South Sudanese on Thursday said radio remains the most powerful tool in peace dissemination across the country.
Several citizens who spoke to Radio Tamazuj on the February 13 World Radio Day, said that radio remains the main source of education, information and entertainment.
This year’s theme is: “Radio and Climate Change: A Powerful Tool for Climate Action.”
UNESCO sets aside the day to celebrate radio broadcasters and encourage the decision-makers to create and provide access to information through radio, including the community stations.
Juba resident Jenifer Keji said radio remains the most trustworthy and cheap medium of communication and information.
“Of course, radio is a very important medium of communication that covers a wide range of audiences, especially here in South Sudan. It is through radio that the citizens are able to get the current affairs from everywhere,” said Keji.
“I can put the radio on my phone and listen to updates from every corner of the country. Of course, I am able to listen to global media through radio. Therefore, radio is a very essential medium of communication, which is very cheap. You can access it on your phone,” she said
Proclaimed in 2011 by the UNESCO member states and adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2012 as an International Day, February 13 became World Radio Day (WRD. Radio has roots back in the 1800s.
The World Radio Day was set aside to celebrate broadcasts, improve international cooperation among the broadcasters, and encourage decision-makers to create and provide access to information through radio, including the community stations.
A humanitarian worker in Mingkaman of Awerial County in Lakes State, Clement Keny Awet, said it is through radio that they accessed the civil population.
“It has also helped in terms of creating awareness. Radio is the only way we access the population easily,” said Keny.
Renowned South Sudanese civil society activist Edmund Yakani said that radio would remain dominant despite the technological advancement.
“Radio raises our civic education and knowledge. Without radio, we cannot reach our audiences. Radio has brought humanity into one called the Society of Radio,” Yakani said.
The Director General at the Central Equatoria State Ministry of Information and Communication, Emmanuel Mogga, said radio plays a crucial role in disseminating peace messages.
“Radios have played a very great role, especially with regards to the conflict in South Sudan. Radios have been the pillar in this dissemination. They have also been a pillar in creating awareness in the middle of pandemics like cholera, corona and Ebola,” said Mogga.