World Radio Day is an observance day that will held annually on February 13. This day is approved by UNESCO, a day which we celebrate how radio positively impacts millions of lives in our daily life. As what it is named, this day is all about celebrating why we love radio and why we need it. Radio is worth for all of us to remember its power in bringing people together across the world.
Over 100 years, radio remains as one of the platforms to serve us with information, education and social change. Radio is accessible everywhere and it is now accessible through online platform. On this day, a variety of practitioners, academics and tools providers will come together all over the world to discuss the power of radio as an information source and platform for community engagement.
#1 History
It was first suggested by Spanish Radio Academy, on 20 September 2010. UNESCO’s Executive Board approved for the proclamation of a “World Radio Day” on 29 September 2011. The Board recommended to celebrate “World Radio Day” at its UNESCO 36th session on 13 February. It is the day when United Nations established United Nations Radio in 1946. So, on 13 February, it is the anniversary of United Nations Radio and World Radio Day.
#2 2018 Theme
The first World Radio Day started in year 2012. However, there was no specific theme in first two years. Till 2014, UNESCO proposed a theme: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Radio. Its sub-themes included developing gender-related policies and strategies for radio, eliminating stereotypes and promoting multidimensional portrayal, building radio skills for youth especially focus on girls as producers or hosts, and promoting safety of women radio journalists.
There is various theme for World Radio Day each year such as Youth and Radio 2015, Radio in Times of Emergency and Disaster 2016, Radio is You 2017, and this year will be Radio and Sports.
UNESCO invites all radio stations and supporting organizations to join them for World Radio Day 2018. Following the theme for this year, we’ll be getting a chance to strengthen diversity, peace and development through sports broadcasting. Radio stations around the world can showcase some information or stories about sports. The sub-themes for this year will be
- Radio and Sports build and unite communities
- Radio and Sports inspire participation and inclusion
- Radio fosters goodwill and inspires humanity
- how radio impacts on our lives
Now, do you have better understanding on World Radio Day? For detailed information on World Radio Day happenings, feel free to visit the official website www.worldradioday.org or their FB page https://www.facebook.com/WorldRadioDay/.
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