The vacuum can still be experienced and not many radio stations are taking the initiative to strive for better shows or better Radio Jockeys (RJs).[break]
Being an RJ has become a common thing in the rush of many stations in the capital city. However, one of the oldest radio stations in town strives to maintain the quality and has successfully done so. Hits FM 91.2, started its operation back in 1996 and has the reputations of best ads on air and in-house trained RJs. On gennext chitchat we catch three RJs who had their ups and downs but have bounced back to radio jockeying.
"I started working with the radio after I completed plus two and then quit for some time because I had joined Qatar Airways. But when I quit the job later, I rejoined the radio because I enjoy music and it´s a part time job, and so it´s not really difficult," says Nigam Khanal, an RJ at Hits.
It´s a similar case for Biraj Khadka too. He enjoys music "and not to mention you get paid" he says. "I stopped asking for pocket money from my parents once I joined the radio," says Biraj.
For Alok Thapa, radio jockeying has always been fun for him because he loves music. "Radio jockeying is like a passion to me and I can´t see myself doing anything else besides this," he says. Alok left his computer engineering field and pursued radio jockeying instead. "My interest lies in media and I can´t see myself behind the computer," he adds.
A lot of young people are drawn toward radio jockeying because it sounds fun and it pays too. This has led to a lot of training institutes to offer radio jockeying in their course and mint money.
However, over the years, we have seen a change in the pattern of hiring RJs in the radio stations around Kathmandu and they lack good RJs. The pattern has, sort of, hit Hits FM too. Many of the voices heard on Hits FM are of young people and it´s a good start that people are hiring young people as work force. The trend to work young and gain more experience seems to be catching up.
"I joined because I wanted to be different in my friends circle and of course you earn and I am wanted to be independent," says 17-year-old Biraj. Nigam joined the radio because she always wanted to be a part of Hits FM and for Alok, it was music and nothing else.
The three youngsters who are heard on the radio but never seen are not complaining that they are not gaining the "celebrity status". "It´s about experience and that´s what counts for all us and of course, we all love doing our shows," says Alok.
Earning independence at an early age while studying is appreciable but the yearning for more money as you start earning is definitely present. "The more you earn, the more spending you do," says Biraj and adding to that, Nigam says, "The more you work, the spending you do because you go out and spend more."
The radio field in Nepal has been paying insubstantial amount as salary and is one of the reason why we see RJs changing over time. "It´s more like a stepping stone for youths nowadays," says Alok adding, "They come, do shows, gather some experience and either go abroad for studies or join something else. We rarely see dedicated candidates in this field."
The lack of dedication from RJs and money has left the radio industry crippled at the moment. But the number of youths wanting to join the radio is increasing by day as they see it as a way of liberating themselves and something they enjoy at the same time.
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