Radio: A Century Informing, Entertaining and Educating

“On this World Radio Day, we celebrate not only the history of radio, but also its central role in our societies, now and in the years to come". - Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO. Radio has been the most transformative medium of communication since its invention. Without a doubt the radio has been a powerful medium of communication globally. Those of us old enough will recall the importance of the radio in our lives as well as the importance of this form of communication to the lives of folks in surrounding communities. Radio has the ability to connect to the listener in an intimate way that perhaps no other form of mass media can. Radio has proven to be both a durable and accessible form of mass communication. Radio has been responsible for shaping the ideas and discourse around many social issues, from politics to times of war, from religion to sporting activities. Unfortunately, radio can also be a form of propaganda to mislead or serve a particular agenda. This is especially the situation in countries that have an authoritarian form of government. For example, in North Korea the State controls all forms of media, as well as the content that is disseminated to the population. Radio is a low-cost medium specifically suited to reaching remote communities and vulnerable people, offering a platform to intervene in the public debate, irrespective of people’s educational level. Without a doubt radio can also play a crucial role in emergency communication, disaster relief and management. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) radio is uniquely positioned to bring communities together and foster positive dialogue for change. By listening to its audiences and responding to their needs, radio services provide the diversity of views and voices needed to address the challenges we all face. The pivotal role of radio was again showcased during the COVID-19 pandemic when global education systems had to seek alternative forms to continue the education of their students. In 2011, at the 36th session of UNESCO’s General Conference, February 13 was proclaimed as World Radio Day (WRD). This date was chosen by UNESCO’s director general as it was the anniversary date of the United Nations international broadcasting service, which was created on February 13, 1946. This year's theme, 'Radio: A century informing, entertaining and educating', underscores radio's ongoing evolution in a digital age. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), radio has crossed the 100-year milestone hence, it is a significant occasion to commemorate the medium's extensive virtues and continuing potency as it faces challenges to its audience and revenue numbers from digital platforms, social media, digital and generational divides, censorship, consolidations and economic hardships. History. Many people in history have contributed to perfecting radio waves and frequencies. However, it was Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi who proved the feasibility of communication over the radio. He sent and received a telegram over the first radio signal in history from Italy in 1895. The first radio station in America was established in Pittsburgh in 1919, and the FM radio debuted in 1939. Broadcasting over radio went digital in 1994, when radio streaming started via the internet. Interestingly, this was accompanied by the first internet-only 24-hour radio station. Radio has kept pace with emerging technologies. The medium is embracing new technologies like podcasts and online streaming, reaching audiences beyond traditional frequencies. Radio is a powerful medium for celebrating humanity in all its diversity and constitutes a platform for democratic discourse. At the global level, radio remains the most widely consumed medium. This unique ability to reach out the widest audience means radio can shape a society’s experience of diversity, stand as an arena for all voices to speak out, be represented and heard. Radio stations should serve diverse communities, offering a wide variety of programs, viewpoints and content, and reflect the diversity of audiences in their organizations and operations. On this World Radio Day let us embrace the educational power as well as the entertainment value that radio brings to our daily lives. Let us also acknowledge the versatility and relevance of radio in the 21st century; especially as it relates to Caribbean societies. Happy World Radio Day. In the words of Hallie Flanagan, the power of radio is not that it speaks to millions, but that it speaks intimately and privately to each one of those millions. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com © #WorldRadioDay