NAN-H-58
Radio
By Magdalene Ukuedojor
Abuja, Feb. 13, 2017 (NAN) As the world celebrates World Radio Day today, some Nigerians have urged radio stations to focus more on the reportage of cases of injustice rather than entertainment.
They made their views known in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
While commending the effort of radio stations in promoting the entertainment industry in Nigeria, most people said there were more pressing issues to tackle and would be better off if they were given attention.
Miss Ihuoma Vincent, a civil servant said the average Nigerian face a lot of harassment which needs to be reported to protect the fundamental rights of the people.
“Radio has a wider reach than any of the other mediums because even in villages, on farms, the villager can access the radio.
“And that is why any song trending on radio gets to all parts of the country because of its wider reach.
“There are work place scruples, police brutality, road harassment caused by officers of the law which people are dying to have them reported through phone calls to radio stations.
“But most times the radio stations are even afraid to report such because of fear of penalties or the presenters losing their jobs.
“We need to promote the rights of people the way entertainment is being done, offenders will be punished and we can forestall future occurrences of cruelty and violence,” she said.
Sharing similar views, Mr Steve Ikwe, a student said the social media was a great tool in bringing to the front burner cases of public harassment.
Ikwe urged radio stations to concentrate more on elevating people’s plight for a wholesome society.
“If radio stations which most people listen to in cars, offices, shops, in the hinterlands could tow the path of social media, Nigeria will be better for it.
“With social media, people alert others on happenings and with comments and contributions, bad policies have been abolished, intending laws that could jeopardise people’s freedom and rights have been put on hold.
“The radio is a much powerful tool because our parents in the villages can access it; in any corner, almost any village, they are always with their pocket radio.
“Those people need to be involved in governance; together we can all fight vices and achieve a better and greater country,’’ he said.
Mr Mohammed Yaro, a legal practitioner in his view, advocated for more public enlightenment of government laws and policies on radio.
“We all know that ignorance of the law is not an excuse, so we would like to see more radio stations pick up laws and educate the public on them.
“There is great work to be done; laws and policies need to be translated and broadcast in local languages to the radio listener.
“There is a percentage of Nigerians who are not educated and not well vested in the English Language so radio stations must include them and increase their awareness because all laws and policies affect them too,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Radio Day which is in its sixth year is celebrated on February 13 annually.
It was first celebrated in 2012 and was later adopted as an International Day by the United Nations General Assembly.
It is a day to celebrate radio as a medium, encourage major networks and community radio alike to promote access to information, foster freedom of expression and positive dialogue for change.
This year’s theme is “Radio is You’’ (NAN)
MUK/HS/EEE
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Edited by Halima Sheji/Ese E. Ekama