Addis Ababa — Fana 98.1 FM Radio, installed at a cost of nearly 4 million birr and is expected to have participatory and entertaining programmes on political, economical and social affairs, was inaugurated yesterday.

Inaugurating the broadcast, Information Minister Birhane Hailu said that electronics media are major tool in building democracy, strengthening the on-going development and enabling people to put their voice together.

At the ceremony, that took place at Repi Fana Radio Station, the Minister said Fana is a pioneer privately-owned media founded in line with the broadcast and Press Law. "As far as they satisfy the requirements of the law, other investors can have the opportunity to be engaged in this free market system which is new in the country", he added.

He further indicated that the government has begun giving media licence to the private sector since few years back as per the Broadcast and Press Law.

Fana Radio manager Woldu Yimesgen said on his part that the Radio was moved to establish the transmission following a study of other countries' experiences that urban dwellers require different ways and approaches of transmission.

He further said that Fana FM 98.1, which would be broadcast 18 hours a day, enables its listeners not only to listen but also to talk through the "Talk or Phoning to Phoning Touch", progaramme.

Ministers, senior government officials and other invited guests attended the inaugural ceremony.