Governance is complex, even for the most transparent and democratic societies. In many countries, citizens do not know what their government is doing and how it affects them. Lack of information, or information rife with rumour, can stoke resentment and unrest.

Radio is an excellent vehicle to provide instruction on civic education. In emerging democracies, for example, people have limited knowledge of the citizens' roles and responsibilities. Nationwide radio programs can teach millions of people together how they can contribute to building democracy and how to safeguard their interests.

The value of information is so high in sub-Saharan Africa that Lifeline radios have even been used to persuade people to give up their weapons. In Niger, the Radios for the Consolidation of Peace (RCP) initiative was a welcome success. Illicit small arms flowed into Niger during the Tuareg and Toubou rebellions in the 1990s. As part of the RCP project, thousands of guns were exchanged for Lifeline radios.