Eye Media decries soaring fuel prices, cuts on-air hours

2026-03-10 - 09:08

Eye Media, the parent organization of Eye Radio, has reduced its daily broadcast hours from 24 to 14, citing skyrocketing fuel prices as the reason. The change takes effect immediately. Stephen Omiri, Executive of Eye Media, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but said it was essential to keep the station on air. “We are the most trusted radio station in the country, and many people rely on us after their workday ends at 7 or 8 PM,” Omiri said. “Unfortunately, Arabic news will no longer be available during those hours. Most of our listeners will now miss important updates because many are still commuting. This is a major challenge, and as a manager, it truly pains me.” Under the new schedule, broadcasts will run from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, with weekday programs largely unchanged except for the “Ruhmba” segment, which will now air from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Omiri emphasized the critical role of media in keeping communities informed. “Take, for example, the ongoing conflict in Jonglei State; it must be reported. If there is a disease outbreak, it needs to be communicated. With heavy rains approaching, cholera could become a serious threat. Without media to educate the public, survival becomes difficult,” he said. He concluded: “Media is a fundamental part of governance; it ensures checks and balances and holds the system accountable.”