The Western Balkans Media for Change programme brought to life an idea that the Faktoje team had been eager to implement for some time: podcasts.
E kam një hall (I have a problem) is a podcast series that has already given a voice to various vulnerable groups and addressed highly important issues. From individuals burdened by loans and left unprotected in a corrupt system where no one stands up for them, to women struggling to have children but unable to benefit from the healthcare system – forcing them into endless payments; from online and physical violence and harassment among young people to substance abuse; and the lack of medication and necessary treatment in oncology. We’ve also been covering issues related to education and transportation, and the questionnaire section – the Engaged Citizens Reporting (ECR) tool – has helped increase engagement while also providing valuable leads for interviews and on-the-ground sources.
The connection between the questionnaires (ECR), written articles and then the podcast development has provided strong exposure to various issues and brought us closer to our online audience.
I believe this initiative has not only helped our team develop the podcast section but also to leverage alternative sources such as the ECR tool. It has significantly increased our audience and citizens engagement, proving that people are not only sensitive to these topics but also eager to discuss them.
We are happy and proud that, through this programme, we were able to put into action the entire podcast and video production process based on real-life stories. We stand close to the voices and concerns of the people. We are their voice, sharing their stories – which may be similar to mine or yours – and we are seeking solutions for them.
Can we do more and do it better? Absolutely! But this is a good and meaningful step forward, one that we will continue to build upon.
Klodiana Kapo, Executive Director, Faktoje