February 13 is celebrated as World Radio Day and if you are one of those people who still like to tune into your favourite radio shows in this world dominated by the internet, this occasion is for you. Listening to a chat show while stuck in the traffic on your way to work or jamming to random hits when you need a change from your playlist, radios can still come in handy sometimes. 

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“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,” UNESCO said on its website.

History of World Radio Day

World Radio Day was first proclaimed in 2011 by the member states of UNESCO, and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an International Day.

February 13 was chosen as the day to mark this occasion because it was on this day in 1946 that the United Nations’ radio was established. 

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The proposal was first made by Spain, following request from the Spanish Radio Academy on September 20, 2010, to the UNESCO’s Executive Board for an agenda item. 

In December 2012, the UN General Assembly endorsed the proclamation of World Radio Day. 

Theme in 2021

The year 2021 marks the 10th anniversary of World Radio Day and over 110 years of radio. The theme for this year has been divided into three sub-themes. 

“Evolution: The world changes, radio evolves. This sub-theme refers to the resilience of the radio, to its sustainability.”

“Innovation: The world changes, radio adapts and innovate. Radio has had to adapt to new technologies to remain the go-to medium of mobility, accessible.”

“Connection: The world changes, radio connects. This sub-theme highlights radio’s services to our society—natural disasters, socio-economic crises, epidemics, etc.”