Onda Cero Ciudad Real has celebrated a milestone that highlights its long-standing career in the world of communications, its 90th anniversary. Nine decades of stories in which it has been a witness and protagonist of a changing technological landscape, to which it has been able to adapt, grow, and continue to accompany its listeners in their daily lives.
In a meeting that Europa Press held with the director of Onda Cero Ciudad Real, Javier Ruiz; the chief editor of News, José Luis Juárez; the journalist Consoli Romero; the radio broadcaster Lola Bravo; and the former director of Onda Cero Ciudad Real, Carmen Suárez, they have shared from different perspectives how the station has evolved.
Radio is also a space where emotions run free and stories that touch the hearts of listeners are told. «Radio is not just information, it is the medium of the communicator. The important thing is not only what you say, but how you say it,» said the director of Onda Cero Ciudad Real.
In this sense, the station stands out for the emotional interviews that take place under the glow of the red light. Examples of this are those related to gender violence where the victims sit down, open their hearts, tell their story, and are able to move even the interviewer herself, as recognized by Consoli Romero.
Fortunately, there is also time for anecdotes that can bring a smile to its listeners. Radio broadcaster Lola Bravo recalled how she had to rush to cover a breaking news story, dressed in a sarong and bikini as she was enjoying a sunny day at home when the information came in.
TECHNOLOGICAL CHALLENGES
On the other hand, José Luis Juárez explained how the technological revolution has marked a before and after in their way of doing radio, ensuring that switching overnight from using reel-to-reel and cassette tapes to minidiscs, and then to the technologies currently used, has been «tremendous».
Meanwhile, Carmen Suárez nostalgically recalled the days when the typewriter was the main tool in the newsroom, highlighting that in the past they had to wait for the ink to dry, whereas now with computers, everything is «much more convenient».
Onda Cero Ciudad Real is a station that does not forget about the younger generation. Therefore, it is present in the realm of social media, taking advantage of the immediacy it provides and creating content that connects with them, such as information about concerts or activities taking place in the city, as confirmed by Consoli Romero.
Meanwhile, the station’s director emphasized that with the integration of social media, they have once again shown that they are «there» and have been able to face the challenges of the future.
INFORMING SOURCES
Every day, when the communicators arrive at the station, they gather to decide which relevant topics will be included in their schedule. They draw information from the agencies, from the news that comes in through the program’s WhatsApp, or through the stories of their listeners.
However, access to informing sources has become more complicated over the years, especially in the political sphere, making the informative work more complex.
«Sometimes it’s a bit difficult to reach some mayors or politicians, they make it a little harder for us,» Romero said.
Figuratively speaking, Lola Bravo supported her colleague’s opinion, stating that now she has to go through «500 filters, 400 magic carpets, and 80,000 open doors» to contact them.
THE FUTURE OF RADIO
The professionals at Onda Cero Ciudad Real are convinced that the essence of radio remains alive as long as they can connect with the listeners. José Luis Juárez emphasized that «radio has a tremendous future,» revealing that the strength of the station lies in its ability to adapt to all times.
They are not afraid of Artificial Intelligence. Lola Bravo made it clear, stating that «not everything is valid in artificial intelligence, and by God, it has little intelligence if it is going to lead us to chaos.»
Finally, the director of Onda Cero Ciudad Real defined radio as «a sponge that absorbs you,» which is part of the listener’s life, able to get «into the kitchen» and made his position clear. «I believe that radio will not die in life because it is pure communication,» he concluded.