Radio has been around for more than 110 years. In that time, radio has reached billions of people to share good information, entertain, serve communities during times of crisis, and to connect people to each other via stories, news, and shared experiences. In this digital age, it’s easy to see radio as an old technology. But it is evolving, innovating, and continuing to connect people.
Feb. 13, 2021 is World Radio Day and the theme is “New World, New Radio.” UNESCO is celebrating three amazing trends in radio: evolution, innovation, and connection.
Evolution: The world changes, radio evolves.
This refers to the resilience of radio and its sustainability. Today, radio can be listened to on a radio set, in the car, on a mobile phone, or from a podcast app.
Innovation: The world changes, radio adapts and innovates.
Radio has had to adapt to new technologies to remain the go-to medium of mobility, accessible everywhere and to everyone. Read about how Farm Radio has been using digital technologies to make radio programs more interactive – it’s radio 2.0.
Connection: The world changes, radio connects.
Radio serves society – particularly during natural disasters, socio-economic crises, epidemics, and more. Read about how Radio Codel Kayna in DRC served its community through the Ebola and coronavirus outbreak. And read about how Biftu Radio in Kenya served listeners with good information during the locust outbreak.
Are you celebrating World Radio Day? Find out how to celebrate or join a local celebration: https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/worldradioday