The Influence Of Radio Haiti-Inter: The First Independent Radio In Haiti

Radio Haiti-Inter was the first independent radio in Haiti. It was a major success amongst the Haitian people because of its remarkable advocacy and fight for democracy. The station was first founded in 1935 by Ricardo Widmaier for the sole purpose of entertainment, but in the 1960s conspicuous and outspoken Jean Dominique bought the station. He played the role of both journalist and human rights activist. His lasting legacy brings light upon the abuses of the Duvalier's dictatorship; he founded Haiti’s first independent radio station, utilized the language of Creole, and discussed the struggle of democracy and listened to the stories of the oppressed. Dominique set out to begin a station that would broadcast to Haitians of all walks
“Dominique had begun to transform it into a powerful instrument of resistance to dictatorial rule and political corruption,”(radiohaitilives) which drew many people's attention. He created the radio station with a political agenda; that is to remove the political corruption that takes place in the government. He executes his agenda by discussing the struggle of democracy for poor people in Haiti.
Dominique discusses how the people of Haiti were financially struggling. “ Dominique played an undeniable role as a catapult the “Haitian Spring”, a time of great economic and social instability, in the late 1970s”(charlenehuang). Unifying the Haitian people to connect and discuss the fight for democracy, allowed them to perceive the critical shape their economy faced. Dominique used connecting people to tell their stories as a tool to add to the social instability.
Dominque used his journal skills as a way to reach across thousands of Haitians in order to discuss human rights. “As Dominique played the role of both journalist and human rights activist on his radio station”(charlenehuang). Dominique had to create a sense of community with the people to create an environment where they could relieve their burdens due to the government; he accomplished this with his
Fortunately, Dominique took about his journalism skills and discussed the struggles the people are facing in order to establish human rights. Dominiques strategic plan to end the ruling of a dictatorship is done step by step. Creating a radio station is step one; although majority of the country speaks Creole, radio stations only broadcasted in French, the language of the elite. This portrays a picture that the government only serves the rich, exposing its corruption. Step two is discussing the fight for democracy; he uses the station as a powerful tool to take down the government. He joined the thousands of poor Haitians to realize that there economy and poverty was all due to the government, in hopes of getting the people on the same page because together they can take down its dictatorial ruling. And lastly, step three is to utilize his journalism as an advantage to realize the Haitians are all in this together and they are facing the same struggle, the fight for