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Projects Abroad now have several radio journalism volunteer placements running in St Louis, the island city in the north of Senegal.

Here we are offering volunteers the chance to gain practical experience of radio broadcasting. To participate on this placement a good level of spoken and written French is required.

For volunteers who are on a gap-year looking to get into a related university course, or for those looking for employment following graduation, a Projects Abroad Journalism Project will set you on the right track by adding to your work experience and enhancing your CV. These journalism placements are also suitable for working journalists and experienced professionals who wish to take a career-break or broaden their horizons.

This is your chance to put together a portfolio of journalistic work while living in one of the most beautiful Francophone countries in Africa. Our voluntary journalism internships in Senegal give you access to invaluable work experience and increase your prospects within a highly competitive job market.
Radio Journalism Placements in Senegal with Projects Abroad
Journalism - Looking For News

There are a variety of radio stations where volunteers currently work. Radio Fréquence Teranga is the most popular local radio station in St Louis and broadcasts a wide range of programmes in French and Wolof - the local Senegalese language. Its premises are relatively well-equipped, the staff members are young and enthusiastic, and the station is known for its lively and innovative output.

Radio Dunyaa began as a station in Dakar but now has affiliates in most regions of Senegal. The majority of programmes broadcast in St Louis come from the local studios, although several times a day the station synchronises with the programming from Dakar. This station is less well-equipped, meaning that staff often have more than one role.

RTS, or Radio-television Senegal, is the St Louis branch of the main state-run broadcasting company. RTS programmes cover the entire national territory.

All of these stations broadcast a mix of music, news, current affairs, sports and religious programmes. Volunteers' main responsibilities tend to be in the news sections, but you are welcome to get involved in other areas according to your interests and even to suggest themes for programmes that you would like to assist with.

Skills that you will develop during your placement include researching and writing stories and scripts, reading news bulletins, presenting segments of shows or co-presenting with a local colleague.

You will also have the opportunity to find out about studio production and other technical aspects of broadcasting. Volunteers will sometimes attend press conferences and local events, as well as sports matches and concerts, all of which will provide you with plenty of interesting contacts and a great insight into local life.

When you first arrive at the radio station you will be working with local staff for a couple of days before going into the field yourself to make your own reports before filing them with your placement supervisor who will help you broadcast any interesting news. This makes the placements both interesting and challenging and you should expect to come up with your own ideas for reports and stories.