Africa-Press – Lesotho. In an effort to create awareness to the Basotho nation about the importance of radio in promoting access to information, the Lesotho National Commission for UNESCO (LNCU) in partnership with Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Lesotho commemorated the World Radio Day last week.
This years’ theme is: ‘radio and sports focus on how radio can promote diversity in sports through coverage of “traditional” and grassroots games enabling people to “reconnect” with their cultural heritage.
February 13 was chosen to mark the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Radio Day and this years’ theme focused on power of radio and sports.
This is the seventh edition since the celebration was introduced in 2012. The celebration started with 5km fun run from Katlehong to the Institute of Extra-Mural Studies (IEMS). The event also saw Lesotho elite boxers sparring to cheer up the attendants.
It again focused on the role of sports coverage in shaping stereotypes and norms about gender and how radios may have the ability to promote a balanced coverage on men and women sports.
Passing the message of the day from Audney Azoulay (UNESCO Director General), Tieho Rankhone from UNESCO said radio is a powerful means to transmit the enthusiasm of sports events.
He added it is also a means to convey the values of fair play, team work and equity in sports. “Radio can help combat racism and xenophobia stereotypes that are, alas, expressed both on and off the field.
“It allows a broad range of traditional sports to be covered, far beyond the elite teams and also provides the opportunity to nature diversity, as a force for dialogue and tolerance,” reads Azoulay‘s message.
The message also indicated that only four percent of sports media content is dedicated to women sports. Only 12% of sports news is presented by women.
“On World Radio Day, let us mobilize to make radio an increasingly independent and pluralist media. Let us join forces to celebrate the potential of sports radio in furthering development and peace,” it reads.
On the other hand, MISA Lesotho Chairperson, Boitumelo Koloi said it is true that sports and radio are the only available tools that can play a major role in unifying people in the world.
The world looking forward to promote gender equality but Koloi said women representation in sports is unsatisfactory. He made an example with referring to lack of women sportscasters, saying Lesotho does not have such women yet.
On behalf of the Ministry of Gender and Youth, Sport and Recreation Thabo Tsiki mentioned that the ministry’s mission is to transform the country’s sport to be a life earning career. Therefore he urged radios to keep on promoting all different kind of sporting codes from different levels.
For More News And Analysis About Lesotho Follow Africa-Press
