In the previous publication of SriLankaNZ, you may have read about the World Television Day that we celebrated on 21st November. That described the significance and purpose of declaring World Television Day. Similarly, this article will highlight briefly when, why and how we celebrate World Radio Day. Radio has been serving people all over the world for over a century. You may recall that an article published in SriLankaNZ sometime back celebrated the national radio of Sri Lanka, SLBC-Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. Radio continues to be the most easily and affordably accessible communication medium. Like Television, Radio educates, informs, and entertains all segments of society. It can reach the most remote areas or the most marginalised people assuring a high degree of inclusivity and the less digital divide.
World Radio Day is celebrated annually on February 13th to recognise the power of radio as a medium of communication. This event was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011 and has been celebrated globally ever since. The day is an opportunity to celebrate the impact that radio has had on societies worldwide and raise awareness about the importance of preserving and promoting radio as a means of communication. The theme of World Radio Day changes annually and focuses on highlighting the positive impact of radio on communities and individuals. The day is also an opportunity to encourage greater participation in the medium, whether as listeners, participants, or broadcasters, and to support its continued growth and development.
Radio also plays a fundamental role in counselling, mediation, and reconciliation for harmonious human relations, promoting peace to overcome civil, national, and international conflicts. The theme of World Radio Day changes annually, and the 12th World Radio Day is to be held on February 13, 2023, with the theme “Radio and Peace.”. Past themes have included “Radio and Sports,” “Radio and Emergencies,” “Radio in Times of Peace and Conflict,” and “Dialogue, Tolerance, and Peace.” The theme is chosen to highlight the positive impact of radio on communities and individuals, and to encourage greater participation in the medium.
The theme of this year’s World Radio Day “radio and peace” comes at a time when we face growing misinformation and disinformation, polarisation violence, extremism and increased national disasters due to climate change, among many other societal and natural challenges. Let us use radio to alleviate such situations by providing balanced, diverse, and inclusive programmes that promote peaceful and harmonious relationships. Lastly, we should recognise and appreciate all technological innovations that facilitate access to the radio and expand the dissemination of its programmes to spread messages of friendship, hope and peace.
Purpose, Significance and Celebration of World Radio Day
World Radio Day is significant because it recognises the power of radio as a medium of communication, especially as a source of reliable and trustworthy information, and its continued relevance in the 21st century or the digital era. It is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of preserving and promoting radio as a means of reliable and trustworthy communication, and to celebrate its impact on societies around the world. Radio can reach people across diverse communities, regardless of their education or socio-economic status, making it a powerful tool for promoting peace, democracy, and human rights. World Radio Day is also significant because it encourages greater participation in the medium, as previously mentioned.
World Radio Day is a celebration of the importance of radio as a means of communication and a reminder of its ongoing significance in our daily lives. World Radio Day is celebrated in a variety of ways, including events, broadcasts, and discussions. Broadcasting organisations can use the day to showcase their programmes and the work they do, and listeners can celebrate by tuning in to their favourite radio stations and programmes.
I conclude the article with a wish ‘Happy Radio Day 2023’ and dedicate this article to this year’s celebrations.
