Mediacorp DJs come together for Community Engagement Programme workshop
31 October 2007
Radio is a key channel of information to reach out to the masses in moments of crisis.
That's why some 50 Mediacorp Radio deejays have come together to discuss ways they can help to strengthen social cohesion and maintain national harmony.
This Community Engagement Programme workshop is co-organised by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, as well as the CEP Secretariat from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Shaffiq Alkhatib reports.
Many of us tune in to our favourite radio stations to listen to the latest hits.
Besides providing an avenue for us to keep up with the latest news and updates, radio also plays an integral role in promoting social cohesion.
It's a big responsibility, as deejays will be on the frontline in times of crisis, says Class 95's Flying Dutchman.
"You as a radio presenter are very much a first line person. The public will turn to you for information. They will turn to you for some degree of comfort. They will turn to you for a case of 'I dont know what to do. What am I going to do?' It's a big responsibility."
Another participant, Oli's Mohamed Rafi Abu Bakar, says deejays can also help to calm distressed members of the public and remind them not to panic.
"What a deejay is expected to is that, the public will want to know a lot of things about what's going on. So we are there to help them disseminate the information. Whatever we get, we are supposed to tell them not to panic and to be calm throughout."
The workshop is timely and necessary, says MHA's Director of Community Engagement, Ong-Chew Peck Wan.
"Deejays can help Singaporeans stay tuned and connected and ensure that we remain united and resilient through adversity."
The CEP Secretariat and agencies such as the Manpower Ministry and the People's Association will continue to engage relevant organisations to build networks of trust.
Please click here to listen to the FM93.8 News bulletin on Workshop for Deejays.
"In a protracted crisis, the radio is the most personally accessible mass media for the individual. In the noisy static of confusion and anxiety in a crisis, all DJs are the familiar voices of comfort and trust. The DJs therefore play a vital role to keep our people engaged."
Note: No reproduction is allowed without permission from MediaCorp Radio.
Mediacorp DJs come together for Community Engagement Programme workshop (in Tamil)
Many of us tune in to the radio to listen to good songs and hear the latest news and developments. Currently the radio is also playing a key role in strengthening social bonding. In that respect, today’s workshop was very useful, says Oli 96.8 DJ Mohd Rafi.
Rafi (among other things,) says:
This workshop basically explained what happens before an emergency, during an emergency and after an emergency. During an emergency the public would rely on the media like radio and tv. They would want to know what had happened, if there would be any repercussions, whether anything had happened to their loved ones. The role of the mass media is very crucial. In particular, we must know how to contain the situation.
Through this workshop, we have got a very good understanding of what is the role of the media (and what is the role of) we people who are working in the media in the event of an emergency. In fact, it must be said that this workshop has brought about an awareness.
Please click here to listen to the FM96.8 News bulletin on Workshop for Deejays.
