By Mohamed Fofanah.
State House Strategic Communications Unit on Wednesday donated five motorbikes, broadcasting equipment including studio microphones, recorders, a personal computer, a generator and SLL 10 million stipends to the Voice of Peace and Development (VOPAD) radio station in Kissy Town, Waterloo.
The provision of professional equipment is part of efforts to bringing journalism into the digital age, ensuring that journalists can do their job professionally, according to the Strategic Advertiser to President Julius Maada Bio. Dr. Patrick K. Muana said the first phase of the gesture has targeted six community radio stations across the country, including Radio Gbaft in Mile 91, and Radio Mongo in Falaba district.
Dr. Muana reiterated that all community radio stations need support, saying the selection process was partly a recognition of the role community radio stations play in development as they disseminate news about what the national Government is doing by capturing voices of local stakeholders to articulate some of those needs of the community which government can take into consideration during resource allocation.
Speaking at the ceremony in Kissy Town, Waterloo, Dr. Muana assured management of the resource-strapped radio station of further support including, inviting them to now cover all Government programs, being part of the annual Presidential Cocktail party for journalists, provide security for the station, and involve its staff in all Government-sponsored training programs for journalists. He also assured management of the chance to secure Government Grant-in-Aid for any staff who gains admission into any Government-run university and an agreement with Africell SL to supply power to the station to enhance a 24-hour broadcast.
The whole idea is about equipment which journalists need to carry on their work professionally and we did recognize that it is important to ensure that they have microphones and recorders. And providing them with laptops could go a long way in making their work more professionally.
VOPAD Radio broadcasts for only six hours in 24 communities, partly due to its inability to afford a constant power supply, according to the station manager, Joseph Lamin. ‘I’m very grateful for this support which is a surprise to me,’ said Lamin, adding that he felt honoured and impressed with State House Strategic Communications Unit’s gesture and promised to use them appropriately and for the intended purpose.
Although the resource-strapped radio broadcasts for only six hours per day, however, it still boasts of the widest coverage in the district, according to the Acting Board Chairman, Emmanuel Justin Margai who reported that they are deprived of many facilities, one of which is that staff don`t get salary.
The Deputy Minister of Energy and SLPP East Rural District Chairman, Dr. Eldred Tunde Taylor and his executives also donated SLL 2,500,000 to the station and implored them to commit themselves to their work, following President Bio’s generosity to expunge the 1965 Public Order Act which criminalized free speech which has now allowed journalism to thrive.
