The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) on Saturday said that community radio stations would help disseminate information to core areas and boost development of rural areas.

The UNIC Information Officer, Lagos, Mr Oluseyi Soremekun, stated this in Lagos at a forum to mark the 2016 World Radio Day.

The forum was organised by the Association of Voice Over Artistes in partnership with UNIC.

Soremekun described radio as a veritable tool for information dissemination, development and interaction.

He said that the programme was organised to draw attention to the strategic importance of radio, which incorporates public, private and community broadcasting.

According to him, community radio would promote free independent and pluralistic media.

“The community radio stations could be owned and managed by the community to ensure the proper dissemination of information.

“One of the greatest advantages of promoting community radio is the fact that information will be passed in the local dialect of the people.

“This will help reach the young and old in the society.”

The officer said that radio had ensured that there is safety of life and property during emergency and disasters.

Dr Ambrose Somide, Director, Radio Services, DAAR Communication, said that the public relies on radio because it had the ability to pass information properly in response to the mood of the people.

“The role of community radio in times of disaster cannot be quantified.

“Radio has helped prepare the public for natural disasters, helping in evacuation of lives and property before major damage is done.

“In the western part of the country, the use of radio has helped reduce the adverse effects of radio.”

Somide also noted that radio could be abused because some presenters use it as a medium to pass information for evil deeds.

“In times of crises, radio can be negatively utilised to further aggravate the crisis in the country.”

The director said that more radio stations were needed in the rural areas to help break the language barriers so as to reach the remote people in the community.

Mr Ray Nwachukwu, a veteran broadcaster, in his remarks, advised young broadcasters to be committed to learning and professionalism.

Nwachukwu said that youths should not venture into broadcasting for purpose of making money but instead to propagate the virtues of the profession.

“The fame and accolade will come later if you do your work properly.

“If you are committed to something, money is secondary.”

The veteran, however, expressed displeasure with the crop of present broadcasters parading themselves as ‘On Air Personalities in the industry.’ (NAN)