This archive report was first published on 25 August 2021.
On August 25, 2021, Broadcast Media Africa (BMA) and 2Gwana Media hosted the third edition of their free-to-attend online forum under the 'Strengthening Community Radio Broadcasting in Africa' programme.
As part of the lead-up to the online forum, BMA interviewed Farida Idris, Group Commercial Director at Capital FM in Kenya. Idris highlighted the significance of community radio and podcasting in shaping societal consciousness and addressing previously taboo issues.
Idris noted that podcasting in African communities is still in its infancy, with growing listenership and consumption but yet to reach its critical mass. She emphasized the need for community radio and podcasting to find ways to incorporate advertisers better or explore alternative revenue streams.
Idris suggested that partnerships with traditional media and opening up the space to more players could help foster the growth of community media spaces and leverage podcasting as a tool for their mandate across the African continent.
She also emphasized the importance of crafting storytelling formats for each sub-culture or community, with podcasts serving as a great equalizer, allowing bedroom content creators to compete with media houses with large studios and production budgets.
Idris will be a featured speaker and panelist at the online forum, where she will share her insights and experiences in the field of community radio and podcasting.
