WORLD RADIO DAY: RADIO REMAINS ESSENTIAL MEANS OF COMMUNICATION — ANALYSTS
REPORTER: CHUKWUKA AGUKWE
Some stakeholders in the broadcast media industry have described Radio as a veritable meduim of communication that stands the taste of time.
They made the assertion in an interview with Radio Nigeria in Owerri, Imo State on the occasion of the World Radio Day.
for them, all over the world, Radio is one of the popular ways to exchange information and educate people.
The world Radio day is celebrated on the 13th of February every year by the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO.
The Day is a global observance and first World Radio Day was officially celebrated in 2012.
On this day, Radio is regarded as a way of educating people, providing information and promoting freedom of expression across cultures.
Speaking on the day a Public Affairs Analyst, Dr. Fidel Onyeneke, said Radio had helped ruler dwellers as long as the person has transistor radio or phone to get information about what is happening in the society and government plans and programmes.
According to Dr. Onyeneke, people learn through Radio, which enhances peace, unity and development.
“Radio is so sacrosanct that it requires a lot of carefulness that is why I must urge Nigerians that why they appreciate the importance of Radio, by getting information through the radio, they should also not abused it when they have opportunity of making calls.
“Radio should be an opportunity for you to make constructive criticism that will help the government do the right thing and not an opportunity to destroy anybody. I believe with the Advent of radio in this country, the country will go a very long way,” he said.
Dr. Onyeneke called for qualified professional to handle the studio and ensure periodic training of staff, especially in the news making.
The Imo State Women Leader of Radio Television and Arts Workers Union RATTAWU Comrade Helen Ibebuogu, noted that Radio has been a veritable means to disseminate information to hinterlands, which does not cost much.
Comrade Ibebuogu stressed that as a broadcaster, there were numerous challenges faced by radio workers including poor remuneration, lack of modern equipment and mobility to move to remote parts of the country to get information.
“The significance of world Radio Day is a low cost and popular medium which can reach remotest part of the world and it gets to the most marginalized people.
“The very poor people can listen to radio because when you get to the remote area you will find out that an aged woman or man will have a radio set no matter how small it is, he or her will be listening to know what is happening within the community, state country and else where,” she stated.
The Chairperson of RATTAWU Heartland FM Owerri Chapel, Comrade Linda Ihenacho, emphersized that the day encourages radio stations to provide real time information to listeners acros borders.
“The day also helps to encourage radio stations to provide access to information through their medium and enhance networking and international cooperation among broadcasters,” Comrade Ihenacho noted.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
