FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GENERAL

What is Ghetto Radio?  

Ghetto Radio (which consists of the Ghetto Radio station in Nairobi and this website) set up to reveal the fuller picture of ghetto life and culture by being a channel through which ghetto inhabitants, artists as well as regular inhabitants of slums and ghettos, can tell their own stories (through music, graffiti, blogs, comments, news items, stories, poetry, etc.).

Are you a record company?

No.  However, the Ghetto Radio station in nairobi also includes a recording studio and facilities for artists from the ghettos and slums of Nairobi to improve their production techniques and record their music.


EDITORIAL CONTENT

Why are some pages without content?

Content for the empty pages is being edited, and will soon be added to the site.  We decided to launch the new website at the same time as the station in Nairobi, so that people outside Nairobi could listen to the broadcasts from Day 1.  This means we can also offer news items and articles from the ghettos immediately.  However, content for the empty pages is being edited, and will be added to the site shortly.  Please be patient while we work on this.


Why only seven cities?

We intend to add an 8th city, but our focus is on cities in Africa with a significant ghetto/slum problem.  If we’ve omitted a city you believe ought to be included, please send your suggestion to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  (don't forget to explain why you believe the city you're suggesting ought to be included).

Why only radio from Nairobi?

We had to start somewhere, and Nairobi, in the words on a UN Habitat report, “has some of the most dense and insecure slums in the world …with about 200 slums and informal settlements”.  We felt it was the most appropriate place to begin.


Why isn’t the forum split by city?

We arranged the forum by topic, rather than by city, because we do not want visitors from different cities and countries to just discuss views amongst themselves.  Our wish is that people use the site, including the forum, to “cross borders” and local cultures.  Our focus is on slums, ghettos and their inhabitants, but we do not want to create “virtual ghettos”.  The main content on the site is navigable by city for the purposes of clarity, and ease-of-use. 


I’d like to contribute news items and articles to the site; how do I do this?

We’d love to hear from potential contributors.  Send us an e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  with any news items or articles, remembering to include your name and contact telephone number.  Please note, however, that editorial contributions are voluntary, and therefore unpaid.     


ARTISTS

I’m an artist, but why should I join your database?

You don’t have to; the database, when it is built and added to the site, will be a cost-free way to reach a wider audience, as well as a way to make connect with other artists for the purpose of collaboration of just to exchange views, ideas and experiences.


How do I join your artist database?

Drop an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with your name, the name of the ‘hood you represent & city, the genre of music you make (or if you’re a visual artist, the area of specialisation). If you’re from any of the cities in which we have an editorial team (i.e. Nairobi, Lagos, Dakar, Kampala, Harare, Johannesburg and Dar es Salaam), we will forward your details to our team.  They will contact you for examples of your work, which they will upload to our central server.


GHETTO RADIO ACCOUNT / REGISTRATION

Why should I create an account?

Because by doing so you will have the ability to leave your comments about anything you read, listen to or see on the site.  It’ll also mean you’ll be able to participate in forum discussions, as well as start new discussion threads.  Furthermore, you’ll be the first to know whenever we’ve got something new in the pipelines, ‘cos you’ll automatically be on our mailing list (unless you ask not to be included).


If I create an account, what will you do with my personal information?

Your registration details do not leave Ghetto Radio.  We’re not a commercial entity, so we have no motive for divulging the contact details of anyone who creates an account.


FURTHER QUESTIONS

E-mail any further questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and we’ll either respond directly, or add your question, plus our answer, to this FAQ page.