Radio: A Lifeline in a Changing World
Every 13 February marks World Radio Day, a celebration of the medium that first crackled to life 80 years ago with UN Radio. As the world increasingly focuses on digital platforms, radio endures, providing a vital connection – particularly in areas fractured by conflict, disaster, or limited access to technology.
From UN Headquarters to Global Reach
The enduring role of radio is deeply woven into the history of the United Nations. In 1946, as the world emerged from the devastation of the Second World War, UN Radio began broadcasting from studios at UN Headquarters in New York, delivering news and programming in five languages, and even transmitting full Security Council proceedings. Over the decades, iconic voices like Edward R. Murrow, Marlon Brando, Audrey Hepburn, and Frank Sinatra narrated global stories, while listeners heard historic speeches from leaders including John F. Kennedy, Mikhail Gorbachev, Nelson Mandela, Fidel Castro, and Pope John Paul II.
That legacy evolved into UN News, a multimedia platform now publishing in 10 languages and reaching audiences in over 170 countries. UN News continues to deliver breaking news, interviews, and in-depth coverage of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Rebuilding in Gaza
Nowhere is radio’s importance more apparent than in conflict zones. Before October 7, 2023, 23 local radio stations operated in Gaza. Following the war triggered by Hamas attacks on Israel, every station was destroyed. Yet, Rami Al‑Sharafi, director of Zaman FM, is working to restore broadcasting – a fragile but determined effort amidst widespread damage.
Speaking to UN News Arabic, Al‑Sharafi stated plainly: “Zaman FM has resumed broadcasting, and we are currently the only radio station transmitting FM frequencies from inside the Gaza Strip after this massive destruction.” The need for reliable broadcasting is profound, particularly as Gaza faces the spread of diseases, the collapse of educational structures, and disrupted public services.
A Trusted Voice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Across other conflict zones, radio serves as a steadying presence. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Radio Okapi, established in 2002 as part of the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO), has become a trusted source of information. Broadcasting in French and four national languages, the station provides reliable news in regions affected by violence and displacement.
Listeners in Bukavu, a city in the DRC’s restive eastern region, describe Radio Okapi as playing “a key role in promoting peace by broadcasting information that is reliable and impartial.” Another resident noted that “when people want to be sure that information is true, they often turn to Radio Okapi.” The station also serves as a vital channel for civic participation and accountability, ensuring victims of war can express their suffering and that authorities are informed.
A Lifeline for Refugees
For refugees like Bahati Yohane, now living in Kyangwali Refugee camp in Uganda, Radio Okapi was a lifeline during escalating violence in the DRC. In an interview with UN News Kiswahili, Yohane said: “To be honest, if there had been no radio to tell us anything about security, we would not be alive in this world today.”
In the Central African Republic, the UN Mission (MINUSCA) supports both its own station, Guira FM, and local broadcasters to maintain access to life-saving information. Recent campaigns have distributed over 500 radios to communities, improving information flow and curbing the spread of rumors.
Accessibility and Inclusion
Radio’s strength lies in its accessibility. In India, Radio Udaan, launched in 2014, is the country’s first online station operated entirely by visually impaired presenters and staff. Reaching 125,000 listeners in 120 countries, it addresses disability rights, education, and social inclusion. Founder Danish Mahajan explained to UN News Hindi that the station benefits greatly from UN News content, particularly themes related to disability rights and inclusion.
The Human Element
Even as artificial intelligence transforms the audio landscape, the human element remains crucial. In China, AI-generated news presenters are becoming more common, offering accuracy and efficiency. However, Professor Sun Shaojing of Fudan University notes that the imperfections of human speech – pauses, hesitations, and emotional tones – are what give voice its soul. “When reporting on disaster scenes… AI would lose many of the emotional and empathetic dimensions that require human compassion and connection,” he said.
Radio Beyond Earth
Radio’s reach extends beyond Earth. Since the launch of the first satellite in 1957, radio waves have been essential for space communication, Earth monitoring, and navigation. Alexandre Vallet, Chief of Space Services at the International Telecommunication Union, explained to UN News Portuguese that expanding lunar plans will likely increase radio-communication needs, potentially threatening the Moon’s Shielded Zone, protected for scientific purposes.
Looking ahead, the growing space economy – including space tourism and orbital manufacturing – will further rely on reliable radio-based communication channels.
Amid a world overwhelmed by technology, radio endures as a reminder that the simplest forms of communication often hold the greatest power to inform, protect, and unite.
