Like good music, new trends seek to be sampled, enjoyed and inhaled with a clean attitude of yearning and vim. The challenge rests upon technology, to reward us with even better scissors to cut the chase on great platforms from which journalists can share information. Yesterday, the stylus on the phonograph worked the magic, as our grandfathers gently placed it on the record that would then go round and fill their every fibre with what was thought to be great sound then.
Although the reminiscence drills our hearts with memory and desire, we mustn’t forget that the fire has been lit, and it sits with us now. What a promise! Our trek from retro sound got us safe to the era of Frequency Modulation (F.M) broadcasting. Oh! we’ve had quite an experience tuning in to our F.M stations, but now it’s time to re-imagine the future. As we do that, let’s think about a radio we can always listen to regardless of our location, one whose frequency doesn’t change once you step into the next region.
The Media Challenge Initiative, Uganda recognized the great need for a more solid radio platform, went ahead and spoiled us with a radio app that shall henceforth cure our lust for good music and the right information on everything CURRENT AFFAIRS. Onward Radio Soldiers! Please buckle up, let me tell you about this new radio app.
ABOUT THE MCI RADIO APP
Contents
A grand digital distraction in the tech space of Radio Journalism in Uganda
The App was developed by the Media Challenge Initiative (MCI), a youth-led non-for-profit that aims at building the next generation of journalists in Africa.
MCI Radio is an online broadcaster that runs 24/7 (always at your service), and hosts shows covering current affairs on social, economic and political aspects of our daily living.
On the evening of February the 28th, this year, MCI Radio was launched, with its first show, News Laughs hosted by Onen Andrew, going on air. The radio has since hosted a number of shows and never turned back.
Shows currently hosted on MCI Radio
The Debunk by Abaas Mpindi
The show does a great job of puncturing the hot balloon of false information, call it fake news. As the industry decries the spread of lies on news and social platforms, it’s even worse now, during this covid-19 period where every ear and eye is desperate for the next update, The Debunk does just right!
Stay Home Magazine by Ronald Mugabi
This show discusses global perspectives on locally-sourced community stories delivered by correspondents. With a unique and creative rod that slumps to meet a mini-feature by Bella Twine the conversation runs into an even deeper exploration of the lifestyle in different communities as people are making an effort to #StayHome.
Newz Laughs by Andrew Onen
The show is a mix of edutainment and infotainment molded by a comic clay of presentation to make a strong pot filled with what we call ‘news’. The show intends to keep listeners hooked, in its divergence from the traditional news delivery.
Music and Life by Canaan Arinda
Here’s a taste of the African spirit! Canaan drives you down the lane of African traditional music and shares some insights into the performance of this music. A good one; the songs composed when the corona virus melted out of her shell are reviewed on this show. Get to learn the relevance of all these messages crafted into song and how the music has been received by people of different societies, online and offline.
Community Solutions by Christine Kabazira
Each community has its socio-economic challenges such as education, transport, business issues. How the people solve their challenges is the lesson this show shares with the listeners. It emphasizes the need to learn from one another as well as the role played by teamwork in overcoming community challenges.
Sunday Caravan by Joseph Ssebandeke
A gospel show that meets your spiritual needs, with worship and reflection
Ramadhan Special by Rashida Tabingwa
A show here to teach you about Islam and the fasting period of Muslims. The show shall be re-branded after Ramadhan.
DW Moment
The MCI partners with DW in Germany, who contribute content which focuses on Africa.
How to access the MCI Radio App
The MCI Radio has been reduced to an app, for more convenience.
You can now download the app from your Google Play Store for Android users.
If you’re using an iOS device or any other device that is not an Android phone, you can also listen in through any browser, using this link .
Perspective
“The MCI Radio App also has additional features such as the Outreach Program Component which gives the journalists a chance to produce content that ideally would be of interest to each and everyone. MCI is here to support and give the growing journalists an idea of who they want to be, what kind of journalism to practise and help them understand the trends. Our priority as MCI is to create platforms for young journalists, upon the realization that there is a big gap between the media market and the skills that they have.“
– Abaas Mpindi (C.E.O, Media Challenge Initiative)
Reflection
Radio is a tickle that excites our heels when we desire a dance, that massages our intellects, causes hard-collected smiles to solidify, and pats us with the reminder that she’ll be our much-needed noise amid the silence of needs, and our good friend to help us forget the day’s pressures and set calmly with the sun; the intimacy!- To listen in whenever, an even richer blessing.
The idea of a radio app in Uganda is wise- what can I say! This is a great score for the future of Radio Journalism.
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