Media Owners urges State to support radio sustainability
Media Owners Association Chairperson Agnes Kalekye has called on the government to support radio sustainability. This comes as Kenya joins the world in marking the World Radio Day 2024. https://shorturl.at/psCJV #WorldRadioDay
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00:00 media council led by the CEO
00:07 David and Tim, thank you for
00:07 inviting us to give remarks on
00:09 this momentous occasion. As we
00:11 gather here to commemorate
00:13 World Radio Day 2024. As the
00:15 chairperson of the media
00:17 owners association, it is my
00:19 privilege to give our remarks
00:21 on this significant tree.
00:23 Today, we come together to
00:25 celebrate a century of radio
00:27 tireless efforts in informing,
00:31 entertaining, and educating the
00:33 masses. For over a century,
00:35 radio remains a key player in
00:37 advancement of human
00:39 civilization through its role of
00:41 informing, educating, and
00:43 entertaining people. Radio, as
00:45 you all know, is a versatile
00:47 medium that comforts the
00:49 afflicted and afflicts the
00:51 comfortable. It amplifies the
00:53 voice of the unheard and
00:55 ignored, disseminates
00:57 information to public,
00:59 mobilizes communities for
01:01 action, and watches over
01:03 management of public affairs by
01:05 speaking truth to the power.
01:07 In our society today, it has
01:09 built careers, opened up new
01:11 horizons for persons, as well
01:13 as communities for action. It
01:15 has inspired collective
01:17 actions and orchestrated
01:19 massive transformation.
01:21 It has inspired the
01:23 collective action of the
01:25 people, and orchestrated
01:27 massive transformations of
01:29 society. However, as we
01:31 celebrate radio's past
01:33 achievement, we must also
01:35 recognize the challenges that
01:37 lie ahead. In an ever-evolving
01:39 media landscape, it's crucial
01:41 that we ensure the
01:43 sustainability of this
01:45 invaluable medium. Sometimes
01:47 we hear complaints of our radio
01:49 stations that we have deviated
01:51 from the pace, no more than
01:53 purveyors of gambling. But
01:55 one must sympathize with the
01:57 difficult environment
01:59 the radio is operating
02:01 today, where it's no longer
02:03 feasible to rely on
02:05 advertising for revenue alone.
02:07 In the face of our
02:09 current economy, stiff competition,
02:11 and pervasive digital
02:13 platform, as media owners,
02:15 we understand the importance of
02:17 innovation to survive, and
02:19 it's not often easy.
02:21 Concerns have also been raised about
02:23 dominance of entertainers in radio
02:25 over professional journalists,
02:27 denying trained journalists
02:29 opportunities in the studio, but
02:31 that is not often a fair criticism.
02:33 Depending on different
02:35 radio stations, and their
02:37 broadcast objectives, and also
02:39 their target audience, and other
02:41 considerations like employment
02:43 capacity, and available
02:45 budgets, some stations
02:47 seek to maximize their entertainment
02:49 role over other functions,
02:51 like news. Ultimately,
02:53 a radio station's survival
02:55 is dependent on the free choice of
02:57 listeners. You simply cannot
02:59 ramp content into people's
03:01 ears.
03:03 To young people considering
03:05 careers in radio, should not be scared
03:07 of this alleged takeover of airwaves
03:09 by entertainers.
03:11 Instead, they must pay attention
03:13 to the changes taking
03:15 place in this medium. Unlike
03:17 in the past, where all that was needed was a good
03:19 voice for the mic,
03:21 today, successful broadcasters,
03:23 broadcast journalists, must have a
03:25 wide array of skills to make one
03:27 consummate content creator.
03:29 As an informer, educator,
03:31 and entertainer, all rolled into one.
03:33 Today,
03:35 I would also like to take a moment to address
03:37 the government, and I'm happy that
03:39 our regulator is represented here,
03:41 Communication Authority.
03:43 I call the government to support radio
03:45 sustainability. In Kenya,
03:47 radio stations, both
03:49 big and small, play an
03:51 important role in providing
03:53 local news, promoting cultural
03:55 diversity, and fostering a
03:57 sense of community. They
03:59 serve as a platform for dialogue, sharing
04:01 stories, and connecting people
04:03 from all walks of life.
04:05 However, sustaining radio
04:07 operations in Kenya today,
04:09 and in this digital environment,
04:11 requires heavy investment and
04:13 support. We ask the government
04:15 to recognize the significance of radio,
04:17 and allocate resources towards
04:19 its growth and development.
04:21 This support can come in
04:23 various forms, such as providing funding
04:25 opportunities, reducing regulatory
04:27 burdens, working with
04:29 the industry to develop spectrum
04:31 management strategies that
04:33 meet the need of broadcasters.
04:35 At the same time, providing tax
04:37 incentive to encourage investment
04:39 in the industry, and lastly,
04:41 creating a sustainable business
04:43 environment. By
04:45 working together, we can develop
04:47 innovating strategies to adapt to the evolving
04:49 media landscape, and ensure
04:51 that radio remains a vibrant
04:53 and relevant medium for
04:55 generations to come.
04:57 As
04:59 owners and stewards of radio stations,
05:01 we have a responsibility to
05:03 uphold the values that radio represents.
05:05 We must continue to champion
05:07 for the principles of accuracy,
05:09 fairness, and impartiality.
05:11 In this
05:13 era of rapidly evolving
05:15 technologies and media landscape,
05:17 we have the responsibility
05:19 of continuing these rich
05:21 legacies, and ensuring radio
05:23 remains relevant in today's world.
05:25 While new mediums
05:27 vie for people's attention, we must
05:29 enhance our programming, and
05:31 modernize our delivery
05:33 to stay a vital part of communities
05:35 we serve. We need to
05:37 strengthen our local presence, and
05:39 showcase the diversity of voices
05:41 that make each locality
05:43 unique.
05:45 On this World Radio Day, we acknowledge
05:47 and express our gratitude
05:49 to the countless individuals who
05:51 have dedicated their life to this medium.
05:53 I've seen veteran journalists
05:55 here, so thank you.
05:57 From passionate radio hosts,
05:59 to talented technicians working
06:01 behind the scenes, journalists and
06:03 content creators, regulators,
06:05 investors, to policy makers,
06:07 stations managers,
06:09 and broadcasters, your unwavering
06:11 commitment has made radio
06:13 what it is today. So thank you
06:15 all. We also
06:17 recognize the listeners whose support
06:19 has sustained radio throughout the years.
06:21 Your loyalty and engagement
06:23 has been the driving force behind
06:25 the success of this medium, and
06:27 we are grateful for your continued support.
06:29 In conclusion, on
06:31 this World Radio Day, so
06:33 tune in to your choice of radio station.
06:35 Let us celebrate the remarkable
06:37 achievement of radio over the past
06:39 century, and let us unite
06:41 our efforts to secure sustainability
06:43 of radio, appealing
06:45 to the government for their support
06:47 in creating an environment where
06:49 radio can continue to flourish.
06:51 Together, let's
06:53 recognize the power of radio to inform,
06:55 educate, and
06:57 entertain, and let us strive
06:59 to ensure that it remains
07:01 a vibrant and integral
07:03 part of our media landscape.
07:05 Thank you all, and may our collective
07:07 effort pave way for a sustainable
07:09 future for radio in our country.
07:11 Sante Nisana.
07:13 [end]
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