The Uganda Radio Network system works by turning audio into files that can be sent across the Internet. We have developed a software package available free to all contributors to help with this. Once the stories are sent to Uganda Radio Network, they are filed under news categories for radio stations to browse and download. A station can read the transcript of a story (provided by the contributor) as well as hearing his or her short audio resume (or CV) as a sample of vocal style before deciding to download a story.

Uganda Radio Network does not edit contributors’ material. Radio stations will read and hear exactly what is filed to the site. When a story is filed to Uganda Radio Network, an editor will check it for audio quality, content and style, and to ensure it matches the transcript before posting it for sale and download. If the audio quality of the story is poor, or if there are concerns over content or style, a Uganda Radio Network representative will contact the contributor to discuss possible changes. The purchasing station is the radio station that is responsible for checking that the material will not breach the laws or otherwise give rise to liability in the country in which it is to be broadcast.

When a radio station buys an item, is it for a one-time play or several plays? Is there a sliding payment scale for the importance of a story? Is there additional payment for re-runs? Is there additional payment for national airplay?

A radio station is given permission to use the audio it downloads as often as it wishes for one month from the date of download. Material is provided to stations for a one-time flat fee. Contributors will not be paid less and stations will not be charged less – for a smaller story, nor will there be larger payment and fees for a bigger story. If a story breaks important news, a contributor can be confident a large number of stations will download it, creating more revenue.

The contributor holds the rights to the material filed. Uganda Radio Network does not edit or in any way alter it. It is the reporter’s and each purchasing radio station’s responsibility to ensure prior to broadcast the material is accurate and non-libellous.

Yes. If a contributor is working freelance, he or she can sell the material as many times, to as many companies and regions as desired. Copyright law varies from country to country, but as a general rule, copyright is conferred immediately upon creation of a work and it can only be conferred to another party in writing. Work created in the course of employment for another company or individual is usually owned by that employer.

Moral rights are the rights of a creator of a piece to be identified as such, and that the work should not be edited, altered, displayed or broadcast in a manner that is detrimental to the original meaning of the piece, or to the creator’s reputation. Uganda Radio Network works to uphold moral rights.

A sponsored stringer is a reporter who, while not a contracted staff member, is paid a retainer to report first and foremost to a certain station or group, when asked. This does not usually mean the stringer is prohibited from filing to other stations also, but it may mean there are certain competing stations the reporter is prohibited from filing to. If a contributor tells us which stations he would like to exclude from accessing his material, we can build this information into the account.

Uganda Radio Network Ltd. will not ask or coerce contributors to breach copyright or to break existing contracts or agreements, nor will it knowingly be party to a contributor attempting to do so.

For questions on copyright and related issues, we have a list of links and reading material we can send you. We also suggest you contact our partners at the International Federation of Journalists, the world’s largest organisation of journalists body.

Payment will be made directly to a contributor’s bank account based on exchange rates from Pounds Sterling at the end of each calendar month. Radio Stations will be invoiced in local currency, based on exchange rates from Pounds Sterling at the end of each calendar month. Bank details will be asked for during the final part of signing up.

Every time a radio station downloads a story, this information is recorded, and both the station and contributor accounts updated accordingly. Clicking on the ‘Manage’ link will let you view your account status at any time. Contributors can view how much they will be paid at the end of the month, and stations can see how much they will be billed. A station can set a limit on the amount it wants to spend, and can be sent automated reminders when it nears its monthly limit.

Contributors can file if and when they like, and are paid when a story is downloaded by a station. A station only pays for what it downloads. A contributor can decide to agree to being contacted by Uganda Radio Network with story commissions or suggestions. Both contributors and stations must agree with Uganda Radio Network Ltd.’s Terms & Conditions before they can use the service.

To file stories to Uganda Radio Network, you will need a PC with an Internet connection, a microphone and a recording device (tape, minidisk, DAT etc). We recommend you use Internet Explorer 4 and above or Netscape Navigator 4 above browsers to access the site.

If you’re creating a package, you will need both your microphone and your recording device (tape, minidisk, DAT etc) plugged into your computer. With so many different makes of PC, different inputs, outputs, recording devices and microphones, we can’t offer advice on how you might set up your particular recording system. If in doubt, we suggest you contact your PC service point.

Uganda Radio Network will only accept .wav and .mp3 files as these are the most commonly-used file formats for digital audio. When a contributor uploads a file, the website recognises its format and automatically converts the file into the alternative to offer stations the choice between the two technologies.

As a rule of thumb, converting a .wav file into a good-quality .mp3 will create a file about one tenth the size, which helps explain some of the popularity of the .mp3 format.