A conversation on radio and peace #SafaricomNews #Tuinuane #WorldRadioDay

Safaricom Newsroom

As the violence raged in Kenya in January 2008, the media came under increasing scrutiny. One of the main accusations was that the media, particularly radio, was responsible for fanning the flames.

When a prominent radio presenter was named along with politicians and civil servants as suspects to face trial at the International Criminal Court, the Kenyan media fraternity was shocked. Comparisons were made with the situation in Rwanda a decade before, where radio played a role in perpetrating genocide.

The cases at the International Criminal Court were eventually terminated but the media had already learnt its lesson, chiefly that in a country that has faced political and ethnic conflict, radio is a powerful tool for promoting peace and fostering understanding and reconciliation.

“Radio and peace” was the theme of this year’s World Radio Day, providing an opportunity to reflect on the role radio has played and can play, in mediating conflict and bringing about peace. The Safaricom Newsroom hosted Christine Nguku and Lincoln Njogu.