WORLD RADIO DAY CELEBRATION; THE CASE STUDY OF BAMENDA IN CAMEROON, AFRICA

Dear friends
I wish to share with you the event of "World Radio Day Celebration" putting more attention to the case of Bamenda, in the restive north west region of Cameroon because of its perculiarity.

√ World Radio Day is an international day celebrated on the 13th of February each year. The day was designated by UNESCO on the 3rd of November, 2011, during it's 36th conference.

√ World Radio Day is an opportunity to celebrate Radio as a medium. It is a chance to promote international cooperation between radio broadcasters to encourage major networks and local radio stations to access to information and freedom of expression.
√ This year's theme, "Radio and Climate Change" underscores the role of radio in informing communities, preventing misinformation and disinformation, and promoting climate solutions.
√ Infact World Radio Day is celebrated on February 13th every year to acknowledge and celebrate the significance of radio in shaping society and culture globally. It is a day to recognize the importance of radio in promoting information, education, and entertainment across diverse communities. Radio is the widely used medium to inform, educate and entertain diverse communities.
√ The first practical wireless radio communication system was developed in Italy by Guglielmo Marconi. Thus making him the inventor and father of Radio.
√ It is important to note hear that the different types of radios widely used are; Am, Fm, shortwave, longwave, walkie -talkies, and HD. To function, each makes use of a distinct technology or band. Only analog radio makes use of radio bands, which determine wavelength and frequencies. A Radio is a sound waves usually through the transmission of music, news and other types of programs from single broadcast stations. The average commercial grade radio offers 2-6 channels which is enough for most handle-to-handled operations.
CASE OF CAMEROON:
° On the 13th, February, 2025, Cameroon joined the global community to celebrate World Radio Day. The theme of this year 2025, is Radio and Climate Change. Radio remains the largest form of media in Africa in spite of the internet and online media. There is something uniquely powerful about hearing human voices on the airwaves. The radio as a medium of communication as impacted Cameroon community positively. It has helped in shaping mindsets, informing, educating and entertaining it citizens. Even the most enclaved localities get radio signals. Even those who can not afford a radio handset can get news or updates from a neighbor who can afford. The airwaves do not discriminate as it is able to break through a heterogeneous society. Issues of climate change, Security, human rights, health care etc have been some of the news broadcast that benefit even the vulnerable and different communities in the state of Cameroon and elsewhere. However the insecurities posed by the crisis in the restive North west and the south west regions, the Boko Haram insurgency in the northern regions of Cameroon has posed a lot of difficulties in the dissemination of news to the communities. The attack on Journalists and Radio stations is a cause for concern. Journalists have often been killed while exercising their duties as journalists.

The national Radio station of Yaounde on this day and elsewhere in the Country celebrated the day by organizing special radio broadcast, featuring interviews, discussions and programs highlighting the importance of radio in Cameroon as a medium of information, education and entertainment across the community. And recognizing the role of radio in the society, promoting international cooperation between broadcasters and highlighting access to information and freedom of expression. Activities involved included special radio programs, workshops, public awareness campaigns and events organized by local radio stations. In the national station in Yaounde some veteran journalists were invited for the broadcast in a special program that ran from 8am to 2pm. Infact focused on most discussions was the solution to climate change and the role radio play in educating the communities on tree planting and other activities that can combat climate change.

° World Radio Day; The Case Study of Bamenda in Cameroon
√ On the 13th February 2025, Journalists in Bamenda, Cameroon under the banner of journalists associations like CAMASEJ, CJTU came out in their numbers and joined the global community to celebrate the World Radio Day on the theme; Radio and Climate Change. However they made a little deviation by dueling on an additional theme; "Radio For All" organized by Cameroon journalists trade union (CJTU), north west chapter and Cameroon Association of English -Speaking journalists (CAMASEJ), Bamenda chapter.
√ Infact, Bamenda is a City where crisis has shaped daily life for close to eight years. And the radio has remained the vital source of information, education and connection.
√ The event brought together Radio stations managers, journalists, and listeners to reflect on the medium's impact in the restive region. Highlights on this come together included panel discussions on the future of the radio. Outstanding radio personalities and dedicated listeners were also recognized. And there was a live broadcast of the conversation, And to address the growing challenge of fake news a media listening workshop was diffused.

√ Meanwhile discussions also explored how to drive awareness and action on environmental issues. However in Bamenda where armed conflict has disrupted access to reliable information, the event served as a reminder of radio role in keeping communities informed and connected in times of crisis.
√ Infact here in the north west region of Cameroon, the power of the airwaves can not be underestimated. Here journalists have faced untold risks in the gathering of news items and broadcasting it. Some have met the end of the road for simply doing the work they are called to do. It can be recalled that in 2020, Rebecca Njeme was killed, and in 2023, Anye Ndeh Nsoh was also killed. It should be noted that many journalists during this sociopolitical upheavals have either been killed, kidnapped or arrested which portrays the dangers of reporting in conflict prune zones.

√ Apart from individual threats, many media outfit have come under attack. Bui Community Radio, in Kumbo, Ndu community Radio, Stone Fru in Ndop, and City Community Radio have either been attacked or destroyed, thereby cutting connection with many rural communities. The targeting of these radio stations does not only threatens or hampers press freedom but also deprives the public from updates on Security, education, climate change, health and what have you.
° Thank you all for reading. I hope this did inspire, encouraged, and blessed somebody. I am your humble friend Mnkong Emmanuel Saah
Image source: CNA, Getty images