#ICYMI: Radio Today’s future at stake
PARKTOWN NORTH – Presenters, employees and listeners of community station Radio Today want to know why they were not informed about the station's financial problems.
Radio Today presenters, employees and listeners who attended the community station’s annual general meeting over the weekend were visibly upset when they were informed that the station is in dire financial straits.
The meeting was held at the radio station’s offices in the beautiful surrounds of the GardenShop in Parktown North on 19 February.
Employees and presenters demanded to know why they were not informed about the station’s financial problems.
Chairperson of the radio station, Scott Mc Rae told the group that liquidation might even be on the cards.
“We are trading recklessly and our advertising income has dropped like many other radio stations,” said Mc Rae.
He stressed that management was, however, doing everything possible to save Radio Today.
The community radio station has been broadcasting for the past 22 years to more than 50 000 listeners in the greater Johannesburg area.
Presenter Natashia Bearam-Edmunds said employees of the station have been working without pay for three months. Bearam-Edmunds said, “The station’s presenters are now contributing to the employees’ transport money out of their own pockets so that the station programming continues while we await the special AGM to be held 3 March.”
One of the concerns highlighted at the meeting was the possible closure of Radio Today’s most valuable asset, its Radio Academy. The academy is a social initiative designed to train previously disadvantaged individuals in all aspects of radio and broadcasting. The academy’s trainees are mentored and trained to prepare them for a career in the business of sound.
@Radio2Day management believes their hope to save the station is not in vain because President @CyrilRamaphosa said government wants to help arts and culture. @RK_Gazette @nikifernandes4 @IngridPepler1
— Ingrid Pepler (@IngridPepler1) February 17, 2018
@IngridPepler1 @nikifernandes4@Radio2Day listener tells AGM meeting "You lose listeners if your favourite presenter isn't there anymore."
— Ingrid Pepler (@IngridPepler1) February 17, 2018
@IngridPepler1 @Radio2Day presenter Niall Collie: It would be a very sad day for our incredibly loyal listeners if the station has to close down after 21 years.
— Ingrid Pepler (@IngridPepler1) February 17, 2018
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