World Radio Day

13 February

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 became World Radio Day (WRD).

Radio is a powerful medium for celebrating humanity in all its diversity and constitutes a platform for democratic discourse. 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. Radio stations should serve diverse communities, offering a wide variety of programs, viewpoints and content, and reflect the diversity of audiences in their organizations and operations.

CELEBRATIONS IN 2021

On the occasion of World Radio Day 2021 (WRD 2021), UNESCO calls on radio stations to celebrate this event’s 10th anniversary and the more than 110 years of radio.

This edition of WRD is divided into three main 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 everywhere and to everyone;
CONNECTION. The world changes, radio connects.
This sub-theme highlights radio’s services to our society—natural disasters, socio-economic crises, epidemics, etc.

All material is copyright free and may be used to promote World Radio Day.

New World, New Radio (WRD 2021 official Soundtrack)

To celebrate the 10th edition of World Radio Day, Chapelier Fou created a new song around this year's theme, "New World, New Radio."

This original participatory work is an authentic signature of the artist recognized on the international electro scene. It was composed of radio contributions from around the world.

Languages: multilingual

TO BROADCAST: MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL

"More than ever, we need this universal humanist medium, vector of freedom. Without radio, the right to information and freedom of expression and, with them, fundamental freedoms would be weakened, as would cultural diversity, since community radio stations are the voices of the voiceless."

— Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Radio Day

Download the written complete message :

Broadcast the audio message:

English | Français | Español

What other UNESCO’ sectors do to connect people through radio

ResiliArt Initiative

Support indigenous & community radio in Mexico

Global Coalition for Education with #LearningNeverStops

Girl Back to School Initiative

Radio toolkit for the girls’ education campaign

MAB – Youth (Radio Alto Huayabamba)

Inclusion in the time of COVID-19: addressing racism, discrimination, and exclusion

WHAT DOES UNESCO DO FOR THE FREE FLOWS OF IDEAS

Community Media Sustainability

Media Pluralism and Diversity

Gender Equality in Media

Media and Information Literacy

Media in Crisis and Disaster Situations

Events around the world

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