Global Community Celebrates World Radio Day Today

World Radio Day is an observance day held on February 13 annually. This year's theme is: "Radio is You".


The term "radio" is derived from the Latin word "radius", meaning "spoke of a wheel, beam of light, ray". 

It was first applied to communications in 1881 when, at the suggestion of French scientist  Ernest Mercadier, Alexander Graham Bell adopted "radiophone" (meaning "radiated sound") as an alternate name for his photophone optical transmission system. 

However, this invention would not be widely adopted.

World Radio Day is about celebrating radio, why the love for it and why the need today more than ever. 

A day to remember the unique power of radio to touch lives and bring people together across every corner of the globe. 

World Radio Day was proclaimed on November 3, 2011 by UNESCO's 36th General Conference after originally proposed by the Kingdom of Spain.

World Radio Day is now in its 6th year and is still the most dynamic, reactive and engaging medium there is, adapting to 21st century changes and offering new ways to interact and participate. 

In Ghana, NCA statistics for 3rd quarter of 2016 shows 452 authorised FM stations with Western region leading with 75.

Today, Radio is an important part of everyday life. With the emergence of smartphones, Radio has become even more intimate because it is a personal medium.

Where social media and audience fragmentation can put us in media bubbles of like-minded people, 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 provides the diversity of views and voices needed to address the challenges we all face.

Radio informs and transforms, through entertainment, information and audience participation. 

UNESCO invites all radio stations and supporting organisations to join in celebrating the World Radio Day 2017, a chance to celebrate radio and how it helps shape lives!

Kudos to all colleagues working in the radio industry in Ghana and West Africa. 

Some portions of this article were culled from Wikipedia.


GBC