The president of the Population Media Center (PMC) in Shelburne, Vermont, William (Bill) Ryerson has developed extensive knowledge in areas that range from family planning to migration (immigration and emigration). Under Bill Ryerson’s direction, the PMC has produced a number of serialized television and radio dramas to promote values such as equal rights for women in dozens of countries around the world.
Working in Papua New Guinea, PMC produced two different radio dramas from 2011 to 2013. Both dramas unfolded a complex serialized narrative over the course of 208 episodes. "Echoes of Change" aired in English while "Nau Em Taim" ("Now Is the Time") aired in Pidgin. Both of these languages are officially endorsed and widely spoken in Papua New Guinea.
In addition to addressing issues such as HIV/AIDS and environmental protection, "Echoes of Change" and "Nau Em Taim" explored themes of gender-based violence and the escape from unhealthy domestic situations. When compared to non-listeners, listeners of these programs ultimately proved to be two times more likely to seek support for issues that relate to family violence.
