PNGFM Limited recently celebrated one of its radio stations; YUMI FM’s 29th birthday as staff gathered to mark this milestone.
Speaking to one of YUMI FM’s most famous voices and recent recipient of the King’s Medal Award, Turner ‘Kasty’ Arifeae, recalled the first time working for 93 YUMI FM around the year 1999 as a part-timer while he was in his mid-thirties.
“It has been a long journey to becoming a radio personality- a voice that Papua New Guinea recognizes.”
He stated that initially he never considered his voice as one suited for radio.
“One thing that kept me coming back was the listeners.”
He referred to radio as a medium that is meant to be shared with a friend and also spoke on the evolution of technology that has changed the world of broadcasting.
“Radio used to be a lot more complicated with archaic technology such as cassettes and tapes needed to keep the show running, eventually we switched to CDs and flash drives.”
“We then started using a software called Wizard and now it’s Zetta.”
Meanwhile, Freddy ‘Black’ Bevan, 93 YUMI FM’s Content Director and a regular host on the station’s Kapmaus Show, also spoke the advancement of technology.
“Presently, there has been a huge challenge with social media, but I don’t encourage people in radio to neglect social media, instead we must partner with it and use it to advance radio.”
Going forward he stated that he would like to see 93 YUMI FM maintain its spot as the number one most listened to radio station in the country.
“Let us take it to the next level.”
“Currently 38% of the population listen to YUMI FM and I would like to see it reach 40%.”
“Many people may choose English as their business language but the influence of Tok Pisin is still widespread in everyday conversation especially in the Momase and Highlands Region.”
He also gave a strong encouragement to individuals thinking of joining the YUMI FM crew to be authentic.
“Radio is one of those professions that require you to be yourself – you have to find your own voice and your own personality.”
