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The sixth edition of World Radio Day will be held on 13 February 2017, with all radio stations, regulatory bodies and related organisations invited to plan special events or broadcasts to celebrate how radio shapes our lives.
The theme for the 2017 edition of World Radio Day is “Radio is You!”, a call for greater participation of audiences and communities in the policy and planning of radio broadcasting. More than simple on-air interaction, public participation should include mechanisms such as audience engagement policies, public editors and ombudspeople, listener forums and complaints resolution procedures.
“At a time when many are pointing to a breakdown in civil, constructive discussion, and when the very idea of truth is increasingly being called into question, radio is uniquely-positioned to bring communities together and foster positive dialogue for change,” said Tim Francis, Associate Programme Specialist for Media Development and Society at UNESCO. “It has the power to take us out of our ‘media bubbles’ of like-minded people, and remind us of the importance of listening to each other once again.”
The official World Radio Day website is now online, with all organisations encouraged to sign up to register their events and special broadcasts on the world map, as well as access exclusive content and resources for how they can help to bring listeners to the heart of radio.
As part of the 2017 celebrations, a signature event will also be held in Shanghai, China with the support of the Shanghai Media Group and European Broadcasting Union. A full day of radio-related discussion involving some of the leading figures in Chinese and global media will be followed by a special Chinese New Year concert dedicated to the Day.
World Radio Day was first celebrated in 2012, following its declaration by the UNESCO General Conference. It was subsequently adopted as an International Day by the United Nations General Assembly. Previous annual themes have included gender equality, youth participation, and radio in humanitarian and disaster situations. In 2016, more than 380 World Radio Day events were held in more than 80 different countries.
Visit the official website of World Radio Day 2017 and sign up to register your event or broadcast, and access exclusive content and resources http://www.worldradioday.org/
For more ideas on how to participate, contact Alison Meston at