World Radio Day is an annual celebration of the special role of radio as a means of communication, Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
Established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the day has been celebrated each February 13 since 2013.
The theme for this year’s celebration is Radio and Peace, according to officials.
Independent radio is 'a pillar for conflict prevention and peacebuilding’
UNESCO said that “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.”
It added that “professional radio moderates conflict and/or tensions, preventing their escalation or bringing about reconciliation and reconstruction talks.”
UNESCO also said that “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.”
UN officials added: “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.”
Polish Radio celebrates 2023 World Radio Day
Agnieszka Kamińska, CEO of Polish Radio, told reporters: “Polish Radio combines history and modernity. It keeps developing as it follows its listeners, which is reflected in new broadcasting, multi-media and publishing projects.”
To mark World Radio Day 2023, Poland’s public broadcaster has prepared a host of special programmes on all of its stations, executives said.
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Source: IAR, polskieradio.pl, UNESCO