Namibians celebrate World Radio Day

WINDHOEK,

Namibia on Thursday joins the rest of the world to celebrate the 9th edition of World Radio Day. This year’s event is held under the theme “Radio and Diversity.”

The Namibian celebration is officiated by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Stanley Simataa in Windhoek.

Simataa said the event will attract both the public, private and community radio stations who will participate in a radio fair, setting up booths at the event and live stream the event, while presenters from various radio stations will interact with the public and engage their listeners on face-to-face basis.

He said despite the change in the new media landscape globally, radio remains the most reliable, accessible, affordable and timely medium of communication used to reach greater number of audience and grassroots masses.

“Therefore, radio remain a powerful tool in ensuring access to information and a mode of unifying societies in their diversity,” Simataa said.

One radio listener, Elroy Nangolo, said radio caters to a variety of tasters, from literature to gardening to all genres of music.

“Radio allows the listeners to carry out other task at the same time. Listening to a radio program allows the listener to carry out other tasks safely and happily,” he said.

Nanogolo said he is pleased that the day is celebrated annually world wide. For Nangolo radio is the best media platform. He said television, newspaper and magazines are last on his list. He said radio provides voice and environmental sound, creating a backdrop for prefect storytelling.

Another supporter of radio Rafael Witbooi said he could not even remember the last day her read a newspaper.

“Radio provides news in a shorter space than print media. With radio you just switch it on and sit back,” he said.

Witbooi said it was much better to listen than read or watch.

“Listening motivates you to imagine and your imaginative skills will be developed. Also your listening skills will be developed since you have to distinguish each and every character’s voices. Radio is really good for all the people,” Witbooi said.

Charles Amgalulu who works for an advertising agency in Windhoek said, with radio clients may also get more value for their money.

“With radio,advertising is so much better. Most people do not leave the room when a commercial comes on,” Amgalulu added. (Xinhua)