Testimonial
“When I heard that Studio Tamani was going to record its debate programme here in Koulikoro, I was very happy. And when I received my
invitation to participate in the debate on school closures, I was even happier. Because we are proud of Studio Tamani.”
Dramane Traoré, parent of students in Koulikoro, February 2024.