Minister of Information and digitalization Honourable Moses Kunkuyu Kalongashawa has retaliated that the power and influence of radio in shaping up public opinion, promoting sound decision-making, and preventing or ending conflicts can never be underestimated. He was speaking at this year’s commemoration of World Radio Day which was celebrated at YONECO head office in Zomba under the theme ‘Radio and Peace’.
The day was set to be celebrated on the 13th of February, but each country is at liberty to choose a convenient day to celebrate it. “Radio stations, especially Community Radio Stations, have the responsibility and the power to build peaceful communities and a peaceful Nation. “As a country, we must therefore strive to ensure that our radio stations are managed professionally to take this huge responsibility of building a peaceful Malawi,” he said.
On his part, MACRA board member Dr. Reverend Father Saindi said radio is playing a crucial role in informing and warning people from the affected areas about the impact of cyclone Freddy. “As we all know the southern region of Malawi has been hit by Cyclone Freddy which has left many families homeless, among the leading communication channels to warn or inform the public of any development regarding the impact of the cyclone,” Father Saindi said.
At the event which started with a march from Chinamwali to YONECO head office, MACRA donated one desktop computer, one printer and two Digital Audio recorders to each of the three co-hosting radio stations namely: YONECO, Mzati and CHANCO.Speaking on behalf of the three co-hosts board chairperson of YONECO Prof Dixie Maluwa expressed his gratitude to MACRA for the timely donation. He also thanked the organizers MACRA and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for trusting the three radio stations to co-host the event.