KARACHI: The radio professionals, broadcasters and people associated with the industry gathered at the Arts Council on Thursday

to mark World Radio Day and strongly negated the impression that the mode of communication, entertainment and information had lost its credibility and popularity in the world.

They said that except for Pakistan, radio was still thriving and growing the world over.

The event was organised by the Arts Council where renowned broadcasters, former senior officials of Radio Pakistan, executives of private FM radio channels and professionals associated with the industry spoke at length about the recent state of the industry and its future mainly in Pakistan, where the media industry in general was facing serious crisis.

Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani also attended the event and shared his experiences as a keen radio listener in student days and stressed the need for strong and coordinated efforts both from owners and regulators to give new life to radio in the country.

Need stressed for innovative content and ease of restrictions

Yasir Qazi, who moderated the event and had been associated with a private FM radio channel, shared his views on restrictions over content in entertainment segments in radio programmes in Pakistan.

The situation had become very difficult for content producers of FM radio channels amid increasing restrictions from the regulatory body, he said.

The event was also addressed by former executives of Radio Pakistan, including Hafeez Memon and Nisar Memon, and programming director of FM 101 Khalil Channa.

About the recent state of radio industry in Pakistan and its future in the country, senior broadcaster and programme manager of an FM radio channel Ajnabi also known as Ajju Bhai highlighted the lack of coordination among radio owners.

“It’s an irony that radio is called a medium of voice but there is no collective voice in Pakistan to safeguard its interests,” he said. “The number of radio listeners around the world has grown by eight per cent. So it means that this medium is not under threat. We only need to put our case strongly, design and produce innovative content for listeners and then convince our clients that we are the most effective medium for their voice to be heard.”

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2020