For exemplifying the power of self-reliance, and for informing and educating the public about the Oromo struggle, history, politics, culture and language.
The Gadaa.com’s PERSONS OF THE YEAR 2012 are journalists and hosts working at the Oromo radiostations launched in 2012: Radio Afuura Biyyaa, Radio Marii, Radio Simbirtuu and Seife-Nebelbal Radio.
Over the last year, they collectively produced and aired more than 150 informative and inspirational online radio episodes to listeners in all corners of the world. They collectively interviewed scores of Oromo nationalist politicians, artists, scholars, elders, and youth activists as well as non-Oromo opinion makers – bridging the information gaps among several sectors of the Oromo nation. In addition, they provided timely news and analyses to their audience – mostly on a weekly basis. Over the last 12 months since their launches, their programs have attracted at least a quarter of a million online clicks (i.e. the number of times their programs were viewed by the audience).
Self-Reliance for Bilisummaa
Staffed with volunteers, and using low-end software and sound equipment put together in makeshift radio studios, the journalists and hosts of the radio stations were able to inform and inspire their audience in the midst of a multi-million-dollar media-campaign of disinformation and misinformation targeting the Oromo just struggle for freedom and justice.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., once said, “there is a great deal that we must do to lift ourselves by our own bootstraps.” Testament to this great quote on self-reliance, the four newly launched Oromo radio stations provided the Oromo nation an opportunity to lift itself up, a few inches at a time, from the 2000′s dismal state of affairs. Being controversial at times, challenging and inspiring the nation for “Tokummaa”and “Bilisummaa” at other times, the radio stations have helped the nation take the first step towards emancipation from self-decapitation.
Informing and Educating the Public
Immediately after their first broadcasts, the radio stations of freedom and justice: Seife-Nebelbal Radio,Radio Simbirtuu, Radio Afuura Biyyaa and Radio Marii, captivated the hearts and minds of their Oromo audience, and also informed their non-Oromo listeners about the just cause of the Oromo struggle. The radio stations presented detailed coverage of major Oromo events, such as Guyyaa Gootota Oromooand Irreechaa, from places like Las Vegas, Atlanta, Calgary (Canada), Houston, Toronto and others.
The radio stations brought to their audience’s attention about the plight of Oromo refugees in Yemen and elsewhere, and the challenges of Oromo women in east Africa in general, and Oromiyaa in particular. They also covered the ongoing movement of Qeerroo for national freedom and justice, and the Oromo and other Muslim movement for religious freedom in Ethiopia. In addition, the four radio stations brought to their audience the inspirational stories of health-justice advocate Ms. Obse Lubo, filmmaker Mr. Gammadoo Jamaal, author Mr. Amaan Hedatoo and Borana-Oromo calendar expertAbbaa Liban Dabbasaa Guyyoo. These are Oromo’s own stories which would have been left untold and unrecognized had it not been for the four radio stations.
Opportunities and Challenges
There are countless informative and inspirational stories of the Oromo yet to be told and recognized, and a vibrant network of media is needed to continue to tell and recognize these stories. For this great project of creating a vibrant network of media, aspiring young journalists and hosts are still needed to cover stories of all sectors of the nation and bring them to all sectors of the nation. The radio stations may also need to bring on board aspiring young journalists and hosts so that the stations can connect to their audience through social networking outlets.
Many challenges lie ahead for the Oromo nation in the coming years and decades as it struggles for national freedom and justice; a vibrant network of media will help the nation take on these challenges victoriously in the midst of the overwhelming odds it faces due to the geopolitics of the Horn of Africa. A vibrant network of media of the people can be up to the task of taking on these challenges with the support of the public – be it financially and morally. Citing a quote from Malcolm X, “the future belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
In conclusion, it is with great honor that Gadaa.com recognizes individuals working at Radio Afuura Biyyaa, Radio Marii, Radio Simbirtuu and Seife-Nebelbal Radio as its PERSONS OF THE YEAR 2012 for exemplifying the power of self-reliance, and for informing and educating the public about the Oromo struggle, history, politics, culture and language.
Here are the links to the previously aired programs of the radio stations:
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