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PCI-Media Impact Launches Radio Soap Opera in California

PCI-Media Impact Launches Radio Soap Opera in California

Published 06-26-08

Submitted by PCI-Media Impact

- June 26, 2008 - PCI-Media Impact, a global not-for-profit producer of TV and radio shows in over 27 countries, announced the U.S. premier of the first of four radio serial dramas to be broadcast by the Radio Bilingue network. Radio Bilingue, the Spanish language radio network, will air the programs on six radio stations in California and one in Arizona during the month of June. The program will also be available through its web stream.

The first series will focus on migration issues, with subsequent broadcasts to focus on sexual and reproductive health issues, masculinity/gender roles, and women's health. The series was co-produced by PCI-Media Impact and El Centro Universitario del Sur (CUSUR) of the University of Guadalajara in Jalisco, Mexico.

The first drama, Al Otro Lado: Alla esta el Dinero, Aqui la Vida (The other side: There is the money, here is life), focuses on a group of women in the twilight of their lives, some who have lived and worked in the US when they were younger. The women have started a cooperative-farm at home in Mexico and are asking the government with assistance in building greenhouses. Finally, without government support, they build the greenhouses themselves, with not a single man involved, as they are all working in the United States. The story provides practical information on government services for Mexican migrants and their families. The show was inspired by, written by and performed by a group of women working in one such cooperative.

The second series to be broadcasts is the 16-episode radio serial drama De 10 a 19 (10 to 19). The show includes characters such as savvy Pildorina (Little Pill), Don Falopio (Mr. Fallopian) and gossipy Doña Herpes (Mrs. Herpes) who together mix humor with straight talk, creating a drama that teaches young people about sex, birth control, and sexually transmitted diseases. At every plot turn, Pildorina is quick with a well-informed answer.

Maria Erana from Radio Bilingue, is excited about the broadcasts and believes that the dramas are relevant to the immigrant communities listening to the network.Radio Bilingue's audience is 95% Latino, with more than 50% low-income families.

"Both radio novellas are produced with the Entertainment-Education methodology that promotes social change motivating behavioral change of listeners. Although, both dramas were created in Mexico, and based on the lives of youth and adults in this country, we know that daily life drama has a strong empathy with other Latin-American populations because of the shared ideological and cultural backgrounds," says producer and long-time PCI-Media Impact collaborator, Enriqueta Valdez from University of Guadalajara. "We have the certainty that we will touch the emotional fabric and the conscience of the audience in California, since most of the Latin-American population comes from Mexico."

Youth educated in sexual and reproductive health, entertainment-education methodology, and radio production produce the show and promote the services of the fictional University’s health clinic. The team makes appearances at high schools, answers questions, and gives away condoms, prizes, and information to young fans.

"This show talks about sex and sexual health as it matters to young people," said PCI Media-Impact Executive Director, Michael Castlen. "It's done in an honest, direct and humorous way because we want to engage young people and make sex education approachable and fun. We want young people to take charge of their lives, to be responsible, and that's what this show conveys."

An impact evaluation study will be conducted to gauge De 10 a 19's impact.


About PCI-Media Impact

Since 1985, PCI-Media Impact's programs have addressed the root causes of poverty and have encouraged people to make choices that lead to better health and sustainable development. Working with local partners worldwide, PCI-Media Impact produces carefully researched and culturally sensitive radio and television dramas that combine the power of storytelling with the reach of broadcast media. For more information, please visit PCI-Media Impact's website at www.pci-mediaimpact.org

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PCI-Media Impact

PCI-Media Impact

PCI-Media Impact is at the forefront of innovative social change communications programming. Its pioneering approach uses creative media, the power of storytelling and the reach of broadcast media to mobilize individual, community and political action in the areas of sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, environmental conservation and sustainable development, human rights and democracy.

For over twenty years, its programming has captured people's imagination. Media Impact has trained hundreds of organizations and community leaders in the effective use of media. Working with media professionals, it has completed more than 242 productions, including radio and television serial dramas, comic books, documentaries and public service announcements reaching hundreds of millions of people in 27 countries around the world.

From Mexico to India, Kenya to China, Media Impact has been: "Telling Stories, Saving Lives." For more information, please visit the website at www.mediaimpact.org.

PCI Media Impact Videos:

Click here to watch Who is Media Impact?
Click here to watch Behind the Scenes of PCI Media Impact
Click here to watch Taru Has Changed My Life: Educational Radio Soap Opera

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