Local radio stations unify broadcast in solidarity with Kasasbeh

AMMAN — A group of local radio stations unified their broadcast on Thursday in solidarity with slain Jordanian air force pilot Muath Kasasbeh.

Twelve stations that broadcast in the Arabic language were part of the “Sawtuna Wahed” (Our Voice is One) national initiative, according to Yazan Abu Jarad, director general of Radio Hala, the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) radio.

He said two or three radio show hosts and presenters from each of the participating stations collaborated over Radio Hala’s live broadcast hours.

“The unified broadcasting programme included phone discussions with key speakers, decision makers and journalists, in addition to participatory calls from listeners,” Abu Jarad told The Jordan Times, adding that national songs were also played.

“The one-day initiative is a stand against terrorism and the spread of any possible rumours… it is also a stand with the army, which fights terrorism,” he added in the phone interview.

The initiative brought radio stations together “despite the high competition”, according to Ghassan Samara, production manager at JBC radio, which took part in the initiative. 

“This is a true embodiment of national solidarity,” he told The Jordan Times, noting that JBC radio broadcasts political programmes that criticise the government, “but not in these critical times”.

“Jordan’s media before Muath will not be the same after Muath,” Samara said, highlighting the “positive” feedback on the initiative from the station’s fans via social media websites.

He added that unified broadcasting started at 10am and continued until 7pm. 

Ahmad Tarawneh, station manager at Ayyam FM, another participant in the initiative, said “Sawtuna Wahed” sought to galvanise the efforts to present a unified and comprehensive content that reinforces the strength of Jordanians in these times.

“The broadcasting programme included a morning show, a religious show and an afternoon drive show to cater to the tastes of all segments of society,” Tarawneh told The Jordan Times over the phone.

He noted that Radio Hala was the “incubator” of the initiative, although its management refused to claim credit.

“All participating stations took the signal Radio Hala broadcast and re-broadcast it,” he noted. 

Facebook pages of stations participating in the initiative were flooded with comments paying tribute to Kasasbeh, who was killed by the so-called Islamic State terrorist group, and expressing appreciation for the initiative.

“We were all united, not only the broadcasting,” wrote Dalia Zohud, who praised the solidarity of Jordanians.

Mohammad Abu Jassar agreed.

“Thank God that Jordanians always stand together in good and bad times… I am proud to be Jordanian,” he posted.

Meanwhile, another user suggested including local English-speaking radio stations in the initiative to engage non-Arabs residing in Jordan, but Tarawneh said that would be difficult because they have a different audience. He noted that many English stations played classical music all day and did not broadcast their regular programmes.