Johannesburg, 16 Feb 2015
The Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa [USAASA] joins billions of people around the world in celebrating the World Radio Day. The World Radio Day was declared by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation [UNESCO], a body of the United Nations in 2001.
The declaration of Radio Day, which coincides with the celebration of the first broadcast of the United Nations Radio on 13 February 1946, goes a long way in recognising the impact of radio in contributing towards the emancipation of many nations around the world. The role of radio freedom is a perfect example of how radio can mobilise communities for a right cause.
USAASA supports this year's theme which is: Youth and Radio, how young people can be better represented through the most powerful medium.
The Agency believes radio is the most important platform that should provide relevant information to young people. It is our view that radio should not only be used for entertainment, but should serve to promote social cohesion, and bring to an end all social ills facing our people.
In a country like South Africa, where different peoples live together, radio should be used to promote and encourage cultural diversity. It should also be to encourage development, discourage entitlement and promote the spirit of vukuzenzele among young people in particular, and society in general.
USAASA believes the country should invest in community radio platforms through capital funding and channelling of advertising revenue.
In keeping with this belief, USAASA has supported over 100 community radio stations through Internet connectivity and computers. We are doing this because we have confidence in our people's talent.
We therefore call upon all station managers, particularly those in mainstream, to ensure there is diverse content on their platforms. This content should be informed by realities of South Africa, not some countries elsewhere in the world.
We also call upon to radio owners to give young people an opportunity to broadcast their own content in the language they understand. In addition, we call on radio programmers and music compliers to refrain from scheduling foreign music at the expense of South African talent.
We commend those few stations that are taking a lead in promoting local music.
Moving South Africa forward through investment in South African radio industry!
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