User:Bar Kulan Radio

Bar Kulan is a UN-funded radio station based in Nairobi.

It broadcasts to Mogadishu, Bossasso and Galkayo on FM and to the rest of Somalia on Short Wave, satellite and the internet. Radio Bar Kulan broadcasts 24 hours per day on FM in Mogadishu. It also broadcasts for 15 hours per day on FM in Bossasso.

But the station only transmits for two hours per day on Short Wave and on FM in Galkayo. It is on air between 08.00 and 09.00 in the morning and again between 19.00 and 20.00 in the evening. Bar Kulan, describes itself as “an editorially independent radio station established to promote peace, reconciliation and social cohesion in Somalia”.

It was founded in March 2010 by the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM – the African Union peacekeeping force that supports the Transitional Federal Government in Mogadishu.

In 2011, Bar Kulan was being operated by Albany Associates, a UK-based media consultancy that specializes in media operations in zones of conflict, under contract to this UN agency.

Bar Kulan’s ultimate ambition is to become part of a future Somali Public Service Broadcasting Network.

The radio station’s core aim is to promote peace and reconciliation. It is generally sympathetic to the activities of international aid agencies.

In addition to news and current affairs, Bar Kulan broadcasts programmes on development, peace and institution-building and social cohesion.

It also carries drama, sports and music. Bar Kulan has attracted an increasing number of listeners, especially in Mogadishu.

A survey conducted by Mogadishu Media House in Mogadishu and the nearby town of Afgoye in November 2010 found that after eight months on air Bar Kulan was the third most popular radio station in the area.

52% of respondents said they listened to the station least once a day.

Some Somalis regard Bar Kulan as a mouthpiece of the United Nations and AMISOM, but the station has gained growing respect for the quality and range of programmes that it broadcasts.

It is particularly well regarded for its coverage of local news and sport.

Bar Kulan has 18 correspondents based across Somalia and 32 Somali production staff at its headquarters in Nairobi. It has three production studios in Nairobi and one in Mogadishu.

The station’s drama productions are produced and recorded externally.

Bar Kulan has broadcast public service announcements on hygiene, vaccination campaigns, malaria, landmine awareness, and social cohesion in conjunction with various aid agencies.

The station broadcasts 24 hours per day on 92.0 FM in Mogadishu from a powerful 5,000 watt transmitter. This also reaches audiences in other nearby towns.

In Bossasso, Bar Kulan broadcasts for 15 hours per day from a 1,000 watt transmitter on 89.5 FM. In Galkayo, the station can be heard for just two hours per day on a one 1,000 watt transmitter on 89.5 FM.

Its 500,000 watt Short Wave transmitter in Nairobi broadcasts on 15350 KHz in the morning and 9700 KMHz in the evening.

Bar Kulan also aims to attract listeners in the diaspora through its satellite transmissions and streaming on the internet. Its satellite signal covers Africa, Asia and most of Europe. The station can be found on the Thaicom 5 Satellite on Frequency 3640.