During the celebration of World Radio Day, Media Council of Kenya (MCK) Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo shed light on significant challenges faced by most radio stations across the country.
Addressing attendees in Kisii County on Tuesday, February 13, as part of the World Radio Day celebrations themed “A Century Informing, Entertaining, and Educating,” Omwoyo underscored that while radio remains a potent force in agenda setting, it grapples with various issues including sustainability and ethics.
Among the core challenges highlighted by Omwoyo is the pervasive issue of ethics, particularly prevalent in community radio stations.
“The adherence to journalistic ethics remains a major obstacle for radio, especially evident in community radio stations where professionalism is compromised due to various factors.”
He emphasized the need for concerted efforts towards enhancing the capacity of journalists and media practitioners.
Omwoyo also called for increased cooperation among stakeholders within the industry and advocated for innovation to meet evolving listener demands.
“Sustainability challenges, notably for community radio stations, have necessitated innovative approaches. To maintain audience interest, the media landscape must continuously adapt to changing times.”
He further added, “Leveraging innovations such as AI-powered content personalization and machine learning can ensure that listeners receive content tailored to their interests, while interactive experiences can foster deeper engagement.”
Despite these challenges, Omwoyo expressed satisfaction with how radio has evolved to remain a potent force in the country.
“While the rise of digital media initially raised concerns about radio’s relevance, Kenyan stations have embraced innovation, adapting to maintain their significance,”
The proliferation of FM and community stations, along with advancements in online streaming, podcasts, and social media integration, reflects this adaptability.
On her part, Media Owners Association of Kenya Chairperson Agnes Kalekye urged the government to support radio stations to prevent closures. She called upon the Kenya Kwanza administration to provide funding opportunities, reduce regulatory burdens, offer tax incentives for investments, and create a conducive business environment.
Kalekye also invited the government to collaborate with the industry in developing spectrum management strategies.
In the realm of journalism, Media Owners advised aspiring journalists to embrace innovation to stay competitive and carve a niche in the media landscape.
Meanwhile, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) disclosed that they had licensed a total of 212 commercial FM stations, 78 community stations, and 13 public FM stations. The current number of radio stations on air in Kenya stands at 291, according to CA.
