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UNIFEED STORY: SOUTH SUDAN/ World Radio Day UNIFEED
TRT: 04:48
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 12 FEBRUARY 2026, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
1. Various shots, Radio Miraya crew at work in the studio
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Hellen Toby, Presenter, Radio Miraya:
“Radio is everywhere. You can access radio in remote areas. You can access it in the towns. Given the current situation in South Sudan, radio plays an important role by giving information, easing tensions where there is conflict, and providing accurate news and, also, playing a role in ensuring that misinformation is not there.”
3. Various shots, Radio Miraya staff in the studio and working news
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Patricia Okoed, Head of Programming, Radio Miraya:
“Radio Miraya contributes very heavily by promoting dialogue, countering misinformation and disinformation, and allowing for open and free discussion with regards to peace. It is also very helpful because it amplifies the voices of those who are unheard, it also allows people in hard-to-reach areas to access information, most times critical information. It also serves as an early warning platform, oftentimes, we are able to get information that we might not have otherwise gotten without radio, and this helps us to de-escalate, sometimes even mitigate or even prevent conflict.”
5. Various shots, staff meeting, and news presenters in the studio
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Lucas Gunwel, Presenter, Radio Miraya:
“It’s traumatic. Listeners who call in to express their pain, their sorrows, their concerns although the space for freedom of expression is quite difficult, but sometimes those who try to call and express themselves always paint a grim picture of what life is like. Those who have lost loved ones, conflicts that have displaced people, lack of service delivery, natural disasters where nobody is coming to help the people. For us, who are always on radio, it is something that we have decided to live with.”
7. Various shots, Senior Correspondent Gabriel Joseph Shadar at workstation
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Gabriel Joseph Shadar, Senior Correspondent, Radio Miraya:
“Empowering people is very important for me. Giving information to people, giving voice to the voiceless, people who have never imagined they would be heard all over the country and, also, the respect you gain from the listeners and the people that you are working with and the sense that you are contributing to something very positive in the country. This is very important for me.”
9. Various shots, Big Brother in the studio
As the day dawns in South Sudan, the Radio Miraya team is already live on-air bringing news and views to audiences across the country. Operated by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the radio network has the largest reach and is a critical tool for peacebuilding at a time of escalating conflict.
SOUNDBITE (English) Hellen Toby, Presenter, Radio Miraya:
“Radio is everywhere. You can access radio in remote areas. You can access it in the towns. Given the current situation in South Sudan, radio plays an important role by giving information, easing tensions where there is conflict, and providing accurate news and, also, playing a role in ensuring that misinformation is not there.”
More than 60 percent of people interviewed in an UNMISS Perception Survey reported radio to be their main source of news and information, compared to social media (5.4 percent), television (3.5 percent), and newspapers (1.8 percent). Of those able to access Radio Miraya, 84.7% listen every day and more than 70 percent feel that it is important because of its impartiality, fair, balanced, and accurate reporting, and promotion of peace.
SOUNDBITE (English) Patricia Okoed, Head of Programming, Radio Miraya:
“Radio Miraya contributes very heavily by promoting dialogue, countering misinformation and disinformation, and allowing for open and free discussion with regards to peace. It is also very helpful because it amplifies the voices of those who are unheard, it also allows people in hard-to-reach areas to access information, most times critical information. It also serves as an early warning platform, oftentimes, we are able to get information that we might not have otherwise gotten without radio, and this helps us to de-escalate, sometimes even mitigate or even prevent conflict.”
In the same Perception Survey, almost 40 percent of respondents felt that they were not free to publicly express their opinions and 37 percent reported experiencing intimidation, threats, arrests, or attacks for having done so. Radio Miraya is critical to countering this challenge by providing a safe space where people feel heard and empowered to share their experiences. Even though some of those stories are difficult to hear.
SOUNDBITE (English) Lucas Gunwel, Presenter, Radio Miraya:
“It’s traumatic. Listeners who call in to express their pain, their sorrows, their concerns although the space for freedom of expression is quite difficult, but sometimes those who try to call and express themselves always paint a grim picture of what life is like. Those who have lost loved ones, conflicts that have displaced people, lack of service delivery, natural disasters where nobody is coming to help the people. For us, who are always on radio, it is something that we have decided to live with.”
For 19-year veteran current affairs specialist, Gabriel Shadar, radio is also a powerful tool for securing accountability, including of political decision-makers and security actors.
SOUNDBITE (English) Gabriel Joseph Shadar, Senior Correspondent, Radio Miraya:
“Empowering people is very important for me. Giving information to people, giving voice to the voiceless, people who have never imagined they would be heard all over the country and, also, the respect you gain from the listeners and the people that you are working with and the sense that you are contributing to something very positive in the country. This is very important for me.”
As the day ends, most people head home to be with their families. But for this dedicated team, work continues throughout the night as they keep investigating, searching for news, providing entertainment, and promoting peace.
