World Radio Day 2013

13 February is World Radio Day — a day to celebrate radio as a medium; to improve international cooperation between broadcasters; and to encourage major networks and community radio alike to promote access to information and freedom of expression over the airwaves.

As radio continues to evolve in the digital age, it remains the medium that reaches the widest audience worldwide. This multi-purpose medium can help people, including youth, to engage in discussions on topics that affect them. It can save lives during natural or human-made disasters; and it provides journalists with a platform to report facts and tell their stories.

In his message for the day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praises radio as 'valuable and cost-effective', reminding the public that "from day one, the United Nations has been using radio to reach the peoples of the world.

UN Radio sheds light on all issues on the United Nations agenda – from sustainable development … to the protection of children … to peacekeeping and conflict prevention."

UNESCO encourages everyone to celebrate World Radio Day by planning activities in partnership with regional, national and international broadcasters, non-governmental organizations, the media and the public.

You'll find a wealth of resources on UNESCO's website which can be used free of charge and without copyright restriction to help promote World Radio Day. They include ideas for youth projects - Radio reaches over 95% of the population worldwide. The global population has surpassed 7 billion with people under the age of 30 representing over half of this number. Given these statistics, it is worthwhile for broadcasters to do the math and start providing more broadcasting for youth and by youth.

Additional links:

• World Radio Day (UNESCO)
• UN Radio
• Youth Radio
• UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon - Message for World Radio Day
• Message by Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO