Why are you so Critical of SBS Dinka Radio?
7 min readBy David Ajak Deng Chiengkou
Executive Producer-SBS Dinka Radio Program
Get us right 06/06/2014
Wow; i was not on Facebook for the last few hours but i just realised that Mr Ajak with the SBS Dinka Radio has became the topic of the day from very specific audiences. Guys i am off work but i just wanted to let you know that you have legitimate points but the problem with you is that you fail to see the limit of our work or able to understand our role as media organisation but not community forum
Since some of you became aware of the existence of the program recently; i think you still need enough time to understand our role and how we do our program segementation and from there you will see SBS Dinka like any other media agencies outside there. We are not a channel for 10 critics but only competent media organisation able to bring impartial coverage of news like no any other. I have children in Australia and i personally face challenges that i can reflect to our audiences leave alone being reminded of what i know best but i will have to approach them as journalist not as an advocate.
I need to let people know that i came from the background where i understand every problem that is affecting our communities across Australia. We will not shift our role as a media organisation to a community education centre or interpreting organisation but we will stick with the provision of information which is appreciated by thousands already here at home(Australia) and overseas in Canada, UK, Denmark, United States, South Sudan and even Indonesia where we have Dinka speakers listening.
We do have an absolute independence to gather information wherever across Australia or around the globe without forgetting our codes and guidlines. We do that in order to give our audiences a space to understand the context of the story that we are covering or the background of that particular story.
Our coverage on South Sudan; came as a wake up call because we could see our program as the only available symbol of hope to provide very balanced information without alteration and we managed that since December of 2013. In this case; many of the South Sudanese-Australian have been affected by the current crisis and SBS took a lead in providing information from the stakeholders in that particular crisis. These includes forums, interviews that were done here at home in various states, territories and even in western countries like United States and Canada were the huge number of our overseas audiences are listening.
Since South Sudanese crisis or the level of debate was so sensitive; SBS Dinka Radio avoided referencing unrealisable sources but opted for the interviews with the right people at the right time in order to give our audiences an realistic information. it will be ridicules for any person to think that we will have the solution for everything happening outside there. But our team is aware of the level of criticism that each of us will face since impartial coverage or balancing different views is alone an invitation of the problems but we chose to face the devil from the front.
According to the feedback that we have received and still receiving from our audiences; it indicate that we are doing alright and progressing well from the points of their concerns. We acknowledged their recommendations and we have promised to climb the ladder of improvement in areas that fall under our role especially on topics. In other hands; we are aware that the level of expectations are too high to be handle by one Radio.
My advice to you is that you need understand that I am also a member of the community and you shouldn’t expect me to be intimidated by the information fabricated by those seeking fame on social media. I have the responsibility to follow my job descriptions as well as maintaining the organisational integrity and codes of conducts but not as presented by the crictics.
Just in less than a year on air; SBS Dinka Radio managed to reach the right number of audiences across the States and territories of Australia because we have been able to cover issues from education, healthy, budget, traffic, domestic violence, loans, children on street, settlement, alcoholism, police and event dowries and these topics are the most daring for our community. Our coverage of news or current affairs is alway impartial to reflect the values of the SBS as the world largest multicultural media organisation with a great reputation in media community. The culture of impartial coverage have been practiced for over 30 years and we are not going to be the first program to abandon it.
We cover stories on both sides be it pro or against because both have their own story about the particular incident. I know many have asked me to blame Australia Government or be rival of other media agencies but that is not what we stand for. Others have asked me if i can add them to the telephone line to ask questions at the time i am doing interviews with my guest but i wonder where is that done?
Meanwhile; South Sudanese community across Australia do have over 100 registered not for profit organisations whose roles will be defined by the owners but their work shouldn’t be confused with what we do. some of the young men whose their voices are very loud here now, should also take into their account the feedback coming from the majority of our listeners across the country but their own self interest may be playing a big role in their loud voices.
I am aware of two of them who requested to be interviewed but after realising their request was not going to succeed; they took up the best weapon to write notes on Facebook and refused to email in their concerns despite our email being available publicly or our telephone number.
I know our community very well to the core and i can see our coverage is going to the right direction. We are not broadcasting to 10 unsatisfied Dinka speakers but thousands of Dinka speakers across Australia but we wouldn’t please everyone. Our audiences are happy with us and we will continue to provide them with the right information and topics here at home(Australia) and internationally. It is a practice vested in our codes of conducts and we will not abandon it because of what few individuals want but of course we are still open to their clear understanding of our roles.
Furthermore; I’m well aware that many South Sudanese organisations have collapsed because of the confusion of who is doing what and what is needed to be done. This culture of mixing organisational responsibilities created a deadlock within the community because roles are confused and people fail to realise the independence of media organisations. This program is different from these organisations; because we are not a Dinka tribe owned Radio but a language program provided by the Special Broadcasting Services(SBS) and broadcasting in Dinka language to Dinka speakers and i need to be very clear about that.
Note to our young audiences: I have a clear guidelines to follow and such guidelines are monitored and managed by our great team for the last over 30 years before Dinka program was on air. But many of you choose to make up information because of the reasons that they can best tell; I will not allow you to tarnish the reputation as you choose to but to correct you there. This program is not about Ajak Deng Chiengkou.
SBS as an organisation respected for its coverage and valuing parties views. We uphold that and we will protect without the fear or whatsoever. As long as i am here; i will continue to play my role with my colleague without fear of challenge but we will get there. I am aware that SBS Dinka Radio is the only source of the authentic news during South Sudanese crisis and i wouldn’t take that as a vice but a great credit for the organisation and those behind it. Ajak will one day go but SBS Dinka Radio or the whole organisation will still operate but 2013-2014 will coverage of South Sudanese crisis will be reference in the history by the Dinka speakers across the globe.
Week cïï piɛ̈l ke yök wɛ̈tkɛ nëŋö; we cë randɛ̈ ye piɔu anuet yök.
David Ajak Deng Chiengkou
Executive Producer-SBS Dinka Radio Program
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