Today is World Radio Day: Celebrating Global Unity and Communication

Kathmandu. Today is World Radio Day. This day is being celebrated with various programs in different countries across the world with the participation of radio, communication experts, and broadcasters.

The celebration of this day began in 2012 under the leadership of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It is celebrated in memory of the day the United Nations Radio service was established in 1946. UNESCO has stated that it will present educational materials to listeners through digital broadcasting across all five continents.

According to UNESCO, the objective of this day is to raise public awareness about the importance of radio as a communication medium, to ensure access to information for decision-makers, to encourage the use of radio, and to strengthen international cooperation among broadcasters worldwide.

Radio is considered a powerful medium to celebrate the diversity of human society. It is established as an important platform for democratic dialogue. Globally, radio remains the most widely consumed communication medium.

Because of its unique ability to reach a broad audience, radio serves as a public forum that creates a sense of diversity in society and provides an opportunity for all voices to speak, be represented, and be heard.

UNESCO has emphasized that radio stations should serve diverse communities by presenting various programs, perspectives, and content, and should reflect the diversity of listeners in their structure and operations.

Since it is a medium that can be operated at a low cost, radio is considered particularly suitable for reaching remote areas and vulnerable communities. it provides equal opportunities to participate in public debate regardless of educational level. The role of radio is also significant in the context of emergency information flow and disaster rescue.

Shriram Paudel, Assistant Professor at the Central Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Tribhuvan University, says that radio is uniquely capable of promoting dialogue for positive change by uniting the community. He states that by listening to the needs of the listeners and presenting content accordingly, radio services help ensure the diverse perspectives and voices necessary for solving common challenges.

In a message issued on this occasion, UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany emphasized that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) should be beneficial for the public interest and stated that radio should work to its maximum potential to provide information with honesty and connect communities with empathy.

On the occasion of World Radio Day, UNESCO has stated that various radio stations and broadcasters will conduct special programs, forums, competitions, story collections, and awareness-raising activities.

Similarly, cultural programs, interactions, and film screenings will be held in some African nations, and discussions will also be held regarding the future of radio and the impact of AI.