DW Akademie has brought a beehive into the digital world. Local newsrooms are using a new open source software called Colmena – the Spanish word for "beehive". To keep afloat during the pandemic, community media need innovative digital platforms that are free to use and don't need a license.
Colmena is still in the test phase. DW Akademie is working with 12 local media outlets and organizations in Latin America and Africa. The software gives them a tool to make them more resilient in a time of crisis. Colmena is geared to the needs of media production workflows. As a result, local media are actively involved in developing Colmena.
What is the software changing for media workers in the Global South?
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Colmena open source software: Community media brave the pandemic with a digital "beehive"
Unión de Mujeres Aymaras del Abya Yala (UMA), Peru: Mother and daughter go on air
At Lake Titicaca in Peru, Yeny Paucar and her 70-year-old mother Rosa Palomino produce a radio program in the Aymara language. Their weekly show is often the only information source for Aymara communities. "We as women want to preserve our culture and language," Yeny says. She and her mother write their interviews and scripts on their cell phones. The Colmena software makes it easy to do so.
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Colmena open source software: Community media brave the pandemic with a digital "beehive"
Radio Ada, Ghana: Local language on the World Wide Web
Every day, Olivia Serwa Waree from Radio Ada in Ghana translates international news to the local language, Dangme. "I especially want to meet the needs of women from the communities," she says. In times of crisis, she also uses the Colmena toolbox to put content on social media platforms.
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Colmena open source software: Community media brave the pandemic with a digital "beehive"
Boca de Polen, Mexico: Diversity through exchange
The Boca de Polen media network offers indigenous groups technical and journalism training to help them produce and distribute stories. Working closely is important. This means exchanging high quality audio data and ensuring that the exchanges are secure. Colmena makes this possible. "This is how we want to preserve our diversity," says Vladimir Contreras Escamilla.
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Colmena open source software: Community media brave the pandemic with a digital "beehive"
Radio Vénégré, Burkina Faso: Programs for young and old
In Burkina Faso, even the village chief (seated) has become a radio producer: "We all work on the shows at Radio Vénégré," says program director Awa Ouedraogo. Editing has been too complicated, she says, so developing an editing program for cell phones is really important. Colmena will soon share interview excerpts more effectively via the mobile Internet.
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Colmena open source software: Community media brave the pandemic with a digital "beehive"
Remando, Ecuador: Strong women from the rainforest
Jiyu Uyunkar, Kankuana Canelos and Rupay Guanliga from the Ecuadorian women's podcast Remando produce weekly episodes, even in the pandemic. They have a clear goal: to create safe spaces for women. They produce the podcast in a studio in a small Amazonian town. Even though Remando isn't well known yet, with the help of Colmena it will soon be easier to find on the web.
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Colmena open source software: Community media brave the pandemic with a digital "beehive"
Radio Ocaina, Colombia: Culture on the airwaves
Radio Ocaina is traditionally a meeting point and place of community. Since the end of the lockdown, it is once again a space for dialogue, debate and live music. The station is part of a Colombian radio network where sharing content is important. But using free software usually does involve fees. Not with Colmena – it really is a free, open source alternative.
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Colmena open source software: Community media brave the pandemic with a digital "beehive"
Gulf Radio, Kenya: Weather, fish and more
Gulf Radio on Lake Victoria always has the latest news. The Kenyan radio station in Homa-Bay County is one of the most important sources of information for local fishermen. Weather reports and regional events are essential, says radio announcer Susan Odero, and the audience actively takes part. Still, many digital tools aren't designed for mobile devices like smartphones – Colmena is.
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Colmena open source software: Community media brave the pandemic with a digital "beehive"
Muy Waso, Bolivia: Indigenous women and feminism
Feminism, diversity and new journalistic approaches: that is what Muy Waso is about. It is Bolivia's first feminist digital magazine and its investigative reports and podcasts reach people far beyond the country's borders. "Our goal is to show the struggles and diversity of society," says director and co-founder Michelle Nogales. Colmena makes these exchanges easier, especially in times of crisis.
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Colmena open source software: Community media brave the pandemic with a digital "beehive"
Breezy Community Radio FM, Ghana: Prison voices
Inclusive reporting is what you hear when you listen to Breezy Community Radio FM in Ghana. That's why whenever radio host King Ralph Osei Agyeman (left) goes to jail, it is only for business. "I discuss current issues with the inmates there," he says. With Colmena on his cell phone, he'll soon be able to conduct his interviews, edit them and broadcast them as well. All this from one device.
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Colmena open source software: Community media brave the pandemic with a digital "beehive"
Radio Sayaxché, Guatemala: Voice of the people
Radio Sayaxché's broadcasts to a region where the indigenous Mayan population speaks Q'eqchi'. That is why the station produces shows in Q'eqchia' and not just in Spanish. In the pandemic, Radio Sayaxché's is one of the population's most important information sources. Many use old devices but Colmena runs on them anyway. "Both the young and the old get airtime here," says coordinator Aldo Moro.
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Colmena open source software: Community media brave the pandemic with a digital "beehive"
Radio Amani, Kenya: Church radio for everyone
Radio Amani’s programming offers a variety of religious perspectives, reflecting the diverse society of Nakuru County in Kenya. "We want to be there for everyone," says Sister Michelle Njeri, the Catholic station’s director. Colmena will help them get closer, and "we’ll grow as a community station," she says.
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Colmena open source software: Community media brave the pandemic with a digital "beehive"
La Red de Radios Comunitarias y Software Libre, et al. Ecuador: Radio technology is nothing to fear
The Latin American community of radio stations promotes the use of free software and is why it also offers training on free and secure programs. It has a community website as well as a chat group where some 500 members can share their know-how and experiences. Colmena will soon be part of that.
This project is part of the global initiative "Transparency and media freedom – Crisis resilience in the pandemic", launched by DW Akademie and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
