Darfur Stations Survival Struggle World Radio Day
On World Radio Day, the struggle for survival continues for radio stations in Darfur.
The ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has caused significant damage to these stations. Radio Nyala, one of the oldest stations in the region, had its studios and medium-wave transmitter destroyed amidst the fighting, making it nearly impossible to rebuild in the current economic conditions.
Similarly, Radio Zalingei and Radio El Fasher have also faced challenges, with reduced on-air time and damage to their infrastructure. The article highlights the resilience of these stations and the efforts made to restore their operations. However, the overall situation remains grim, reflecting the impact of the conflict on Sudanese radio stations.
Darfur Stations Struggle
The ongoing war in Darfur has caused significant damage to radio stations in the region. Radio Nyala, one of the oldest stations in Darfur, has been particularly affected, while Radio Zalingei has shown great resilience. The struggle faced by these stations highlights the challenges of maintaining operations in a war-ravaged area.
Additionally, the lack of fuel and liquidity has further hampered the ability of radio stations to function effectively. Despite these obstacles, radio workers in West Darfur have continued to work tirelessly to provide much-needed information to the local population. Press freedom in Sudan remains a critical issue, with violations and displacement of journalists adding to the challenges faced by radio stations in the region.
Damage from Ongoing War
The ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has caused extensive damage to radio stations in Darfur. Fierce battles for control have taken place, leading to plundering and destruction of radio stations.
The impact of the war has been particularly severe, with infrastructure, such as studios and transmitters, being destroyed. This has significantly reduced the work capacity of radio stations and hampered their ability to provide vital information to listeners.
Radio Nyala: One of the Oldest Stations
Established in 1983, Radio Nyala is one of the oldest radio stations in Darfur.
Despite the ongoing war, the station has persisted with its radio coverage of the conflict for its listeners in Darfur, Kordofan, and neighboring countries. However, the station has suffered extensive damage, with its studios and medium-wave transmitter being destroyed. This has greatly reduced its work capacity and made it challenging for the station to continue its operations effectively.
Systematic and Deliberate Sabotage
In an interview with Dabanga, Adam Hasan, the head of the broadcast engineering department at the South Darfur Radio and Television Corporation, described the extent of systematic and deliberate sabotage faced by Radio Nyala.
The station, which was reconstructed in 2008 at a significant cost, now faces an uncertain future due to the ongoing economic conditions. Despite efforts to rebuild, there is little hope for Radio Nyala to be restored to its former capacity. The deliberate and systematic destruction of the station has had a devastating impact on its ability to serve the community.
Radio Zalingei’s Resilience
Radio Zalingei, based in the capital of Central Darfur, has shown remarkable resilience amidst the ongoing war. After a seven-month hiatus due to the destruction caused by the conflict, the station was able to resume broadcasting. This was made possible through the efforts of grassroots organizations in Zalingei, which helped restore operations and repair the damage. Despite the challenges faced by the station, including the departure of employees, Radio Zalingei has continued to provide vital information to the local population.
Relocation and Reduced On-Air Time
Due to the departure of many employees from Central Darfur after the outbreak of fighting, Radio Zalingei was forced to relocate its offices and reduce its on-air time. The station now operates for three hours a day, down from its previous five-hour schedule. This reduction in on-air time has been necessary to cope with the limited resources and staff available. Despite these challenges, the station has adapted and continued to provide valuable news and information to the community.
Radio El Fasher’s Hiatus
Radio El Fasher, located in the capital of North Darfur, has faced its own difficulties. Following a months-long hiatus due to the lack of fuel and liquidity, the station has resumed broadcasting for only two hours a day.
The scarcity of resources has severely impacted its ability to operate at full capacity. The station, like many others in Darfur, has had to make significant adjustments to cope with the adverse conditions caused by the ongoing war.
Lack of Fuel and Liquidity
Radio El Fasher’s reduced operating hours are a direct result of the lack of fuel and liquidity in the region. Without these essential resources, the station is unable to function effectively. The scarcity of fuel and liquidity is a broader issue affecting the region, making it challenging for radio stations to operate and provide vital information to the community.
The impact of this scarcity was evident during World Radio Day celebrations, which passed unnoticed due to the challenging circumstances.
Radio Stations in West Darfur
Radio stations in West Darfur have faced their own set of challenges amidst the ongoing war. West Darfur Radio, for example, has continued to operate on a reduced schedule, with only 25 out of a total of 90 radio workers still present.
The fighting and instability in the region have forced many workers to flee, further complicating the operations of radio stations. Despite these challenges, West Darfur Radio has managed to maintain its operations and provide essential information to the local population.
Maintaining Operations
The challenges faced by radio stations in Darfur highlight the resilience and dedication of radio workers in the region. Despite ongoing conflicts and resource shortages, these workers have continued to provide vital information to their communities.
Their efforts in maintaining operations, even on a limited scale, help to ensure that residents receive important news and updates. The commitment of these radio workers to press on in the face of adversity is commendable.
Press Freedom in Sudan
The struggle faced by radio stations in Darfur is part of a larger issue regarding press freedom in Sudan. Journalists and media professionals have suffered disproportionately from violations and displacement since the start of the conflict. The critical state of press freedom in Sudan was highlighted in a joint statement by Sudanese media institutions and press organizations, including Dabanga. The challenges faced by radio stations in Darfur are a reflection of the broader challenges faced by journalists in the country.
In conclusion, the ongoing war in Darfur has had a significant impact on radio stations in the region. Stations such as Radio Nyala have faced extensive damage, forcing them to reduce their work capacity. Radio Zalingei has shown resilience and managed to continue its operations with reduced on-air time.
Radio El Fasher has faced its own challenges due to a lack of fuel and liquidity. Despite these obstacles, radio stations in West Darfur have maintained their operations and provided essential information to the community. The struggle faced by these stations is indicative of the broader challenges of press freedom in Sudan.
As World Radio Day passes, it is crucial to recognize the dedication and resilience of radio workers in Darfur who continue to serve their communities amidst difficult circumstances.
