On World Radio Day, I had the opportunity to speak with Capricorn FM about the state of radio in South Africa — where we’ve come from, where we are now, and where we may be headed in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. What follows is a reflection on that conversation, expanded for deeper context and consideration.
The Radio Landscape: From Crisis to Question Marks
To understand the current state of radio, we have to rewind to 2020. When COVID-19 hit, the broadcast industry was forced into rapid transformation almost overnight. Remote broadcasting became the norm. Field work, live events, and in-studio collaboration were suddenly logistical puzzles. Presenters, producers, and managers alike became fluent in Zoom and Microsoft Teams — not by choice, but by necessity.
That speed came at a cost. A noticeable decline in quality across the medium was inevitable. Mediocrity became tolerated by audiences who were simply hungry for information and connection. Misinformation flourished, fear-driven communication dominated social media, and podcasts exploded as an accessible alternative to traditional broadcasting.
All of this had time to simmer. Dependable media found itself in a fog, and as professionals, we sometimes incorporated questionable information into our on-air products simply to keep up with demand and relevance. Today, this leaves us with an uncomfortable question: how do we measure quality in radio anymore?
We often hear that a show or presenter is “the best,” but compared to what? And measured by whom? These questions set the stage for deeper debates about whether tools like AI represent innovation — or an unethical shortcut — in conventional media.
AI and Radio: The Tool Is Not the Enemy
AI is no longer approaching the media industry — it’s already here. Globally, radio has surpassed the initial fear phase. Intellectuals and radio futurists have been hosting conversations about responsible AI integration in newsrooms and content creation for years.
The real issue is not AI itself, but our approach to it. A tool should be used for what it was designed to do — nothing more, nothing less.
In today’s world, if you want to find a specific answer that suits your bias, you’ll find it. Whether through ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or any other AI platform, one processed result often feels sufficient because it comes packaged as “intelligent.” But intelligence does not equal accuracy.
I tested this myself. Searching my own name through AI tools yielded impressive results — until I repeated the same search multiple times. Each response was different. By the third attempt, some details were simply false. This is what we call a false positive: an answer that looks credible, but isn’t correct.
This is why radio — and media as a whole — must provide audiences with multiple angles. There is always more than one side to a story, and no tool can replace the responsibility of human editorial judgment.
Is AI a Threat to South African Media?
From a South African media perspective, AI is both a tool and a threat. What it becomes depends entirely on how we use it.
A spade can be used to plant a garden, or it can be used as a weapon. The same applies to AI.
Media needs ideological diversity — left, right, and centre — so that consumers have real choice and access to comprehensive information. Interestingly, we’ve stopped using the phrase “fake news” and replaced it with “opinion.” That shift says far more about content creators than the tools they use.
Even before AI-generated articles and multimedia, we’ve seen misleading practices thrive: outdated images used to exaggerate stories, sensationalist headlines designed for clicks, and monetisation driving narrative over truth. AI didn’t create these problems — it simply exposed them.
Creativity in the Age of Automation
Creativity is where the real battle lies.
If you plan to make a career in media and call yourself a professional, there is one statement you must be able to make with confidence: I will never run out of ideas.
If you can’t say that, the battle is already lost — whether to AI, image enhancers, video tools, or whatever comes next.
An idea can only grow into something meaningful if it originates from your own creative ability. The less you strengthen that creative muscle, the less likely you are to pick up the proverbial pen and write something anyone wants to read — or produce something anyone wants to listen to.
AI can assist execution, but it cannot replace originality.
The Future of Radio: Campus and Community at the Crossroads
Looking ahead, the future of radio — especially at campus and community level — depends on intentional action.
We must teach, train, mentor, and monitor the next generation of broadcasters. Innovation should be embraced in all its forms, but it must be matched with accountability and ethical grounding.
Today’s youth are digitally native. They were raised in a connected world. But the critical question remains: are they digitally responsible?
Radio’s future will not be determined by technology alone, but by the values, discipline, and creativity of the people who choose to use it.
On World Radio Day, that is both our challenge and our opportunity.
