World Radio Day: From Doing Community Development To Becoming Voice Of The People
Image Credits: NDTV
  • Whatsapp
  • Telegram
  • Linkedin
  • Print
  • koo
  • Whatsapp
  • Telegram
  • Linkedin
  • Print
  • koo
  • Whatsapp
  • Telegram
  • Linkedin
  • Print
  • koo

From our grandparents’ age-old days to our parents’ college times to our childhood, generation after generation have grooved to the songs playing on the radio. Many of us have also grown up listening to radio-based shows on various issues. Today on February 13, to mark the value of radio in our lives, the world is celebrating its eighth edition of the World Radio Day.


The eighth edition of the radio day

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared 13th February in 2012 as World Radio Day and this year’s theme is ‘Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace.’

While speaking on the occasion, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, noted that even in today’s world of digital communications, radio still reaches more people than any other media platform. Calling radio a tool for informing, reuniting and empowering people, Guterres added, “On this World Radio Day, let us recognize the power of radio to promote dialogue, tolerance and peace.” As we celebrate this day, The Logical Indian talked to a few of the experts from the radio community. These prominent figures talk about different aspects of radio and its journey so far.


Community radio as a tool for development

Sampath Kumar, a professor for Radio News and Feature Reportage at the Asian College of Journalism, said, “The radio has not lost its relevance. In fact, we expect it to make a comeback.” Talking about the state of radio in western countries he says, “If you see globally also, radio has not lost its relevance yet, at least 70% of the people are still listening to the radio in western countries, especially Europe and America.”

He adds that in India, Radio (private radio firms) is not allowed to broadcast news and current affairs, which restricts it from doing a lot more. However, he says that the radio is doing good in many other ways. Community radio is becoming more successful. In many parts of the country, especially people living in small villages are using community radio as a tool to educate people, he adds.

Explaining the community radio, he says that it is the medium through which community problems are discussed on a larger scale. He says that many schools and colleges are also using community radio as a medium to discuss various issues.


Podcast is the new future of Radio

In India, the FM broadcasting began in 1977 but it boomed after 2001 when the privatisation of FM broadcasting began. There are more than 369 operational private radio stations in more than 101 cities and towns across the country. Other than this, the Government of India-owned All India Radio has about 450 FM station that is covering almost 39% of the area and 52% of the population of India.

The senior professor also talked about the old days of radio. “Back in the day, there used to be many radio shows dedicated to the rural population especially farmers. At that time a lot of people did not have a radio so, people used to put radios in the parks or public halls and then listen to different shows on techniques of farming, a variety of rice seed and cricket commentary. In fact, because of these shows, a rice variety was commonly called Radio Rice,” he added.

When asked about the longevity of radio he said that there are new ways by which radio is gaining its prominence. One of them he noted is podcasts. “Podcast is more like a digital version of radio. It might gain more prominence in future.”

The professor hopes that if the government lifts the restrictions from the radio, then radio can be utilised effectively as it has a mass reach and even reaches to the mosremoteot parts of the country.


Radio connects the people

The logical Indian also spoke to Mumbai- based Red FM jockey and one of the radio sensation in the country, RJ Malishka who told us that radio keeps the city alive. She says that the medium does give entertainment, but it also updates people about the city. “It tells them about many things including weather, traffic or any kind of protest that might be happening in the city.”

Calling radio a local way of connecting people, she says that radio can help people ask questions from the authority. She says, “It helps to cover very local issues that are sometimes overlooked by the national media.” Explaining the same, she says that a lot of people make several calls during her radio show to complain about many things like if their roads are logged or something else. “The radio makes voices of the people heard, and it also creates a sense of fear among the local authority, who at least feels that somebody is watching them, which is why they can not get away by doing anything.”

Claiming that she does not see the end of Radio any time soon in future she says, “Till the time radio is relevant to its population and with support from the technology, thinking about the end of radio would be a bit too harsh.” Adding to that she said that radio gives voice to individuals and makes it a collective voice.

Malishka calls her profession a gender-less medium. She says that in this field, both man and women are heard equally. “Any RJ irrespective of its gender in this profession can cover and speak about any issue without any gender biases.”

When asked, does barring radio to broadcast news affect the medium, she said, “Even if we can not do proper news, we are still able to shape people opinions. We are opinion makers here and which is why we have high responsibility on us.” However, she says that she would welcome the move if these restrictions get lifted.

Kashmir based radio jockey and Budgam’s first female jockey RJ Rafia Rahim from Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM says that radio is a local solution to the people. Talking about her callers she says that like any other city Kashmir’s youth also have the same problems. “My callers talk about their career, job, life and many other things.”

She further says that on her evening 3-7 PM show she talks about various issues. “I talk about jobs, which is need of the hour in Kashmir. I give them tips on how to make a resume or how to prepare yourself for an interview and all.”

Calling radio a mix of entertainment and information, She says that people of all age and from different profession listen to the radio. “Housemakers at home, working professionals and youth all listen to the radio at the same time. This is why radio is the best medium to build strong local connections,” says Rafia.

The logical Indian Take

All around the world, radio till now is seen as a source of education where mass knowledge was shared for the benefit for the society. For ages, many have enjoyed radio, today on world radio day we would like to give our tribute to the medium that has catered so many.

Also Read: Community Radio Creates Waves Of Change In Karnataka Villages

Contributors Suggest Correction
Editor : Ridhima Gupta Gupta

Must Reads