Speaking at the official launch at Keetmanshoop on Saturday, Tiboth said the accessibility of the new radio station to the grassroots people would play a pivotal role in changing the lives of people for the better and building solidarity with people from other parts of the country.

He encouraged the radio station to strive towards supplementing the socio-economic development agenda of local and regional governments.

Tiboth appealed to the station's management to be discreet, factual, impartial, educational and informative in reporting.

"Constructive reporting must be the motto," he urged.

Tiboth thanked the Government for creating a conducive environment for media freedom in the country.

"Undoubtedly, there are countries where media freedom is just a pipe dream, and access to information is yet to see the light," he remarked.

In his keynote address, the Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Raphael Dinyando, implored the community to take ownership of the radio station.

"The community as owners of this radio station must jealousy guard against vandalism," he said.

Dinyando called on the local business fraternity to support the station with advertising to make it financially sustainable.

Also speaking at the event, Misa member Sandra Williams, who heads Katutura Community Radio, said there was a need for more community radio stations to become the real voice of the grassroots people.

She urged the radio station volunteers to perform their duties in a professional manner at all times.

Radio listeners in and around Keetmanshoop were able to tune into the latest news and views from local communities when Karas Community Radio hit the airwaves on Saturday morning.

KCR broadcasts in Afrikaans, English, Nama and Oshiwambo on 102.3 FM.

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