By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, February 13, Mana: Minister of Information and Digitalisation Moses Kunkuyu has challenged radio stations in the country to be responsible in their work by reporting on issues that could help build the nation.

Kunkuyu made the call on Thursday when he presided over the commemoration of World Radio Day activities which took place in Kasungu District under the theme ‘Radio and Climate Change’.

The minister said radios must give people hope and focus on life-changing messages that can help transform communities.

“Radio has been a reliable medium of communication in our society especially now when there is a lot of misinformation and disinformation on social media. However, we must ensure that we are responsible in our reporting

“We must therefore strive to ensure that our radio stations are managed professionally to take the huge responsibility of building the nation in the face of climate change which is real, and it’s a subject matter that no community can run away from,” Kunkuyu said.

He also challenged the radios to remain apolitical in their broadcasting, ensuring fairness and objectivity.

“The people we broadcast to are well knowledgeable to make their own decisions. We must not decide for them; our role is to give them information and they will make informed decisions based on that,” he said.

Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) in partnership with Unesco supported the event which is observed every year on 13 of February.

Board Chairperson for MACRA, Bridget Chibwana, said climate change has had devastating effects in the country, destroying key economic infrastructure including radio towers hence the need to mount effective address mechanisms.

She said radio remains a powerful and reliable tool that could help to cascade information about changing climatic patterns and their effects to all communities with ease.

"We recognise the role that the radio plays in sensitising the masses on issues of climate change. So through this commemoration, we are raising awareness on the importance of radio in that regard,” she said.

In his remarks, Executive Secretary for UNESCO, David Mulela, said World Radio Day is an opportunity to celebrate an enduring, versatile and widely accessible means of communication that serves as a tool for adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate disruption.

“At a time extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common, we must recognise the critical and often life-saving role of radio.

“Radio can reach even the most remote locations and function even when electricity fails. This makes radio a unique medium in crisis situations by acting as an early warning system to reduce disaster risk and save countless lives,” Mulela said.

During the event which was also attended by Chairperson for Parliamentary Committee on Media Susan Dossi and chiefs, MACRA presented computers to selected community radios to help in their broadcasting.

In 2011, UNESCO designated 13th of February as World Radio Day recognising its importance in communicating to masses.