![Head of South Sudan journalists union Oyet Patrick. [Photo courtesy]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/maxresdefault-1.jpg?resize=941%2C530&ssl=1)
“UJOSS urges South Sudan’s government to reduce taxes on equipment for radio broadcast and setting up radio stations,” UJOSS President Patrick Charles Oyet said in a statement marking World Radio Day.
“We acknowledge the significant role radio continues to play in disseminating information and promoting peace,” he added.
Oyet also appealed to partners to continue supporting radio stations while respecting their editorial independence.
UJOSS, he said, remains committed to bolstering the capacity of radio journalists across the country.
This year’s World Radio Day, celebrated under the theme “Radio: A Century informing, entertaining and educating,” underscored the medium’s vital role in South Sudan’s context.
Gerry Allan, acting principal of the Media Development Institute (MDI), emphasized radio’s critical function in informing the public during the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Ayaa Irene, executive director of the Association of Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS), called media the “fourth estate” – more powerful than the executive, judiciary, and parliament – due to its ability to inform and entertain society.
Younnes Araya, deputy mission director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), lauded radio as a cornerstone of South Sudanese society, instrumental in fostering a culture of peace.
“Through radio broadcasts, we can address communal conflict and ethnic violence, and share accurate and reliable information with geographically distant communities,” Araya said.
“In a country where roughly 70% of the population is illiterate, radio remains the most effective communication tool. It’s crucial for promoting mutual understanding, dispelling rumors, and embedding a culture of peace,” he added.
