Straight Talk Foundation’s work in radio is our biggest communication stream, reaching more people than any other medium. The first STF radio show, in English for adolescents, started in 1999. Since then STF has added more than one language a year until today we produce weekly shows in 17 languages for young people (Straight Talk radio) and in nine languages for adults (Parent Talk radio). 
Most of these 26 half hour shows are broadcast on several radio stations each week, so that the total number of shows aired in 2010 was 4,836. For lesser-used languages such as Lukhonzo, spoken along the border with Congo, the Straight Talk and Parent Talk shows are by a large margin the main source of sexual and HIV information. Although we bargain hard for good rates, over 80% of radio spend goes on airtime.

STF youth radio shows in Ugandan languages cover between 80-85% of the country linguistically. Radio is the most important mass media source of information in Uganda. Research by Population Council (2007) and subsequently by STF found that where young people do not have a Straight Talk radio show in their local language, knowledge levels are lower and attitudes to condoms, gender and other critical factors are less positive.  

We adopt a communication for social change approach and much of our radio content is driven by local people explaining their views and how they understand issues such as rape. They provide real stories of what they have seen and suggest remedies and responses. STF radio work incorporates a powerful face-to-face element in gathering data for shows and listening to what people’s issues are. Every contact is recorded in log books and these provide valuable information on the issues that concern local communities.
Our radio team is led by Annette Kyosimiire and is made up of 26 journalists, a studio technician, a letters coordinator and two managers.

Please visit the Straight Talk Radio and Parent Talk Radio pages for further information

Straight Talk Radio shows are created with, for and by young people and address a mix of biomedical, social rights, care and treatment issues.  Topics covered have included ‘Stigma among young people living with HIV’, ‘Family planning’, ‘Marriage and HIV’ and sexually-transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea and syphilis.

The Straight Talk radio shows are broadcast in 17 languages across Uganda. The voices are all recorded upcountry in the linguistic region of the show. A study by Family Health International in 2007 found that STF spends about 10 US cents per adolescent to reach them with radio shows for a year.

Map of 17 linguistic areas covered by ST radio shows

Please click here to access Straight Talk radio podcasts

Parent Talk radio started broadcasting for adults in 2004. Now in nine languages, Parent Talk is Uganda’s most innovative effort to address adult sexuality, an urgent matter in a country where 75% of new infections occur in over-25s.

The shows gently stretch local norms as adults discuss their marriages and sex lives on air. Topics covered through the shows have included ‘Pregnancy and sex’, ‘Managing STDs’, ‘Domestic violence’ and ‘Single parenting for men’.

As with the Straight Talk show, the content of the show is partly generated by listeners but also by nationally-identified drivers of HIV. There is also much content about parenting, particularly helping children stay in school and learn.

Map of 17 linguistic areas covered by Parent Talk radio shows

Please click here to access Parent Talk shows podcasts

STF’s radio team has also produced spots and dramas on bird flu, family planning, civic education for organizations and agencies such as Danida.