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World Radio Day: WSCIJ Celebrates Broadcasters, Producers, Others

The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), is celebrating Nigerian broadcasters, producers, newscasters, reporters, station directors and many others behind the scene, who make the daily operations of radio stations possible.

In a statement to mark the 2022 World Radio Day, WSCIJ acknowledged the media who help inform, educate, entertain and hold power accountable to the mass of our people.

The statement read in part: “Radio has a major role to play in the news media objectives to inform, educate, entertain and keep powers accountable.

” To underscore this importance, and in line with our mandate to promote investigative journalism as a tool for social justice and an inclusive society, we have actively included radio as a crucial genre in our capacity development initiatives.

“Unfortunately, only three out of 56 winners of our award have come from the radio category even as the noose tightens around journalists across Nigeria in attempts by the political class to muzzle the media and Nigerians’ right to freedom of expression, radio practitioners are also not left out.

“There are documented cases of government attempts to harass radio stations, the most recent being a N5 million fine of Inspiration FM by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission in 2020 for violating its Hate Speech Act.

“The bids to clamp down on the press, should not deter radio practitioners from remaining the beacon of hope, searchlight and voice for the people.

“Radio stations across the country have huge roles to play in the survival of Nigeria’s democracy as we head to the polls in 2023. According to Dataphyte, only 10.38% turnout was recorded during the last Anambra State Governorship election.

” Voter apathy continues to threaten our democratic process. Being the fastest and most affordable medium to relay information, the radio need lead civic education.

“The industry players must be ethical, professional, astute and courageous within their rights as protected by the Nigerian constitution”.

13 February World Radio Day, to reflect on the importance and impact of radio on the society, was proclaimed in 2011 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and raised to International Day by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012.

The 2022 World Radio Day with the theme: ‘Yes to Radio, Yes to Trust’, has three sub-themes. The first is ‘Trust in radio journalism’, which underscores the need for verifiable information to be shared in the public interest while holding public office holders to high standard.

The second, focuses on serving the informational needs of all listeners while providing a platform for national integration and social participation.

The third sub-theme, revolves around the ability of the stations to turn their massive followers into a viable business model for financial sustainability.

The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) is a non-governmental organisation with a vision to stimulate the emergence of a socially just community defined by the ethics of inclusion, transparency and accountability through the mechanism of investigative journalism.

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