Radio Zip gives an “active voice” to young people from Marvila in Lisbon

Radio Zip, operating in the Marvila parish in Lisbon, guarantees young people an “active voice” that allows them to “communicate the way they want and what they feel,” emphasizes Bruno Batista, one of the founders.

Now 42, Bruno Batista says he “irresponsibly” created Zip, a community radio set up seven years ago by the NGO Eco-Estilistas and run by volunteers from the area formerly known as Chelas, then the area with the greatest socio-economic problems.

The exclusively online radio was founded by a group of women, including Bruno’s mother, and was born out of the realization that “communication is not the strong suit of young people” in the Loyos area of ​​Marvila.

The online option significantly reduced the cost of broadcasting via frequency, and the Lisbon City Council fund encouraged the launch and purchase of equipment.

Having sailed and grown up in Chelas, Bruno emphasizes that he has never been afraid of the area, which is “not the same as before” but where problems persist.

“The situation started to improve since people stopped thinking that this is a dangerous world, the third world,” he comments, recalling that there were times when people went for an interview and when they said that they lived in Chelas, it was “to the end of the line.”

“Living here makes us look at things differently,” he admits, emphasizing that radio wanted to show “the other side” that, unfortunately, does not appear in traditional media.

The radio, says the current occupational safety engineer, is “a very powerful tool” and a “good distraction” in an area where young people have little to do.

Visited by Lusa in conjunction with World Radio Day, which takes place on Tuesday, Zip, occupying the space of an old café, has a live broadcast every Sunday from 14:00 to 17:00, which replaces the rest of the week. , as well as a list of youth music.

Thematic original programs (interviews, cultural programs, games, jokes, gossip) are provided by a dozen volunteers, in 90% of cases living in the neighborhood.

“We are not professionals and we don’t want to be,” Bruno emphasizes, explaining that introductions and first jobs require a rotation of volunteers.

It is important, he emphasizes, to ensure continuity – and for this there is a “hard core”, not prone to hierarchy, which deals with the “boring part”.

The founders include 25-year-old Belmira, better known as Beu.

“At first we didn’t take radio seriously because it wasn’t [essa] Our idea was just for us, for the area,” he recalls.

But the project “took on a dimension” that they did not expect.

Currently broadcast by two thousand people, Zip maintains regular contact with Marwila schools and provides coverage of several official events in the parish.

In addition, she is invited abroad to explain how to create a youth community radio station in the area.

This week they will travel to Marbella in Spain to provide training to three schools on school radios.

João, another of the founders, recalls his seven years in local radio with “many memories, many moments,” emphasizing that Zip “is also a place of commitment.”

With rules but “no limits,” Zip is “more than a radio, it’s a place of learning,” Bruno emphasizes, citing the example of Vitoria, who at age 9 talks to children on the program “Oh, Children’s Games.” world”.

Two weeks ago, Yara, 20 years old, landed on the radio “a little bit by parachute” and stayed for the people. “Little by little I’m freeing myself,” she says, portraying herself as “shy.”

Bia was “in complete panic” and is currently hosting “galas for over 300 people” and performing “to groups of over 60 young people from all over the world.”

For the 21-year-old, radio is a hobby as she has other professional goals, but she admits that “she would like to continue doing it for a long time and pass on the legacy to other people.”

Radio Zip, which is currently supported by Marvila Parish Council, broadcasts news that “effectively reports on what is happening in the area, good and bad”, emphasizes Bruno, who has no doubt that the vision of young people “completely changes” the picture of reality. .