PURPOSE: On 13 February, the UNESCO and thousands of stations to celebrate World Radio Day. The objective of the Day is to raise public awareness of the importance of radio and to encourage decision makers to use it to provide access to information, and to improve international co-operation among broadcasters. In reporting and informing the general public, radio stations shape public opinion and frame a narrative that can influence domestic and international situations and decision-making processes. Increasing radio's journalistic standards and capacity should be considered as an investment in peace. UNESCO recognizes and understands the tremendous variety of business models and technological architecture in Radio around the world as well as the independent nature of its companies and organizations, large and small, plus the idiosyncrasies of its on-air personalities. Thus, broadcasters are encouraged to bring their own culture, style and sensibilities to their individual celebrations leading up to and during the February 13 event. World Radio Day is also an opportunity for radio stations to connect on-air with fellow broadcasters around the world. UNESCO invites radio stations to take the initiative for such broadcasts.

FORUM: “Radio: A century informing, entertaining and educating.” World Radio Day 2024. The theme shines a broad floodlight on Radio’s remarkable past, relevant present and promise of a dynamic future. Looking Forward to Radio’s Next Century. The opportunity provided by the 100-year-plus milestone of Radio begs to be trumpeted at full volume. The century is an occasion to proudly celebrate the medium’s extensive virtues and ongoing potency. It comes at an opportune time, as Radio – though statistically popular and enormously trusted by the public – faces increased challenges to audience and revenue numbers from digital platforms, pervasive social media, digital and generational divides, the headwinds of censorship and, for some media, stifling consolidation-induced debt as well as economic hardships exacerbated by a soft advertising market. It is a remarkable achievement for a major mass communications medium to continue its relevancy past 100 years and still be a force for freedom of expression, joy and knowledge. As we proudly tell its story, let’s welcome Radio’s future in the next century. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #13February, #WorldRadioDay.

EVENTS: Together, let's celebrate the 13th edition of World Radio Day. The UNESCO invites the worldwide Radio industry in all its many forms - commercial, public, non-profit – to join in this global celebration of the medium at this special and pivotal juncture in its century-spanning journey. The World Radio Day 2024 observance highlights:

• The indelible history of Radio and its powerful impact upon news, drama, music, sports … 

• The ongoing utilitarian value of Radio as a relatively free and portable public safety net during emergencies and power outages brought on by natural and human-made disasters such as storms, earthquakes, floods, heat, wildfires, accidents and warfare. 

• The continuing democratic value of Radio to serve as a grassroots catalyst for connectedness within underserved groups including immigrant, religious, minority and poverty-stricken populations; and as an instantaneous bellwether of public opinion expressed through the auspices of free speech in the public space. 

STATEMENTS: Read the statement of Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Radio Day 2024; February 13th.

UNITED NATIONS RADIO

To mark World Radio Day, celebrated on 13 February, UN News has reached back into our audio archives to a classic collaboration between UN Radio and the UN Audio Library. The United Nations Radio was created on 13 February 1946. In 2017, United Nations Radio and the UN News Centre merged to form UN News, producing daily news and multimedia content in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Swahili, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Hindi. We want you to help us improve and tailor our products to your needs. Complete the 2021 UN News User survey

INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION ORGANIZATION

“Technology for Good”- is an ITU series that focuses on how technology is helping to shape the world around us. Listen now...and don't forget to subscribe to hear the next episode in our brand new series!