It is very common for folks in the countryside to tune in their mobile radio sets on phones to listen to their favourite radio news bulletins, talk shows, music and other programmes. It is not unusual to have people call in to interface with talk show hosts on issues of health, economics, politics, fashion, education among others. Therefore, radio remains a key platform for communication and development even if social media has made a huge bang in media relations
On the occasion of World Radio Day 2024, Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, notes that, “Since its creation at the end of the nineteenth century, radio has always been with us, bringing us together around powerful moments and shared emotions. And so, for over a century, it has been informing us, entertaining us, and also educating us, as this year's theme underlines”. The theme of the World Radio Day 2024 is ‘A century informing, entertaining and educating’ reflecting the 100-year-plus milestone of Radio on this planet.
According to the East African Radio Service, each and every day, Ugandans choose one of almost 300 Radios for information, news, announcements, and entertainment. Over 30 million Ugandans tune in regularly, making Radio the most frequently used medium in the country.
Even in the face of the COVID-19 crisis that emerged in late 2019 radio stations played a significant role in keeping communities informed worldwide. For example, radio stations in Uganda and Zambia remained on-air with full programming, though in some cases with scaled-down staff due to curfews. All were broadcasting special shows and public health messages to help combat the virus, while sharing messages of hope for victims
Indeed UNESCO has noted that, 'the on-going utilitarian value of Radio as a relatively free and portable public safety net during emergencies and power outages brought on by natural and human-made disasters such as storms, earthquakes, floods, heat, wildfires, accidents and warfare'.
Uganda still faces environmental problems that call for sensitization campaigns and sustained information updates to the general public. For example, the dangers of single user plastics are appreciated and remain a major discussion issue in public domain. Air quality, water pollution and the rising cost of firewood and charcoal are of concern to many in Uganda and radio stations have been vanguards in providing spaces for the public to share their experiences and perspectives on them. Similarly, weather updates and alerts can still reach the public more effectively through radio than any other media.
Perhaps, this year’s World Radio Day should entice all, to further make full use of the potential of radio in raising awareness, educating, entertaining the public. In doing so, creativity is necessary so as to scale up behaviours that uphold sustainability from individual to community and global levels. This comes in the face of concerning global picture of the SDG progress at the midpoint, where 37% of the SDG targets in stagnation or regression stage
