“News you can use” is how Swahili Service Chief Mwamoyo Hamza describes the service’s new radio program VOA Express. Designed to reach young audiences in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, the 30-minute magazine-style show includes segments of news and information that young people can easily relate to. The first show featured a story titled “If you don’t have a job,” which included peer to peer advice to young people about how to get a job or start a business. One of the goals of VOA Express is to show young people that they have the power to make good and worthwhile lives for themselves.
Other topics in the first show included a feature on the U.S. midterm elections and a segment on the pros and cons of the East Africa federation.
VOA Express also gives listeners a chance to participate by calling in to ask questions or comment on particular topics. “This new program,” says service chief Mwamoyo Hamza, “is energetic, fast-paced, engaging, all of which are important when it comes to appealing to certain groups.”
VOA Express, airs Monday through Friday at 1330 UTC (9.30 am Washington time), on VOA’s 24/7 FM transmitter in Nairobi. It is also featured prominently on the service’s digital platforms and carried on social media-driven content in the “What’s Trending” section of its webpage.