Mariama Bah, Station Manager of Rise Radio
Local journalists in Freetown have been taken on a conducted tour of the ultra-modern facilities and equipment of the newly established Rise Radio 96.3 FM at its 20 Hall Street, Brookfields in Freetown.
Mariama Bah, Station Manager of Rise Radio 96.3 FM said: “Rise Radio, being owned and managed by women speaks volume of women not only presenting themselves in a male dominated world but with evidences to show their strides. We are not there yet, but so far, I am proud to be part of this generation of inspiring women who are intentionally creating a positive impact for a safe and better world and at RISE radio 96.3 FM, we remain committed.”
She said as a community service media organisation, they will continue to ensure that women, girls and young people use this medium as an advocacy tool to strengthen and build an inclusive and just society.
Mariama Bah said Rise Radio is a community service media organisation, which seeks to provide a platform and, opportunity to amplify the voices of women, girls and young people in addressing critical and emerging issues affecting them and to promote human rights, a just and inclusive society, democracy and progressive governance through radio broadcast.
“It is the ‘voice of many voices’ offering space and opportunities to diverse groups, to share their experiences, views, concerns and perspectives. Rise Radio will be known for its high-quality, relevant and vibrant programming and will serve as a model for diversity, equity and inclusion, while maintaining professional standards and ethical values” the station manager assured.
She went on that the Radio connects and amplifies the voices of girls, women and young people and that it is an advocacy platform for democracy and human rights and promotes an exchange of ideas that enriches people’s lives.
Speaking on its core values, Mariama said they promote diversity, equity and inclusion; strive to serve their audience better; engage communities in authentic and meaningful ways and respect their audience.
“Rise Radio seeks to operate as a public and community service media organisation, dedicated to promoting an agenda of issues, produce, disseminate empowering and motivating messages and products relating to girls, women and young across Sierra Leone; it promotes good governance, democracy and human rights, awareness raising about education, health, environment, and sport of all kinds; engage in online news, event management, public relations, media advertisement, media advocacy, effective monitoring to support and protect the status and interest of the citizens of Sierra Leone; operates and own stations and offices across Sierra Leone for the production and transmission or link programmes or otherwise to deal in such communication services, and other related engineering work and apparatus of every kind; engages in the activities of media campaign and to own radio stations, publishers, developers of content; carries on the activities of radio specialists, consultancy and experts advertising agents for government, business owners, companies, non-governmental organizations, and community base organisations; sets up and operate production room for editing news, to undertake media and jingles for products and services; and raises funds and help raise funds for any charitable purpose relating to women, girls and young people”. Mariama Bah stated.
She concluded that: “Rise Radio complies with all the rules and regulations governing the registration and operation media institutions in Sierra Leone. It abides by the Independent Media Commission (IMC) Code of Practice, the rules and regulations of the National Telecommunication Commission (NATCOM) and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) Code of Ethics”.
Alhaji Manika Kamara is National Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists. He applauded the management of Rise Radio for what he termed as “creating an academy for young women in the media.” He encouraged the team of young and new journalists working for the radio, mostly women, to be independent and impartial in their work and most importantly follow guidelines from media law books including those of the Independent Media Commission, while also encouraging them to join SLAJ when they are due for registration.
President of Women In The Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL), Femi Coker also made similar commendations and recommendations to the young female journalists.
