Radio’s importance as a voice for local communities stressed

Radio’s role in conflict resolution and promoting peace among communities was highlighted at a week-long training workshop that ended on Wednesday.

Broadcast professionals from Azad Jammu and Kashmir participated in the training workshop, said a press release issued by Interactive Media on Wednesday.

The training focused on radio’s role in addressing communities’ issues and using radio talk shows to resolve them. Transforming people’s perceptions through radio programmes was a major highlight of the workshop.

The participants created talk shows on drug addiction among youth, domestic disputes and child labour, among other social issues.  “As a local medium, radio gives voice to the community, especially in the case of FM stations,” said Murtaza Solangi, Director General Radio Pakistan who distributed the certificates among the participants.

“It is only by involving the people and giving a voice to the community that the spirit of democracy can be truly realised.”

Private radio stations as well as the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation have pledged their commitment to promote a community of peace on air. They have also signed Memorandums of Understanding in this regard.

Conducted by Intermedia and supported by the Foreign Commonwealth Office, the training focused on putting into practice themes of peace-building through dialogue-based programmes on radio.

The training was held after two consultation meetings with community representatives committed to serving the community in Kashmir.

The consultation was aimed at understanding the dynamics of peace-building at the community level and designing a radio programme to address local issues.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2012.