CENTRAL EQUATORIA - “From Juba, my name is Donna and welcome to the show. How are you doing this morning?”
Before daybreak in South Sudan, presenter Donna Imanya is already live on-air bringing news and views to audiences across the country. Operated by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, Radio Miraya has the largest reach and is a critical tool for peacebuilding at a time of escalating conflict.
“Radio is everywhere. You can access radio in remote areas. You can access it in the towns,” explains fellow presenter, Hellen Toby. “Given the current situation in South Sudan, radio plays an important role by giving accurate information, preventing misinformation, and easing tensions where there is conflict.”
More than 60 percent of South Sudanese people interviewed in an UNMISS Perception Survey report radio to be their main source of news and information, compared to social media (5.4 percent), television (3.5 percent) and newspapers (1.8 percent).
Of those able to access Radio Miraya, 84.7% listen every day and more than 70 percent feel that it is important because of its impartiality, fair, balanced and accurate reporting, and promotion of peace.
“Radio Miraya contributes very heavily by promoting dialogue and allowing for open and free discussion with regards to peace,” says Head of Programming, Patricia Okoed.
It is also very helpful because it amplifies the voices of those who are unheard, it allows people in hard-to-reach areas to access critical information and serves as an early warning and conflict prevention platform.”
In the same Perception Survey, almost 40 percent of respondents felt that they were not free to publicly express their opinions and 37 percent reported experiencing intimidation, threats, arrests or attacks for having done so.
Radio Miraya is critical to countering this challenge by providing a safe space where people feel heard and empowered to share their experiences. Even though some of those stories are difficult to hear.
“It’s traumatic. Listeners call in to express their pain, their sorrows, their concerns. It’s often a grim picture of what people’s lives are really like,” says Lucas Gunwel, Radio Miraya presenter. “People have lost loved ones, conflicts have displaced people, there is a lack of service delivery and natural disasters where nobody is coming to help. For those of us on radio, hearing this is something that we have decided to live with.”
For 19-year veteran current affairs specialist, Gabriel Shadar, radio is also a powerful tool for securing accountability, including of political decision-makers and security actors.
“Empowering people is very important for me. Giving information to people, giving voice to the voiceless, people who have never imagined they would be heard all over the country,” he says. “Also, the sense that you are contributing to something very positive in the country is very important for me.”
As the day ends, most people are heading home to be with their families. But for this dedicated team, work continues throughout the night as they keep investigating, searching for news, sharing views, providing entertainment, and promoting peace.
It’s not just a job, it’s a joy.
--
By Francesca Mold
