The United Nations World Radio Day(WRD) is annually observed across the globe on 13th February to celebrate radio as a part of the history of humanity.
2021 marks the 10th edition of World Radio Day(WRD) and more than 110 year of radio.
The theme of the world radio day 2021 is “New World, New Radio.”
The UNESCO marks World Radio Day 2021 with 3 sub themes
- Evolution: The world changes, radio evolves – radio is resilient and sustainable.
- Innovation: The world changes, radio adapts and innovates- radio adapts to new technologies and remains the go-to medium of mobility, accessible everywhere and to everyone.
- Connection: The world changes, radio connects – radio services our society during natural disasters, socio-economic crises, epidemics, etc.
Objective of WRD:
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.
Background:
i.At the 36th session of the UNESCO’s General assembly in 2011, the member states of UNESCO adopted a resolution and proclaimed the 13th February as the World Radio day, which was proposed by Spain.
ii.The United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution A/RES/67/124 on 18th December 2012 and endorsed the resolution adopted by the General Assembly of UNESCO regarding the World Radio Day.
iii.13th February marks the establishment of The United Nations Radio in 1946.
Events 2021:
As a part of the 10th edition of World Radio Day, Chapelier Fou(real name – , Louis Warynsk), a French multi-instrumentalist and experimental artist, a violin and sequencer enthusiast has created a song on the theme of 2021 World Radio Day “New World, New Radio”. The piece was composed of radio contributions across the globe.
Highlights of Radio:
i.Radio is a low-cost and popular medium which can reach remote areas and marginalized people.
ii.Radio can be used for emergency communications and during natural disasters when forms of media are out of action.
iii.Radio is one of the mediums which was able to completely adapt the technical developments like broadband and Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), and to adapt to mobile devices.
Radio during the COVID-19 pandemic:
i.During the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe radio supported in ensuring the continuity of learning, to combat against misinformation and to promote the barrier gestures.
ii.To counter the misinformation about the COVID-19, UNESCO released royalty free audio messages (in English, French, Spanish and Arabic) which can be used by radio stations around the world.
