World Press Freedom day (3 May) is a date which celebrates the principles of press freedom, to evaluate and defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991. This in turn was a response to a call by African journalists who in 1991 produced the Windhoek Declaration on media pluralism and independence.
· Support independent journalism so that media workers can report without fear or favour. Newsrooms should be free to make independent editorial decisions that favour public interest and preserve accountability.
· A free and independent press is essential at all times, but is particularly important during a health crisis such as the one we are currently experiencing. At a time when many seek information primarily online, the role of professional journalists, whom are trained to help sort through the flow and provide necessary guidance, is vital.
· No crisis can be resolved without accurate and reliable information. At all levels, from governments to individuals, the decisions we make can be a matter of life and death and must be based on facts and science.
· It is only through joint multilateral coordination that these crucial issues can successfully be addressed, and we are deeply committed to this global effort.
· It is also important to help the media and journalists report on the crisis effectively and safely, and to promote critical thinking to limit the spread of rumors and misinformation.
· On World Press Freedom Day, on 3 May, UNESCO calls on governments, media and civil society to join us in a global online movement to draw the world’s attention to these issues which are essential to the survival of our democracies. Together, we will ensure that our response to the crisis is effective. This unprecedented health crisis has the potential to rebuild citizens’ trust in the media.
21 February is International Mother Language Day, an annual observance held to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and promote multilingualism.
“Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage. All moves to promote the dissemination of mother tongues will serve not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.”
13 February is World Radio Day. A day we celebrate the power of radio in our lives. This year UNESCO’s theme for the day is “Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace”.
We thought it appropriate that we ask our listeners, supporters, trainees and everyone who has used the medium to send us whatsapp video clips (because community radio moves with the times).
We received clips from listeners, Alternative Radio, BBC, activists, media professionals, editors and artists. The range of the responses we received clearly shows that Bush Radio lives up to this year’s theme of “Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace”. More than just being one of the most sort after training radio stations, it truly is building bridges between the various communities we serve.
13 February 2018 is World Radio Day– a day to celebrate radio as a medium: to improve international cooperation between broadcasters; and to encourage major networks and community radio alike to promote access to information, freedom of expression and gender equality over the airwaves.
Radio is the mass media reaching the widest audience in the world. It is also recognised as a powerful communication tool and a low cost medium
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) has declared the 13th February as World Radio Day. As Africa’s oldest community radio station project we at Bush Radio fully support this intiative as we believe in the power of radio to help build communities and improve lives.
Whether it is through our Children’s Radio Education Workshop (CREW) launched in 1996 where young people learn to use the medium to develop their skills and understanding of media or one of our programmes like Sakhisizwe – Bou die Nation, Build the Nation or even our specialised music programmes like Blues in the Bush where we connect the music to its roots in Africa – radio plays a vital part in almost everyone’s daily life.
Through technology like internet streamingBush Radio is able to connect to the entire planet with it’s audience not just from Cape Flats but with dedicated listeners in Asia, Europe and the Americas tuning into the station online through computers or mobile phones, Bush Radio truly is more than just FM radio.
We handed out Matric study packs to learners at Modderdam and Glendale High in partnership with Van Schaik Books, helped plan a careers day at St Agnes Primary in Woodstock, as well as hosted station and programme managers from various radio stations in southern Africa as part of our partnership on local radio with UNESCO.
Bush Radio’s, Lusanda Bill hand over the stationery to Modderdam High Principal, Mr Snyers
Principal of Modderdam High, Mr Snyers said the timing of the stationery is perfect because this time of the year learners need all the support they can get. Principal Achmat Chotia of Glendale High said he was delighted and inspired by the donation made by Bush Radio and Van Schaik Bookstore to the matrics. “With all the support that the learners are getting from the community is an indication to the learners that they must know that there are people who care and wish they succeed” Chotia added.
Marketing Manager of Van Schaik Bookstore, Margaret Vyver-Rambau said they started this project after they realised that stationery is very important to a learner, especially during exams.
Excited Glendale High matrics await their stationery packs
Vyver-Rambau added that it is important to work with the media in playing a part in encouraging children to study further as they are the future leaders.
Brand Manager, Melanie Foxcroft said to be involved in projects such as these are very important as Van Schaik believes in furthering education especially for young people.
