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WORLD RADIO DAY 2024 COMMEMORATION

EyeWitnessNews by EyeWitnessNews
February 13, 2024
in Latest, Opinion
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WORLD RADIO DAY 2024 COMMEMORATION
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RADIO: A Century of Giving Voice to the Voiceless

Statement by SLAJ President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, marking World Radio Day 2024 and delivered at Africell’s World Radio Day Commemoration- Official Signing of Africell Support to 50 Radio Stations Across Sierra Leone.

Date: Tuesday, 13th February 2024 | Venue: Africell Headquarters, Wilerforce Village, F/Town | Time: 12 pm

Opening courtesies…

I am honored and excited to be here as President of SLAJ to deliver a statement commemorating World Radio Day 2024 with the official signing of Africell support to 50 radio stations, including community radio stations, across Sierra Leone.

This is the perfect occasion to deliver my annual World Radio Day 2024 statement marking the day, and I want to start by thanking and commending Africell for this timely and much-needed support. For us, this is a continuation of the Company’s support to radio stations in SL with direct cash and power supply, especially community radio stations in rural communities, for the past 10 years or so.

And in the context of the current economic situation, the Africell support is very timely. To say that radio stations are struggling is an understatement. Radio stations in SL, especially community radio stations, are faced with a lot of challenges. Lack of financial sustainability means that many radio stations struggle to secure operations funding, procure the right equipment, pay staff salaries, and pay annual license fees.

Lack of technical expertise and resources impedes the maintenance and upgrading of broadcasting equipment.

Inadequate infrastructure and frequent power outages disrupt broadcasting schedules and affect signal quality.

With the proliferation of bigger and well-resourced media platforms, including digital and social media, radio stations face strong competition for audience attention and advertising revenue.

According to the Independent Media Commission (IMC), for example, many community radio stations have been hijacked by individuals, mostly with political leanings. The governance structures are not functioning. Lack of community support undermines community ownership.

Addressing these challenges requires strategic collaborative efforts from stakeholders, including the government and its agencies, NGOs, donors, the private sector, and the communities themselves, to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of community radio stations in Sierra Leone. This is imperative as the majority of the population depends on radio for information. In my recent community engagement in the Western Urban and Rural areas, under our ongoing National Democratic Institute (NDI)-funded project on combating disinformation, the majority of the people, including youth, say radio is their main source of getting information about governance and social issues.

Indeed, radio remains the most trusted voice in this era of a plethora of communication channels/outlets and widespread disinformation, fake news, and hate speeches.

Africell’s support is one aspect, there are other areas to be considered for holistic growth and development of radio stations in SL.

So as we join the rest of the world to commemorate World Radio Day, we want to pay tribute to the impeccable history of radio and the powerful and inspiring radio voices that have blazed the trail for generations. It is exactly 100 years since radio as a rediffusion service was introduced in Sierra Leone in 1934, the first in West Africa and the third in the continent following South Africa and Kenya, respectively. From rediffusion service to Transmitter to the Transistor (Medium Wave- Western Area) to Shortwave (the Provinces) to FM later in the 1990s to digital in the 2000s, radio has not only continued to prove itself as very resilient and adaptable irrespective of the technology but also a vital medium for information dissemination, education, entertainment, and participatory democracy.

Today, let us acknowledge those early voices in radio in SL that have inspired generations of broadcasters. The voices of:

1. John Akar

2. Arita Awuta Coker

3. Alex During

4. Antonia Tucker

5. Hannah Neale ( Nee Bright Taylor)

6. Euphemia Mackay

7. Olivia Neville

8. Sylvester Rowe

9. John Davies

10. Kasho Wellington

11. Terrence Terry

12. Dwight Neale

13. George Treason Roberts

14. Ken Millar

15. Sama Lengor

16. Reginald George-Williams

17. Emmanuel Younge

18. Tobangay Sorie Max Kanu

19. Gipu Felix George

20. Coulson Thomas-Bassir

21. Patricia Macaulay

22. Euphemia Mackay

23. Kasho Wellington

24. Chris During

25. Albert Rogers

26. Dennis Smith

27. Francis Gabbidon

28. Theodore Dougan

29. Freddie Jones

30. Jonathan Fitz-John

31. Veronica Wilson

32. Hilton Fyle

33. Josephine Hazeley

34. Shefumi Swill

35. Victor Sylver

36. Mohamed Dabo

37. Balogun Porter

38. Abdul Sesay

39. Adam Saio Kamara

40. Dr. Abubakarr Kargbo

41. Mohamed Alemby-Cole

42. Royston Wright

43. Rpland Buck

44. Mohamed Jaward Tunis

45. Joseph Findlay

46. Patricia Macauley

47. John Sorboh Greene

48. George T. Roberts

49. Chris During

50. Oni Gabiddon

51. Violetta Luke-Decker

52. Agatha Lewis (now Agatha Kamara)

53. Francis Gabbidon

54. Gipu Felix-George

55. Babatunde Roland May

56. Gina Banda Thomas

57. Cyril Juxon-Smith, to name some of them.

Let us also pay tribute to the role of radio during our war years, the role of Radio Democracy 98.1 in the restoration of democratic rule in SL; the role of radio in democratic national elections, especially the Independent Radio Network; the role of radio in national health emergencies such as Ebola and COVID-19; the role of radio in education and entertainment.

On this World Radio Day, let us reflect on the enduring significance of radio as a democratic tool. Radio, with its widespread accessibility and inclusive nature, serves as a powerful platform for democratic discourse and civic engagement. It transcends socio-economic barriers, providing a voice to the voiceless and a platform for diverse perspectives.

In a world increasingly interconnected yet often divided, radio fosters dialogue, facilitates the exchange of ideas, and promotes informed citizenship. It empowers communities, enabling them to articulate their needs, challenge injustices, and participate actively in the democratic process.

As we celebrate World Radio Day, let us acknowledge the pivotal role radio plays in upholding the principles of democracy. Let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting and preserving this vital medium, ensuring it continues to be a beacon of democracy, fostering unity and understanding in our society.

The future of radio remains in our collective efforts to constantly address its challenges. As we embark on this journey to reinforce the foundation of radio stations in SL, let us renew our commitment to amplifying voices, fostering inclusivity, and leveraging the power of radio to build bridges in our communities.

Together, let us ensure that the airwaves continue to resonate with diverse perspectives, empowering communities, enriching lives, and promoting peace and national cohesion.

Happy World Radio Day 2024!

I thank you.

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