BY PROBLYN J. ALPHA
Fuel scarcity in the country and Kono district in particular has created media blackout for certain radio stations in Kono District.
This is as a result of certain radio stations that operate with generators finds it very difficult to broadcast on daily basis because the fuel which keeps the radio stations on air is very expensive and unaffordable for the management of the respective stations.
At the moment these radio stations are unable to perform their fundamental roles and responsibilities that is to inform, educate and entertain the listening audience thus causing involuntarily media blackout. Talking to this media one of the community radio station Managers in Kono District, Mr. IbrahimTamba Fanday of Citizen Radio Station F.M 107.5 maintained that amidst the prevailing challenges in the media landscape in the district, the reported fuel scarcity has made the situation worrisome as business is not forth coming for managers of the respective radio stations to buy fuel for their generators in order for the stations to be on air and running.
“How can we keep our stations on air when proceeds of notices jingles and radio discussions that seldom come to the stations cannot allow us to broadcast even on twenty hours basis per day”, the station manager of citizen radio F.M 107.5 in Kono District asked. The fuel scarcity besides the media blackout in Kono District has also increased in the number of pedestrians as a good number of vehicle owners have involuntarily packed their vehicles as they could not afford the present fifteen thousand Leones ( Le 15,000) cost of a liter of fuel and are left with no option but to become pedestrians.
