Guyana joins with the rest of the world to observe World Radio Day.

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DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Guyana joined the rest of the world today in observing World Radio Day, under the theme “Radio and Sports”.

In an earlier interview, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo who also serves as the Minister for Information, noted that radio has played and will continue to play an integral role in all societies

“… My background has been in Journalism in Guyana, the Caribbean and some parts of the world and I understand the importance of recognising the significance that radio plays in the world and particularly in the area of sports and culture.”

Prime Minister Nagamootoo noted that Guyana is the rainbow nation and radio is one of the means that connects all regions in the country.

“Guyana is 500 times the size of Barbados, 3oo times the size of Singapore, but we have a small population of under a million people. We have a diverse nation of people of various ethnicities in a country that is vast – 240,000 square kilometres, which could not be accessed easily.  So, we depend on radio to communicate easily with our people in the vast pristine virgin forests and savannahs and mountainous land,” Prime Minister said.

Following independence, the Prime Minister noted that local radio allowed for the people’s constitutional rights to be respected – specifically the right to access information; the right to know what their government was doing with their resources and the right to communicate in times of disaster particularly in the vast hinterland areas.

Commenting on this year’s theme, Prime Minister Nagamootoo said it is a fitting one giving the continued development of sports in Guyana

“As it regards to the area of sports, I believe that perhaps is the greatest of unifier. We can have people throughout the country, who otherwise who could not have access to television or cell phones or other means that are common in other countries. We needed radio all throughout Guyana. So, we are moving in the direction of broadening the reach of radio. It is a quick way of transmitting various tournaments to the Guyanese people throughout the country.”

To date, five radio stations have been established by this government– in Paiwomak, Mahdia, Mabaruma, Lethem, and the latest being in Bartica. Two more in Aishalton and Orealla, are slated to be commissioned this year.

According to the United Nations website, Radio is the mass medium reaching the widest audience in the world. It is also recognized as a powerful communication tool and a low-cost medium. Radio is specifically suited to reach remote communities and vulnerable people while offering a platform to intervene in the public debate. Furthermore, radio has a strong and specific role in emergency communication and disaster relief.

 

By: Gabreila Patram