Since its launch in December 2014, VOD’s new Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system has received an average of 3,000 calls a day from listeners across the country who want to hear independent news and information from VOD. The IVR system effectively expands the reach of VOD radio programming to anyone with access to a landline or mobile phone, and is proving a valuable tool to promote access to information.
“Audiences in the remote areas beyond the reach of the VOD radio frequency will not be able to listen to the radio or watch TV,” said CCIM Media Director Nop Vy. “But people need information to be the informed citizens … so they can turn their mobile phone on and dial to VOD’s IVR number to get VOD hot news updated daily.”
Upon calling the VOD IVR hotline, callers hear a pre-recorded voice menu, which gives them access to a number of news stories, from daily news roundups to feature stories. Notably, callers can also participate in the news collection process by leaving a message with their own eyewitness reports under the “My Report” menu option to tell the stories of what’s happening in their own communities.
“It is very convenient and does not require the audience to know much about technology. The audience can dial the number from any type of phone and listen,” said Hak Davy, CCIM Social Media Officer.
Though IVR callers currently have to pay the per-minute rate for the call, as defined by their telecoms provider, CCIM’s Resource Mobilization Department is currently exploring options that would allow CCIM to offer toll-free calls, thus making calls to the IVR news system completely free for the VOD audience.
