Border News Agency
Kyauktaw, September 1

In the Arakan region, the price of a radio has dropped to just over seventy thousand kyats, but shop owners say that there are few users, as people rarely buy them just to access information.

Before the decisive war in Arakan began, the price of a radio was said to be around just over ten thousand kyats at most.

After the war broke out, due to road blockades, shortages of goods, phone and internet shutdowns, and electricity blackouts, more people began relying on radios for information, causing prices to surge to around one hundred thousand kyats, locals said.

“Radio users have declined. When the clashes first began, there were buyers and prices went up. Now, there are no buyers. Even though prices have dropped, sales remain low. I think it’s because of financial hardships that people can’t afford them. You could even say the radio era is over,” an electronics shop owner in Kyauktaw told Border News Agency.

“Because of the war, Arakan people face severe job scarcity and have no daily income. Families struggle just to get by each day, and due to these financial hardships, many cannot afford to use radios for accessing information,” locals said.

They added that while some still buy radios to seek news, the available broadcasts are limited, with only channels like Myanmar Radio and BBC accessible, leaving them without full access to diverse information.

“The radio programs no longer provide multiple channels. Only Myanmar Radio and BBC are available now. My current radio is breaking down, and I’ve been considering buying a new one, but since it won’t receive many stations, I don’t think it’s worth it. We mainly use radios to get news, and if we can’t access a variety of news, then people will stop using them,” a male radio user from Kyauktaw Township told Border News Agency.

“In Arakan, with electricity blackouts continuing, those who can afford it rely on solar power to watch TV and keep themselves informed,” locals said.

“Those who cannot afford it or do not have a TV at home go to the houses of neighbors with TVs and watch together to stay informed,” locals said.

“In Arakan, more than a decade ago, before TVs and mobile phones became widespread, locals relied solely on radios to access news and information,” residents said.