St Agnes Primary careers day 2013
Each year St Agnes Primary School in Woodstock hold a career day where teachers hope to get learners to start thinking about career choices. As part of the day they get speakers from various fields to chat to the learners to help inspire and give them advice. Learners are encouraged to dress up to represent their chosen career and the teachers at the school get to put on school uniforms.
Left to Right: Wayne Mckay, Nathan Adams + Bhavna Singh join the careers day event
Bush Radio was asked if we could arrange a couple of guest speakers for the event and we called upon some of our volunteers and contacts to come help out. The children were thoroughly entertained, and inspired by Bhavna Singh (former Breakfast Rush team member and currently an ETV news anchor), Wayne Mckay (comedian, mc and presenter of Laid Back), Nathan Adams (The Daily Voice entertainment editor) and Yazeed Kamaldien (freelance photographer and journalist)
Nathan Adams chatting with the learners
Financial Management training for Managers
Managers from the various radio stations
Bush Radio in partnership with the UNESCO hosted a Financial Management training course from the 14 – 18 October 2013. Station Managers and Programme Managers came from Namibia (Live FM, Ohangwena Community Radio, Base FM and !Ah FM), Lesotho (Mafeteng Community radio) and South Africa (Bush Radio, Jozi FM, Radio Riverside, Radio Atlantis and Valley FM). This course is part of a broader project called “Empowering Local Radio’s with ICT’s”
Bush Radio is recruiting children and youth aged 6 – 18 years to be trained as volunteer presenters and producers in their children’s radio project; Children’s Radio Education Workshop (CREW) which has been running since 1996.
The programme is divided into three age groups and is on air every Saturday from 10:00 – 13:00.
We are using the following as criteria to select the young people:
– Age (must be between 6 – 18 years old)
– Gender (balance between male and female)
– Language capabilities (English, Afrikaans and Xhosa speakers)
– Geographical area they live in (Greater Cape Town + Cape Flats)
– The willingness and ability to participate weekly
For more information call Sinethemba at Bush Radio’s reception on 021 448 5450.
Closing date: Monday 25 March 2013 at 16:00, and only 30 children will be selected.
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) has declared the 13th February 2013 as World Radio Day. As Africa’s oldest community radio station project we at Bush Radio fully support this intiative as we believe in the power of radio to help build communities and improve lives.
Whether it is through our Children’s Radio Education Workshop (CREW) launched in 1996 where young people learn to use the medium to develop their skills and understanding of media or one of our programmes like Sakhisizwe – Bou die Nation, Build the Nation or even our specialised music programmes like Blues in the Bush where we connect the music to its roots in Africa – radio plays a vital part in almost everyone’s daily life.
Through technology like internet streamingBush Radio is able to connect to the entire planet with it’s audience not just from Cape Flats but with dedicated listeners in Asia, Europe and the Americas tuning into the station online through computers or mobile phones, Bush Radio truly is more than just FM radio.
While planning to undertake a major transition to digital in 2012, Bush Radio, AKA “The Mother of Community Radio”, recently found themselves in a position where an interim studio upgrade was urgently required in order to maintain quality broadcasts.
The stations on air studio has been in service for many years and critical items such as the mixing console and CD players have surpassed their useful working life and are close to failure. To avoid the risk of disappointing their listeners with poor quality or interrupted broadcasts, an appropriate solution that targeted technically weak areas was urgently required. To implement this, Bush Radio contracted Buck Broadcast to supply and install key new equipment while undertaking a major service and calibration of their existing systems.
The Soundcraft MBI Series 5 which Bush Radio used for more than 110 000 hours of use (1994-2011)
The upgraded* studio features a new Soundcraft console and Tascam CD players
In addition to the the installation of a new Soundcraft modular broadcast mixing console and two Tascam CD players, all existing studio equipment was removed, cleaned, serviced and reinstalled within a four-day period. Furthermore, customized wiring looms and system interconnects were fabricated and installed. After a smooth switchover from their back up studio, the new system has been met with enthusiasm from the many presenters who have struggled along with the old equipment for so long.
Rewired, serviced and running
Buck Broadcast looks forward to the opportunity of implementing a more comprehensive digital solution in the year to come but in the meantime are satisfied that Bush Radio now has a more reliable interim system in place to see them though to the digital phase.
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Bushradio 89.5 FM 