Radio 📻 💔💔 what happened?

Dearest Chriselda Kananda, I fully appreciate your thought-provoking question, "Radio 📻 💔💔 what happened?" This inquiry resonates deeply with me, especially considering my experiences over the past 18 months in the radio landscape. As you challenge us to reflect on the evolution of radio in South Africa, I further advance that several key areas warrant our attention.

1. Historical Background of Radio

As we all may know, Radio has long been a vital medium in South Africa, serving as a platform for information, education, and entertainment. Over decades now, radio has played a crucial role in shaping public discourse and providing a voice to diverse communities. However, the landscape has dramatically changed with the rise of digital and social media platforms, which have introduced new ways for audiences to consume content. The past 18 months have made me realise that Nostalgia often colours our perception, leading us to yearn for a past that may not be feasible in today’s environment.

Ownership and Control of Radio

I contest that based on my personal experience thus far, a fundamental issue affecting the radio industry negatively lies in ownership and control. Many stations in South Africa are still dominated by a few entities that have historically shaped the industry for decades now. This concentration of ownership and control often prioritizes the interests of a select few over the broader community and audience. As we have observed, new online radio stations, such as those launched by well known personalities have struggled to achieve their intended objectives. This raises important questions about the systemic challenges that hinder the establishment, growth and sustainability of independent media platforms.

2. The Role of Community Radio

The initial promise of community media including community radio stations as platforms for local voices has been undermined in many cases. These stations have become vulnerable to manipulation by those in positions of power and authority including their controlling boards, which detracts from their original mission. In this radio space, board members dictate terms, often sidelining the needs and interests of the listeners and the community at large as per community media mandate. This environment stifles innovation and limits the potential for community engagement in the media landscape.

3. Contribution of Broadcasters

In recent times, a concerning trend has emerged among seasoned broadcasters. Instead of fostering unity and collaboration, many engage in personal conflicts that detract from the essence of radio, which is to inform, educate, and entertain. This shift raises critical questions about how broadcasters view their roles and the expectations we place on them as media professionals. The integrity of the medium is compromised when personal agendas overshadow the communal purpose of radio.

Before I am accused of bashing or crashing anyone, let it be know that over the past 18 months I have done my level best to reach out to legendary and experienced campaigners of the industry, humbly asking for their hand in helping bring back media from the dustbin it has been thrown into. I have never been subjected to such toxicity. Majority of them are blinded by the notion of entertainment and before engaging, I furiously blamed the captains of the industry, accusing them of sidelining and ignoring such talent, experience and expertise, and 18 months later, I apologise for my immature conclusion because I now know why most of these talented individuals are sidelined and ignored as they have always been. Working with them have left a beta pill to follow in my experience and without talking anyone down, with that kind of attitude and the mentality of entitlement that I have experienced, it is no surprise that the media industry, particularly radio, has gone down the drain as it has and I fully understand where your question is coming from..!

4. The Evolving Listener-Broadcaster Relationship

In addition to the broadcasters' roles, we must consider the evolving relationship between broadcasters and listeners. Unfortunately, many listeners have become embroiled in personal disputes among broadcasters, losing sight of the constructive engagement that once characterized radio interaction. The quality of listener contributions has declined, complicating the landscape further and detracting from the value of positive and constructive public discourse.

5. Financial Viability and Sustainability

The financial viability of new radio stations remains a critical concern. Many emerging platforms struggle to compete for advertising revenue, typically funneled through advertising agencies which are monopolised and controlled by the industry's elite. This poses significant barriers to entry for new players and diminishes opportunities for innovative content creation.

In response to these challenges, allow me to share a bit of my personal experience. Is a new kid on the block, the past 18 months has challenged me to go back to the drawing board and do things differently and in that, I’ve decided  my entity AGT Media Group to embrace a new path, a subscription model, a new direct financial model without being depended on infrastructure owned and controlled by the same old owners and captains of the industry, allowing our audience to directly support our initiatives. This approach not only fosters a sustainable business model but also prompts a critical reflection to all of us especially those who claim to have the best interests of the industry at heart: Are such people willing to invest in the media they wish to see thrive through diversification of ownership and control..?

6. Past, Present and Future

We have a resurrected legendary broadcasting entities of the past, Radio Bop is now Radio Bop Africa since December 2023, Radio Mmabatho is back as Radio Mmabatho Africa since September 2024, we will soon reintroduce Bop TV as Bop TV Africa this year and we have added an online publication called tuNEWS (The Unpalatable News). Feel free to visit www.agtgc.com for more details on these online platforms.

These initiatives demonstrate our commitment to revitalizing the authentic media landscape and providing quality content that resonates with our consumers of radio, television and newspapers.

In Short

I am suggesting that as we ponder the question of what happened to radio, it is equally important to reflect on the roles of role players such as broadcasters and consumers alike. I strongly believe that an honest introspection may give us some sense of direction and help us navigate the complexities of this evolving industry and strive to create a vibrant and impactful media landscape.

Thank you for initiating this vital conversation.

Warm regards,

N!xau Kealeboga Gift Mogapi

Group Founder, Executive Chairman & CEO

AGT Media Group of Companies (Bop Broadcasting Corporation)