“I know there is fierce competition between radio and television with its multiple channels,” el-Konayessi said in an interview with The Egyptian Gazette.
Radio has always been an essential part of the daily routine of the Egyptian family. It is the magic box that used to gather Egyptians around its programmes, forming and boosting the awareness of many generations. More importantly, Egyptian radio communicated important events in the country’s history. Nowadays fast-growing technologies have changed the media landscape in general and radio in particular.
Today, combined with digital and online technologies, radio continues to provide a compelling proposition for audiences, going where newer technologies cannot, beyond electricity, beyond a mobile signal and beyond literacy. Young and old have enriched Egyptian radio considerably.
Radio Anchor Hamdy el-Konayessi said that despite the fact that we are living in a world filled with mobile phones, tablets and computers, radio remains the most effective way to deliver information and still has the widest audience footprint.
“I know there is fierce competition between radio and television with its multiple channels,” el-Konayessi said in an interview with The Egyptian Gazette.
“However, Radio enjoys a myriad of unique features that enable it to keep its foothold and popularity over the years,” el-Konayessi added.
“Radio is accessible and your companion all the time, in your car, office, kitchen, and even your cell phone. It is also the cheapest media tool.”
El-Konayessi went on to say that radio is the media outlet that nourishes audience imagination.
“The listener can imagine what is going on in the studio. If there is a radio series, the listener may try to imagine the dramatic action and so on.
“A recent study suggests that television almost kills the imagination.”
Before 1934, radio in Egypt was privately owned, but thereafter, nationalisation swept away the community stations. Huna-l-Qahira (This is Cairo) were the first words heard on Egyptian Radio on 31 May 1934.
During the last 87 years, Egyptian radio has been witnessing many developments. The transistor radio of the 1960s revolutionised communication, drawing larger audiences.
Radio remains an influential media outlet in the digital age thanks to the constant contact of people with their computers, satellites and mobile phones. This has paved the way for the emergence of many private and online radio stations.
“The emergence of private and online stations has increased competition between radio stations in a way that can further enrich the Egyptian radio,” el-Konayessi said.
“Definitely, new radio stations should keep pace with new technologies and trends, but in the meantime, they should not neglect the well-established traditions of the Egyptian radio.
“We must bear in mind that radio is one of the most important sources of culture and it should be committed to its role to inform and educate.”
Hagar Gamil is programme director and presenter on Shaaby FM.
“Modern technologies and digital radio have a positive impact on media industry,” Gamil said.
“Now, you can address more social segments. You can address and approach younger generations through interesting tools like songs. The selection of topics being discussed in radio programmes also enhances radio popularity,” Gamil told this newspaper.
A radio presenter should master basic skills that have been indispensable in the past, and are still essential now, and will be so in the future, she said.
“For instance, radio presenter should have clear voice, be spontaneous without overacting. The presenter also should have broad general knowledge and a wide range of interests, including current affairs.”
The presenter should also be quick-witted and have time management skills. “These skills are part and parcel of radio career. As now we are living in social media era, the presenter should also be familiar with social networking sites,” she said.
Shaaby FM was launched in 2014 as part of Nile Radio Network.
New radio stations with their modern feel are also committed to educating and informing, Gamil said.
“Even if you present and discuss light or entertainment topics, you can do so in interesting and memorable ways. There is no contradiction between modernity and the cultural role of radio,” she said.
Shaaby FM plays old and modern folk music and its fans cannot be overlooked.
“We carefully select the songs and any indecent lyrics cannot be broadcast,” she said.
As for the future of Egyptian Radio, Gamil believes that there will be more radio stations.
“I think there will be more specialised stations and there will also be more focus on digital radio,” she added.
