Akwa Ibom Broadcast Journalist Advocates establishment of Community Radio for rapid social and economic development
By Morenike Oshilade
An Akwa Ibom broadcast Journalist; Mr. Charles Bassey has canvassed the need for Communities to set up Community Radio stations noting that it would go a long way in expediting social and economic development.
In a chat with CBSnewsTrend, after a conference of community Radio experts, the Uyo born broadcast professional stated that Community Radio is one of the surest ways to attain development using effective grassroots media outreach.
He pointed to the success stories of South Africa which has quite a good number of community Radio stations and India as well as the Caribbean countries like Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados which he said had had promoted community radio establishment. He said, “These countries used it as a veritable tool for social enlightenment, on Health, commerce and even civic education which would deepen citizen’s participation in democracy”.
In his words, “Community Radio As tool to deepen democratic governance”.
He explained that, “Community Radio is a radio service offering a third model of radio broadcasting in addition to commercial and public broadcasting.” “Community stations serve geographic communities and communities of interest”, he said.
Community Radio stations are setup and fashioned after the specific need of the community establishing it.
They serve geographic communities and communities of interest. That is to say, their broadcast content is popular and relevant to a local, specific audience but is often overlooked by commercial or mass-media broadcasters.
Mr. Bassey said, “As community Radio establishment expert and consultant, I must reiterate here that the gains of such stations cannot be over emphasized!
The template and operational guidelines for community Radio stations makes it the most Veritable tool for vast development!”
Q CBSnewTrend: Who can own a community Radio station?
CBS: Basically community Radio is owned by the community, operated by them and it broadcasts are primarily suited and directed specifically for the people of that community!
Its philosophy is far from profit making, though it attracts revenue for its services rendered, it is primarily a public enlightenment and educational tool.
Governance becomes easier when the gap between the government and the governed is bridged! Leaders become more accountable to the people and the people can be brought up to speed with the stewardship of their leaders as regards to development issues.
The template of community Radio stipulates that enlightenment programmes in sectors like health, economy, agriculture, security, law and order, civil rights, gender issues, and education amongst others should be showcased!
Political content is not encouraged except where it’s advocating and aimed at deepening and strengthening democracy and its processes!
In fact the template of community Radio abhors hard core political content to the extent of promoting one interest against the other! Don't forget its ownership by the registration template is the community which consists of various interest groups.
Q CBSnewTrend:
How would this community Radio stations aid development when established in various communities in Akwa Ibom state?
CBS: Let me state here that if at least 3 Local Government Areas in each of the 3 senatorial districts established a community Radio station, it would make room for vast developments in various ways.
1) Information flow between the people and government becomes easier as the people can reach out to government and government can I turn reach the people.
2) Broadcast content from the community Radio will leave the people more informed, enlightened and educated on their roles as citizens and on other social and economic issues. This will enhance the knowledge of the people and empower them for development and uplift of living standards.
3) it would create employment for indigene of the area as the template for community Radio stipulates that community members must form majority of the operational staff.
There are well over 10 more benefits of a community Radio station including support from UNESCO, UNDP and several other donor agencies as the community Radio concept as fashioned out by UNESCO is considered highly developmental, but I'll save it and stop here!
Q CBSnewTrend:
How can a community begin the process of setting up a community Radio Station?
CBS:
it’s quite simple, in fact a lot easier than that of setting up a commercial Radio station. That’s my specialty, and I could be consulted for more on these!
In all, community Radio registration, licensing, establishment and operation is my specialty.
I'm however calling on Local Government chairman, Representatives of the people of Akwa Ibom State at the House of Assembly and at the Federal Legislature to give this initiative a thought!
I'll be ready to offer myself to the Akwa Ibom State Government in this regard!
I'm a and consultant on Community Radio development and establishment and I’ve worked on the media components of European Union (
EU) sponsored community Development/peace building in the Niger Delta anchored by the Institute for media and society,
IMESO.
In May last year 2019 I attended a workshop in Kampala, Uganda on developing community Radio and I promised myself that as I get back home I'll be working towards the establishment of Akwa Ibom State's first ever functional community Radio station, to be sited in my community,Ikono clan in Uyo!
Mr. Charles Bassey is a staff of Radio Nigeria, FRCN presently serving as a Government House Correspondent at the Government House in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state
Also read http://www.ndr.org.ng/workshop-advocates-community-radio/?fbclid=IwAR3Whrxgb2A1ALFvcQ6rZWMElibsThbgxIlBgMGTUkXcmasZXrwBWfatiCE
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