MALAKAL – In the dusty lanes that meander between the tiny tents and tin shanties in the Malakal displacement camp, people are busy getting on with their business.
Whether it’s cooking food, getting children off to school, passing the time with friends, or heading to town for work.
Behind this hustle and bustle, the 40,000 people who live shoulder-to-shoulder in this camp face immense challenges, living far from their original homes, struggling to put food on the table, and to give their children the opportunities they deserve.
Amidst the chaos of daily life, the crackle and accompanying buoyant melody from a radio is the only other constant in this vast camp next to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan’s base.
Here, the radio is more than background noise. It is a crucial connection between the people and their aspirations. It is a reassurance to them that they are heard.
“Radio is very important, especially in times of crisis, because everyone can listen and engage,” says Anter Stephen Bol, a community correspondent with Nile FM.
Upper Nile State is battered by annual floods that cut off roads for up to six months at a time, isolating communities and disrupting trade and services. Malakal town itself still bears scars from the 2016 conflict, when large parts of the city were destroyed.
With ethnic tensions lingering and climatic shocks becoming a regular occurrence, many families from the surrounding areas, continue to seek haven in this camp.
With no reliable electricity or running water, internet access, or basic infrastructure for television, or the means to own it - radio remains the only accessible, affordable and trusted source of information.
“Radio can promote peace among communities and reconciliation between the people. We hope radio can continue to be a tool for peace,” says Bol.
Bol is speaking during a live broadcast hosted by UNMISS-operated Radio Miraya in the displacement camp to commemorate World Radio Day. Accompanying him are local musicians and artists, and members of the listeners’ club - loyal followers who tune in and call daily to share their views.
For local artist Josephina Pagan, radio is a bridge between voices within the camp and the world beyond its walls.
“Radio is important because it sends messages among people,” she says. Then, she pauses for a few seconds before adding, “If the world were to hear my voice, I want them to take my message seriously and to stand with us and help unite us in real peace in South Sudan.
Her words ring true with many in the audience, including Zachariah Chol, a member of the Radio Miraya Fan Club and a regular contributor to call-in programmes.
“Radio carries great importance,” says Zachariah. “It gives you credible information on what is happening around the country. Secondly, some programmes lift your spirits when you feel down, and radio can also help improve your language skills.”
At a time when misinformation can spread quickly, he avoids relying on social media for news as he says that information is easily manipulated by AI tools.
“That is one reason why I listen to radio, because radio gives you credible information. In Radio Miraya, if you want to say something, the presenter ensures your information is correct.”
At the same time, many community radio stations, like Nile FM, are funded by external donors whose aid budgets are rapidly shrinking.
“Our station was supported by USAID in the past, but now they have left, and it is a big challenge for us as we have no support,” he says.
Despite the challenges, Bol believes radio remains one of the few neutral spaces where all communities can meet on air - if not in person. “The role of radio is very important in Upper Nile. All the different tribes can all contribute to peace and reconciliation. Radio is the only medium here that people trust to help bring them peace.”
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By Robin Giri
