FEATURE:
On Our Wavelength
The Importance of Radio During These Times
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WITH no set date or timeline…
PHOTO CREDIT: Freepik
as to when we can return to normal, many people are finding ways to keep themselves busy and engaged in quite close confines. Our normal routines have been disrupted, and we are not going to pubs and cafes. Instead, the home has become a central hub for most of us. Of course, T.V. and the Internet are important, but radio is essential at this time. You can listen to live shows and podcasts on BBC Sounds, and we can all find something to suit our tastes. I want to bring in a fascinating article Jane Garvey penned for iNews on Friday, 20th March. I think there is a real divide between what radio offers and how the coronavirus is documented on social media. Of course, we need to keep informed of the facts and sensible information but, with few filters and a lot of panic out there, most of our feeds are crammed with anxiety-ridden images, posts and foreboding warnings. I have had to mute some people who continuously posted tweets regarding the amount of deaths being recorded and how we need to do more. Others keep posting angry tweets about panic buying and, whilst everyone is scared and in the same boat, I think there needs to be that balance of rational and sensible advice and compassion. The latter is very important. I have seen a lot of benevolence and love on social media – much more than usual -, but every morning fills me with sadness when I see the posts and pictures filling up my timeline on Twitter and Facebook.
IN THIS PHOTO: Jane Garvey is one of the main presenters on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour (alongside Jenni Murray) - she also co-hosts Fortunately… with Fi and Jane with Fi Glover/PHOTO CREDIT: BBC
From musicians streaming free gigs to ordinary people offering help to those near them, the best of humanity has also been exposed on social media. Whilst heart-warming, I do miss the warmth of community and hearing people speak. That sounds odd, but the chatter of crowds and the busy commute, oddly, is what I yearn to experience once more! I have been relying on radio more and more to keep me running and on the level. Jane Garvey makes an interesting observation in her (excellent) feature:
“Social media’s frothing away, of course. Twitter offers me images of empty shelves and sharp elbows at Tesco. Instagram has posey images of perfect family lives (let’s see how you all feel about each other in September) and endless targeted ads for enormous bras. Although that may just be me.
No, this is radio’s time. And I mean live radio. Only we can see you through. TV news may well be rolling, but it can never be as fast, flexible, or friendly. And that latter is important. Particularly now. News radio used to be much mocked, but it never was just middle-aged men clamouring for the return of the death penalty. Now it’s a vital resource for millions. Necessarily ragged at times, free-flowing, unscripted, gripping and occasionally awful. Or wrong. But don’t worry, we can put it right in a minute”.
I am a huge fan of BBC Radio 6 Music, and I have been listening to wonderful broadcasters like Lauren Laverne, and Shaun Keaveny keeping us upbeat and loved. It must be hard for those in radio to get into the studio and broadcast with fewer people around them than normal. They feel isolated and lonely, yet they produce this familial hug and sense of compassion that speaks to everyone at this difficult time. Jane Garvey is one of the presenters on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, and (the show) has a deep connection with listener and provides information, brilliant radio and unity – at a time like this, I think more people will be tuning in. From the Lauren Laverne-hosted Desert Island Discs to Sounds of the 90s with Fearne Cotton, there is an ocean of choice out there!
IN THIS PHOTO: Shaun Keaveny presents weekdays between 1-4 p.m. on BBC Radio 6 Music/PHOTO CREDIT: BBC
Most of the year, we are distracted by Smartphones and what texts we are getting; we waste a lot of time staring into the virtual abyss, and I wonder whether people are missing out on the ever-expanding rainbow of radio. It is not just the fabulous BBC stations that you need to investigate. There are some engaging, memorable and diverse podcasts around; Internet radio stations worth your time, and some great international options. To me, radio is about that live experience; the real-time conversation between broadcaster(s) and the loyal listener. I am not sure how long networks like the BBC will be able to allow their staff to come to work and broadcast, but we are very lucky we can enjoy live radio from our favourite presenters – I guess many could broadcast from home in some form. Whilst the severity of the coronavirus is on the news, life is much more than a pandemic: there is still so much to enjoy and look forward to. The embracing bosom that radio offers cannot be underestimated. There are a lot of articles out there that state why radio in important in terms of developing nations and those deprived – how it can give them a source of education and information. There are few articles that shine a light on the wonderful diversity of the medium and how, at a time when streaming and the digital are ruling, radio remains popular, invaluable and full of wonder.
ILLUSTRATION CREDIT: Freepik
When we come out the other end of the coronavirus pandemic – or the worst has ended -, I think we all need to seriously reappraise and re-evaluate what radio means. Even I have been a bit lax and restricted in my tastes. I listen to BBC Radio 6 Music during certain periods in the week and weekend, but I have been tuning my dial to other stations at times when I would normally (idly) surf the Internet or fritter my time. As I said, there is a lot of fearmongering and misinformation out there, which can add to the confusion and uncertainty we all feel now. Alongside the purples, pinks, and yellows of goodness, generosity of spirit and the deep-rooted human instinct to help are the blacks, mud-browns and bleak reds of alarm, catastrophising and morbidity. True, we will not get through this in the short-term, but we will get through it. So much pragmatism gets lost when we go on to social media and see what is being posted. Radio is like the staunch and respected Captain rallying the troops and providing wonderful leadership; it is the loving mother who sits us down, has a chat with a cup of tea and makes us feel reassured; it is the stranger who says something profoundly unexpected and connects with us in a very exciting way; it is all of these and so much more! If you want quality music covering all the genres, you are spoiled for choice. If you prefer documentaries, podcasts, and information broadcasts, there are ample options. Here is a list of radio stations in the U.K. Whilst many of us are consuming more calories and alcohol to help qualm and quash the lava of anxiety – the endless hunt to find toilet roll or healthy food is a struggle! -, radio is here to keep us calm, warm and heard. Once this thing is all over, I think we all need to give applause and thanks to…
PHOTO CREDIT: Dougal Waters/Getty Images
RADIO’S universal and powerful voice.