The 140th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) aired on the subject theme. The programme was dedicated to the International Radio Day and discussed the importance of radio as medium of communication, for dissemination of information and community focused; demand oriented programming and awareness.
The first guest on show, Mr. Khaista Rehman, President, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Broadcasters Forum noted that radio, though a conventional media, but will never be dated and continue to serve as an important platform to propagate and disseminate the messages key to community education and awareness. Community radio is an important community-oriented service and a platform available to the members of the community to voice their concerns and problems, and connect them with the stakeholders at different levels of governance in different parts of the country. It connects them with other parts of the country in different ways for instance broadcasting their issues and aspirations to, and providing them news and information from other parts of the country, respectively.
Given the massive footprint and outreach of radio networks across the country, it can be used to achieve various development objectives like inculcating constitutional awareness and education among the public and cultivating law abiding, respectful and responsible citizenship. Also promoting the values of respect for fundamental human rights, acceptance of differences and adherence to rule of law as an investment in the socially cohesive and healthy society.
The second guest on show, Mr. Afsar ul Mulk Afghan, Secretary General, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Broadcasters Forum, said that radio is one of the most powerful mediums to connect the diverse communities across the country and foster understanding among them about differences of culture, tradition, language and more.
The third guest on show, Ms. Zoonash Zaki, Ulasi Taroon Alumna and a student of City University, Peshawar noted that radio still has a huge potential given its outreach especially to the people at the grass root level, and can even be used for educational purposes and soft skills development.
About Ulasi Taroon
Ulasi Taroon is a counter radicalization initiative of Center for Research and Security Studies that aims to address the radicalization challenges, extremist ideologies and foster social cohesion through a discourse anchored in the core constitutional values which are fundamentally essential prerequisites for social peace and harmony. The endeavor aims to cultivate and sensitize the people of KP in the core values in the Pakistani constitution and our social contract. It’s an attempt to highlight the criticality of abiding by these ideals – such as adherence to rule of law, primacy and sanctity of constitution, equal citizenry, responsible citizenship, respect for fundamental human rights, tolerance for diversity and different opinions, inclusive democracy and good governance – as a measure of strengthening social cohesion and promoting peaceful co-existence.