UK Radio Celebrates World Radio Day

Britain’s commercial radio sector is pleased to confirm its support for World Radio Day on Saturday 13 February 2016.  This year the theme for World Radio Day is “Radio in times of emergency and disaster.”

World Radio Day is an initiative by UNESCO and was first observed in 2012 as a day to remember the unique power of radio to touch lives and bring people together across every corner of the globe.  It provides an opportunity to increase awareness of the value of high quality, distinctive broadcasting from both public and commercial radio, as well as their economic and cultural contribution.

The impact of radio in times of emergency will vary greatly around the world (for example in distributing humanitarian aid) but this role was brought home for communities in the UK at the end of 2015 with stations like The Bay, CFM and Capital Yorkshire braving extreme weather and flooding to bring up to date news and information to their listeners.

Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy Ed Vaizey MP said:

“Radio is a fantastic medium that continues to inform and entertain listeners across the UK and around the world. World Radio Day rightly provides an opportunity to remember the unique power of radio to touch lives and bring people together.”

Radiocentre CEO Siobhan Kenny said:

“World Radio Day is a great initiative that highlights the value of radio. Radiocentre and its members understand the power of radio as well as the importance of providing news in emergencies. The floods across the North of England and Scotland at the end of 2015 were just the sort of scenario where commercial radio comes into its own as a vital source of local information.”

More information on the UNESCO supported World Radio Day is available here.