The 13th World Radio Day was celebrated with great fanfare in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This event, organized by the Federation of Local Radios of Congo (FRPC) and its partners, brought together many actors from the communication and media sector, including the Minister of Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya.
The theme chosen for this edition was “Celebrating together the remarkable past, the relevant present and the promise of a dynamic future of radio”. A theme which highlights the essential role that radio has played in the daily life of the Congolese for many years.
In his speech, Minister Patrick Muyaya underlined the importance of digital transformation in the world of radio. He affirmed that community radio stations must adapt to the new habits of listeners and offer content that meets their expectations. According to him, radio stations must follow their listeners to their phones, offering adapted and relevant content.
World Radio Day was also an opportunity for the FRPC to present a memorandum to the Minister of Communication and Media, concerning the new taxation provided for by the law on press freedom in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Minister said he was open to dialogue and ready to discuss the new provisions of the law, while emphasizing that community radios would benefit from differentiated treatment compared to commercial radios.
In parallel with the World Radio Day ceremony, Minister Muyaya went to RTNC (Radio-Télévision Nationale Congolaise) to participate in another ceremony. He took the opportunity to recall the importance of this communication organ, which has already existed for 101 years in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Minister also expressed the wish to see the radio branch of RTNC get a makeover and adapt to the new expectations of listeners. He welcomed ongoing efforts to modernize the station’s broadcasts and stressed the importance of radio in a country where transport infrastructure is often deficient.
By visiting the various studios and installations of the national radio, the Minister of Communication and Media reiterated his commitment to the development of the communication and media sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In conclusion, the celebration of World Radio Day in the Democratic Republic of Congo was an opportunity to highlight the essential role of this media in the daily life of the Congolese. The Minister of Communication and Media underlined the importance of digital transformation and reaffirmed his support for community radios and RTNC. This day made it possible to strengthen links between the different players in the sector and to highlight the challenges and opportunities that present themselves to them in a constantly evolving world.