Radio stations broadcast live and record audio professionally in soundproofed rooms that remove unwanted noises that may get mixed into broadcasts.

A typical radio station consists of console, microphones, computers and occasionally some older analogue-based equipment. Though most radio stations have switched to digital operations, ‘reel-to-reel’ tape recorders/players are still around. Automation and Playout software is a core component. Even when running with a live announcer, most stations use an automation system to assist the announcer in playing and recording audio. Most radio stations employ sophisticated software to automatically run the station or to assist a live DJ in running the station

In most countries that actually depend upon oral means of communication, radio broadcasting has been seen to strive effortlessly. Africa have been rated the highest user of radio broadcasting in the world with Senegal maintaining its position as the highest country with most radio users. This could probably be dues to a lot of reasons not excluding the slow rate at which development is gradually creeping into the region.

All the same, it needs to be noted that radio broadcasting is still an essential form of broadcasting in the world. Infact, it is said to be the first type of broadcasting that evolved before the advent of television broadcasting. Nevertheless, it has been saddled with a lot of challenges in recent times. We shall look at some of the challenges that have befallen radio broadcasting:

Problems from radio’s use of NICTs

The use of NICTs by radio stations has produced repercussions on radio itself, as well as on its basic functions as an information dissemination technology. Likewise, the emergence of private radio stations has had significant effects on the audiovisual landscape. First, as a technology, radio has moved from being merely an information and communication technology (ICT) to an NICT, due to modern advances such as frequency modulation.

Challenges encountered in frequency modulation

The transition to frequency modulation, or FM, figured prominently, during the 1980s, among the major political options of Senegalese radio broadcasting officials. This occurred in the context of a dual concern: improving listening quality and promoting an alternative radio dedicated primarily to cultural programming.

Political exploitation

The radio broadcasting has since been a major disastrous tool which has been used by the Government to exploit the citizens. A cynical example can be seen in the case of a military coup d’ etat where in the military usually gets hold of the radio stations and then use it as a means of communication to the people. Most of the decrees that have been made in the history of military takeovers have always been done through the use of radio.

Lack of National development

Due to the fact that the radio is a broadcasting system which uses only sound, most people tend to use it to perpetrate a lot of discriminatory propagandas which can be very detrimental to the growth of a nation. The lack of proper education of the uses of the radio as a media tool is yet to be effectively recognized by most citizens especially in Africa.

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