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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