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.

Radio continues to be one of the most trusted and used media in the world, according to different international reports.  

World Radio Day 2023

The theme for the 12th edition of the World Radio Day, to be celebrated on 13 February 2023, is "Radio and Peace". 

War, as an antonym to peace, signifies an armed conflict between countries or groups within a country, but may also translate into a conflict of media narratives. The narrative can increase tensions or maintain conditions for peace in a given context - for instance weigh in on the rough or smooth conduct of elections, the rejection or integration of returnees, the rise or tempering of nationalistic fervour, etc. In reporting and informing the general public, radio stations shape public opinion and frame a narrative that can influence domestic and international situations and decision-making processes.

Radio can indeed fuel conflict but in reality, professional radio moderates conflict and/or tensions, preventing their escalation or bringing about reconciliation and reconstruction talks. In contexts of distant or immediate tension, relevant programmes and independent news reporting provide the foundation for sustainable democracy and good governance by gathering evidence about what is happening, informing citizens about it in impartial and fact-based terms, explaining what is at stake and brokering dialogue among different groups in society.

“… since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.”

That is the reason why support to independent radio has to be viewed as an integral part of peace and stability. On World Radio Day 2023, UNESCO highlights independent radio as a pillar for conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

Read more

Radio and Peace
World Radio Day 2023 Celebration Event Registration Form
13 Ideas for Celebrating 13 February 2023
World Radio Day 2023 Audios
The Impact of UN Peacekeeping Radio Stations
World Radio Day 2023 Visuals to download
History of World Radio Day
The First Half Century (1894-1945): Milestones in radio
Message from Tawfik Jelassi

Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information Sector, UNESCO

Interview with Francesca Mold

Francesca Mold, Chief of Strategic Communications, United Nations Department of Peace Operations

Interview with Noel Curran

Director General at the European Broadcasting Union

Interview with Ben Dotsei Malor

Chief, Communications and Public Information, UN Mission in South Sudan

Interview with Douglas Coffman

Public Information Officer, Peace and Security Section, Department of Global Communications, UN New York

Interview with Francesca Mold

Chief of Strategic Communications, United Nations Department of Peace Operations

Read the full message from the Director General

Message from Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Radio Day, 13 February 2023
13 février 2023
UNESCO
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Read the Resolution

UNESCO Resolution on World Radio Day
2012

Item 63

0000215084

Resources

Resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly
United Nations' Website about this day
Past Edition
All International Days

Partners

What does UNESCO do for the free flow of ideas

Community Media Sustainability
Media Pluralism and Diversity
Gender Equality in Media

What other UNESCO’ sectors do to connect people through radio

ResiliArt Initiative
Support indigenous & community radio in Mexico
Radio toolkit for the girl's education campaign
MAB - Youth (Radio Alto Huyabamba)