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Somalia Celebrates World Radio Day 2024
The first official broadcast in Africa took place in December 1923 in Johannesburg. Today, radio is still a dominant media, with up to 80% of the African population regularly accessing this media.
In Somalia, radio retains its established place alongside the growing number and variety of TV channels, online platforms, and social media. Radio still has the largest audience of all media in the country.
Radio Mogadishu was established in 1951 in Somalia’s capital. After a break in transmission of ten years during the civil unrest, it resumed broadcasting in 2001. Since then, it has increased its reach to the major population areas around the country. The Federal Member States each have their own radio service, and in the private sector there are estimated to be more than 65 radio broadcasters, many with multiple transmitters to reach the population centres around the country. In Mogadishu alone there are estimated to be more than 25 radio operators. Glancing across the skyline, one will spot numerous transmission towers, many of which are providing radio services.
Radio broadcasts are heard in cafés and hotels, on the on small portable receivers played by the street vendors, and from vehicles that flow through the roads. For anyone on a car journey, the centre-piece on the dashboard is usually the FM receiver.
For generations the Somali population have belonged to a strong an oral culture, with information and news learned by spoken word, song and poetry. This, combined with a low level of literacy compared to countries in the region, makes radio the natural medium of information exchange for large parts of the population. It is more easily accessible than all other media, being easier to receive than TV or internet. Insecure road systems have hindered distribution of print media—the few publications that remain produce a low volume of copies and are limited in distribution.
On World Radio Day 2024, the Federal Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, H. E. Daud Aweis Jama held the political brief for all media in Somalia and the management of Federal State media, including Radio Mogadishu. H. E. Daud Aweis Jama highlighted the importance of World Radio Day and called attention to the contribution of radio as a trusted and reliable source throughout the country’s turbulent past, but also its role in the ongoing service of informing, entertaining and educating the Somali population. With a history of political instability and conflicts, radio has played a pivotal role in disseminating vital updates, emergency alerts, and government announcements, helping people stay informed and connected even in challenging times.
Radio has a rich history within the Somali community and has played a significant role throughout the country's turbulent past. Despite ongoing technological advancements, radio continues to hold a vital position in meeting the information needs of the community, particularly in delivering news. It is clear that radio will continue to be a crucial part of the Somali community's communication landscape.
In the Federal Member States, recent initiatives—including the addition of transmitters and local production capacity—have expanded the main radio services operated in the capital cities and outlying communities. Radio South West, Radio Kismayo and Radio Mogadishu have all installed radio facilities remotely from their main operational centre. Hindi Mohamed, Deputy Editor of Bilan Media, which produces news and documentary programmes for Somali and international media, stressed that radio's accessibility makes it possible to connect isolated communities and share important news and culture.
Radio is portable, affordable, and doesn't require literacy, making it accessible. The care and craft that goes into making great radio clearly impacts many lives in deep and meaningful ways. For many people, listening to their favourite radio programs is a daily ritual and source of comfort. For Somali people displaced from their homeland, these shows can provide an important link to their roots, bringing people together through a shared listening experience and preserving cultural traditions across borders and generations.
In the developing media sector in Somalia there are many training programmes that aim to increase the skills of practising journalists as well as provide new personnel for the expanding sector. Radio provides an ideal media for primary journalism training, where the focus can be on the information and content without too much emphasis visual skills (typically learned as an additional and part of specialised training). Much of the journalism training is carried out by the media and journalists’ associations, such as the Federation of Somali Journalist, FESOJ.
Radio is 100 years old this month, it has informed, educated and entertained many successive generations in Somalia. In addition to being portable and affordable, radio has also played a crucial role in connecting communities across Somalia, especially in remote and rural areas where other forms of media might be limited or inaccessible.
Another factor contributing to radio's popularity in Somali society is its interactive nature. Through call-in programs and talk shows, radio encourages active participation and engagement from listeners. As a highly versatile medium, it offers a a wide range of programming, including news, educational content, cultural programs, music, and entertainment. This diversity caters to the diverse interests and preferences of Somali society, ensuring there is something for everyone. This interactive element fosters a sense of community and enables people to share their opinions, concerns, and experiences, making radio an important platform for dialogue and social cohesion.
It is evident that radio's accessibility, affordability, reliability, inclusivity, interactivity, and versatility have made it the medium of choice in Somali society for a century. As it continues to evolve and adapt to the digital age, radio remains a powerful tool for informing, educating, and entertaining generations to come in Somalia.
