World Radio Day 2024: Celebrating Information, Education, and Entertainment

World Radio Day is celebrated on Feb 13 each year, honouring the enduring influence of radio as a medium that has informed, entertained, and educated audiences worldwide for over a century. Radio has consistently played a vital role in disseminating information to the masses, particularly when other communication channels were inaccessible.

In India, radio has proven itself as an enduring force, continually evolving to cater to the preferences of newer generations of listeners while integrating advancements in technology. With broadcast radio reaching an impressive 99% of the Indian population, its significance remains unmatched. This year’s World Radio Day theme, “Radio: A century informing, entertaining, and educating,” underscores the profound impact of radio across various spheres, including news, drama, music, and sports.

All India Radio: Backbone of Indian Broadcasting

The public broadcaster, All India Radio (AIR), has been instrumental in disseminating crucial news and government initiatives to every corner of the nation. AIR’s primary objectives include serving the nation by promoting the welfare and development of its people, as encapsulated in its motto, ‘Bahujan Hitaya; Bahujan Sukhaya’—aiming for the benefit and happiness of the masses. Over the past eight decades, AIR has been a lifeline for remote villages, farms, and forests, fulfilling the role of the sole source of information and entertainment.

Notable AIR programs that have resonated with audiences include “Kisan Ki Baat,” Special Programs on COVID-19, “Vigyan Bharati,” “Yuva Bharati,” “Chitra Bharati,” “Mann Ki Baat,” and more.

Community Radio (CR)

Community radio stations have emerged as potent vehicles for information dissemination and agents of social transformation. Positioned as the third tier of broadcasting alongside public and private radio broadcasting, CR provides marginalized communities with a platform to voice their opinions and share authentic information often overlooked by mainstream media outlets. For many marginalized groups, hearing themselves on the radio serves as an empowering experience, amplifying their voices and fostering inclusivity in society.