Listener’s Corner on World Radio Day

On February 13 we celebrate World Radio Day

Mihaela Ignătescu, 13.02.2024, 12:34

On February 13, we celebrate World Radio Day, proclaimed in 2011 by the Member States of UNESCO, and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as a UN International Day.

In 2024, UNESCO invited the radio industry to join in this celebration and focus on the theme Radio – A century informing, entertaining and educating, the highlights being the indelible history of Radio, its ongoing utilitarian value its continuing democratic value. As always, we were very much interested in your insights and opinions on this topic and we have indeed received many interesting contributions. Here are some of them:

Radio is a grand lady, a hundred years old, still young at heart and full of projects! Its birth and history have given rise to numerous publications and captivating accounts, because for over a century, radio has been the world’s sound memory. Since the 1920s, radio has demonstrated its usefulness in explaining how the world works, educating listeners and providing entertainment. In recent years, with the increasing number of conflicts and natural disasters resulting from climate change, radio has taken on a new and extremely important role, that of providing a public safety network for both emergency resources and victims.

Since the start of the third millennium, or even before, several countries have abandoned international broadcasting for a variety of reasons: financial, but also linked to the declining audience, preferring to use the Internet, at least in the best-equipped countries. There are still countries where freedom of information is severely controlled. Through regular listening and exchanges, I fully support international radio stations for the indispensable role they play in providing a plurality of information, but also in providing entertainment and education, enabling the discovery of other countries and, above all, a better understanding of other cultures. In conclusion, international shortwave broadcasting not only makes sense, but is still very useful for a large number of listeners or in certain situations. Nevertheless, it must adapt to the new realities of modern communication if it is to remain relevant and viable. (Paul Jamet, member of the Radio Club du Perche)

First of all, I find great resonance in the acknowledgement of Radio’s unforgettable heritage. Radio has had a significant influence on news, drama, music, sports, and other aspects of our culture, hence it is true that radio has shaped our cultural environment. It is a timeless media that has fostered a feeling of shared experience by bringing people together across national boundaries. It is important to consider the lasting impact radio has had on our collective psyche as we commemorate this event. Secondly, it is especially poignant that UNESCO emphasizes the continued utilitarian usefulness of radio in emergency situations. Radio is an essential public safety net in unanticipated situations like natural disasters, power outages, and other emergencies because of its portability and accessibility. Its function as a dependable information source during these trying times highlights how vital it is as a lifeline that can reach a variety of communities and offer vital updates and support.

Finally, it is admirable that radio is now acknowledged as a democratic tool for fostering connections among marginalized populations. It demonstrates the democratic ideas it supports by acting as a unifying force among immigrant, religious, minority, and impoverished groups. Its function as a real-time public opinion gauge via free speech is thus essential to preserving an informed and transparent society.

Finally, I would like to commend Radio Romania International for their dedication to commemorating World Radio Day and adding to the global dialogue about the medium’s ongoing importance. As we appreciate the topics that have been emphasized, let’s not stop recognizing and elevating the many voices that radio has given voice to over its long history. (Aqueel Bashir, Pakistan)

Without a preamble, it can be firmly said that many people across the globe still listen to the century-old radio in this age of Internet advancement. It’s really encouraging to see that despite the onslaught of television, social media and digital media, still radio is the most resilient and far-reaching medium that has kept its prominence alive even in the age of newer discoveries. Truly speaking, radio as a wireless communication is still one of the most dominant media around the world despite the fierce competition between print and electronic media. It has the power to reach rural and remote areas of the world more than any other medium. It is a matter of pride that radio is still the primary source of information in parts of Asia or Africa, in a broader sense, it is the gateway to the wider world.

Undoubtedly, UNESCO World Radio Day is a golden moment for all broadcasters around the world, and also an opportunity for radio listeners of different countries to come closer to the broadcasters. It’s really encouraging that in the face of ongoing media’s propaganda programmes around the world, more and more global listeners are turning to trusted news sources such as RRI for accurate and objective news.’ (Rabi Sankar Bosu, Kolkata, India)

Trend shifts, including architecture, clothing, music, and almost everything around us, are always happening. How we collect information is not an exception. We should be flexible and capable of embracing changes. With the internet connection around you, you may not understand why it has to be on the radio. In fact, most radio programs are available simultaneously on the internet. You can enjoy the programs without the radio equipment. We tend to modify everything to better-fit our usual life. It works perfectly when things are in order. However, life dependent on the internet is secured only when electricity is fully provided. When the power is down, obtaining any necessary information is almost impossible. That may happen in any place in the world. Unfortunately, it is happening. Fewer and fewer people have radios at home, which is very risky. With a long, medium, or short-wave broadcast, one radio station may be able to cover the whole population in a country. For the security of the world, radio broadcasting is indispensable. (Hiroki Uchida, Japan)

Thank you all and Happy World Radio Day!