In Haiti, 'video has not killed the radio star'

Since the introduction of battery-operated transistor receivers in the 1960’s, radio has been the main media in Haiti. American missionaries donated the first transistor radios, hoping to convert the masses through the 24-hour evangelical programming on Radio Lumière. But in the hellish years of the Duvalier dictatorship, Haitians far preferred the radio programs in Creole broadcast on Radio Haiti Inter by legendary opposition figure Jean Dominique, to being constantly reminded about hell awaiting them if they did not become Protestant.

When Baby Doc fled in 1986, finally ending the Duvalier era, independent radios flowered and have been a fixture in Haitian daily life ever since.

Haitians are not passive listeners, either. Not only do many shows rely on call-in contributors, but many Haitians have taken to broadcasting themselves. Broadcasting material and operations are relatively inexpensive, so very small groups of people can mount and operate local radios. Thus, there are hundreds of radio stations in Haiti. They closely mirror society in almost all its political, religious, and social variations.

Msnbc News