Radio A Force For Good: News you can trust

It’s hard to put into words how challenging the last year has been, but every step of the way radio has acted as a constant support.

Radio has been a force for good in the darkest of times, supporting the nation like a reliable friend you don’t have to socially distance from. In the run up to World Radio Day on Saturday 13^th February, Radiocentre is looking at five reasons why radio has been a #ForceForGood over the past year, and calling on radio stations and listeners across the UK to share their own reasons, by posting with the hashtag and tagging @Radiocentre.

In times as uncertain as these it’s so important to hear news and information that you know is impartial, concise and factual. Radio’s trusted news output has been relied on by millions of listeners during the pandemic.

Twisted narratives and fake news found with other media, particularly around social media platforms can be scary and harmful during times when staying up to date with what is going on is so important. Last year, research showed a high level of trust in radio among all listeners, with respondents ranking radio as the most trusted source of news (77%), with social media the least trusted. At the start of the pandemic, commercial radio stations broadcast 25% more news bulletins for 28% longer, as audiences needed clear, concise news updates.

With its 36 million listeners, commercial radio is one of the biggest providers of broadcast news in the UK and reaches audiences of all types – it provides essential news to those who may not hear regulated news anywhere else.

During the pandemic we also found that eight out of ten listeners (80%) found radio a reliable source for regular updates and that three quarters (74%) relied on radio to provide vital national news. It’s clear that audiences know that they can rely on radio during these challenging times and these are just some of the reasons radio has been a force for good over the past year – and for that we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the hard working radio journalists all across the UK.

Share your examples of how radio has been a charitable force for good by posting with the hashtag #ForceForGood and tagging @Radiocentre.

World Radio Day 2021 is on Saturday 13^th February. The celebration is run by UNESCO and more information is available here.