Moments after the 12 January earthquake struck, a few radio stations that had been decommissioned by the devastating 7.0 tremor managed to resume broadcasting. Many others fell silent however, buried under collapsed infrastructures. Many of the surviving journalists not only found themselves jobless but very often homeless.

Out of this tragedy came of a wave of solidarity and sympathy as dozens of young and at times less experienced journalists took it upon themselves to keep Haitians and the world informed of the situation, hour after hour, day after day.

Showing exceptional courage and dedication, teams of journalists and talk show hosts rallied to the few remaining radio stations that were still transmitting to set up a 24/7 broadcast to inform the public as to which buildings had collapsed, where voices of survivors could be heard and which hospitals were still operational.

Without a functioning nationwide public communication system, the few private radio stations in the capital Port-au-Prince that were still broadcasting, opened their airwaves to an incessant flow of information that undoubtedly saved thousands of lives.

Six months on, although some journalists continue to live as displaced persons in camps and spontaneous settlements, their commitment towards supporting the media in the reconstruction effort remains unchanged.

"Communication will remain indispensable throughout the reconstruction period and radio will be central to this", says Sony Estéras who coordinates a network of community radio stations.

In a country steeped in oral tradition, radio continues to play a predominant role in the lives of an overwhelming majority of people.

Information, whether on health issues or the latest in arts and sports, is transmitted through the airwaves to be picked up throughout the country by radio hugging Haitians.

Today, more than 3,000 radio community stations have resumed broadcasting a non-stop flow of information about and for the community. The capital Port-au-Prince has more than fifty stations that broadcast a mix of news, views and entertainment 24/7. From giving a voice to the survivors in the days that followed the quake, radio stations are now encouraging Haitian listeners and those from the diaspora to take part in an increasing variety of programmes covering some of the many challenges that communities have to face.

Staff from radio stations that had been badly damaged in the earthquake showed a remarkable sense of duty to keep their public informed and a high degree of resilience and ingenuity to find ways to keep their programmes on air.

Basic studios were set up in whenever and wherever possible, in houses left standing or in some cases, under tarpaulins and tents. Their sheer determination was rewarded, both inside and outside of the country. 

Radio Signal FM, which is based in the neighbourhood of Petion-ville, recently received an award from the US National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation (NABEF) for its vital role in keeping the Haitian diaspora closely informed throughout the crisis.

The fact that this radio station gave a voice to the voiceless, and offered an opportunity for them to tell their own stories of survival and fortitude, gave hope to many who were without news of their loved ones. 

"Radio kept us all informed with a sense of togetherness in the darkest hours of the quake", says Sony Estéus. "It will now act as the cement that will bind us together, whether we live in cities or the countryside, as engaged citizens in the rebuilding and development of our country".

The unconditional love of Haitians for diverse broadcasts stems from the days under the Duvalier regime when only a handful of media close to the regime were allowed to broadcast. Those that didn’t tow the line of the regime were promptly shut down.

At the fall of the regime in February 1986, the airwaves suddenly opened up. Requests for broadcasting licenses subsequently mushroomed, and in less than a decade, Haiti boasted more than thirty community radio stations. They continued to grow, ultimately reaching the 3,000 mark nationwide.

"All Haitian media and radio in particular want to play a positive role in the reconstruction of the country", says Godson Pierre, who heads a group of alternative media.

As for Max Chauvet, who owns Haiti’s oldest newspaper Le Nouvelliste, he believes the time has now come for the Haitian press to take a leading responsibility in the rebuilding of Haiti.  "We represent the public opinion and our collective responsibility is to engage and guide debates on issues of national importance". As for President Préval, he has promised to guarantee press freedom in Haiti.