Ask the average person today “what is the most popular medium in the world” and you’ll get a variety of answers. Some people may believe it’s TV, while others confidently proclaim it’s social media.
The importance of radio
However, radio – on a global basis – remains the most widely consumed medium. Sure, it doesn’t have the addictive effects of TikTok or Instagram but radio has been a vital component of communication for a long time. Radio has been used to spread peace in some of the world’s darkest moments and give hope to attentive listeners. On the other hand, radio can be utilized in a harmful way by fueling hate, such as Idi Amin going on a broadcast to institage the Uganda-Tanzania conflict. The very essence of radio gives it such power that it has survived through the 21st century.
Outside of war, radio is also an extremely useful tool to spread information to communities that may not have access to television or the internet. Whether you go through the jungles of Central Africa or to the canyons of steel of New York, radio exists everywhere. It can be used to spread awareness about traffic accidents, major sporting events, and local emergencies.
What is UNESCO doing to support radio?
UNESCO has had a long history of supporting radio, dating back to the 1940s when leaders realized the power of radio. As recently as 2018, UNESCO has supported over 50 radio stations in Africa by helping to provide training as well as grooming journalists in order to improve the quality of programming.
The significance of radio cannot be underestimated. Radio can help clarify misunderstandings and even represent the frustration Without supporting radio, broadcasters can fall into the trap of misinformation and parroting propaganda. Additionally, radio stations may be subjugated to censorship if they do not receive assistance in the variety of forms mentioned above.
Rithvik Gujjula
SOURCES:
https://en.unesco.org/courier/2020-1/radio-and-unesco-long-history