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Minister commends radio stations on information dissemination of Cyclone Freddy
- 18,Sep 2023
- Posted By : icerim
- 0 Comments
At this year’s commemoration of the World Radio Day whose theme was “Radio and Peace”, Minister of Information and Digitisation Moses Kunkuyu commended radio stations in the country for a positive contribution and proper dissemination of information amidst Cyclone Freddy, a development the Minister described as noble, as it kept Malawians well informed and knowledgeable about the disaster. The Minister said this during the Commemoration that took place on 28th March at Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) headquarters in Zomba district, Eastern Region of Malawi.
According to the Minister, Radio has for the past years proven to be a very essential tool in Malawi in promoting peace and fighting wars that have come in form of cyclones, floods and other natural disasters. He highlighted that radio has the responsibility and power to build peaceful communities and a nation at large.
“The power and influence of radio in shaping up public opinion, promoting sound making decisions, and preventing or ending conflicts can never be underestimated. Commemorating this day offers us all as a Nation to reflect on and take stock of how the radio is adapting to the ever-changing needs of people it is expected to serve”, Kunkuyu emphasised.
In his remarks, Acting Deputy Executive Secretary for the Malawi National Commission David Mulera, emphasised on the need for Malawi to safeguard both the independence and diversity of radio. Mulera echoing the Minister’s speech, added that World Radio Day should not only commemorate radio’s potential, but also make greater use of radio as a unique instrument of peace.
Activities spicing up the commemoration included performances by the Malawi Prison Service Band, YONECO Children’s Band, drama and traditional dances. The Malawi Communication and Regulatory Authority (MACRA) who organised the event, donated assorted electrical equipment such as printers and computers to three community radio stations in the district.
World Radio Day (WRD) was set aside by UNESCO to celebrate radio as a tool for communication and information dissemination. It falls on 13th February of the year, but countries are at liberty to choose when to celebrate it. Malawi failed to celebrate the Day on 13th February due to among other reasons, the effects of Cyclone Freddy that saw about 500 people dead and over 500,000 people displaced.
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