The Power of Radio

Radio has indeed stood the test of time before television and internet, radio was the source of entertainment, news, keeping people informed. The term broadcast was first in reference to radio and showing its ability to cast news broadly, and because radio is so powerful UNESCO proclaimed in 2011 World Radio Day, and the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 adopted it as an International Day celebrated on the 13th of February.

The theme for this year’s World Radio Day is “Radio and Peace”, this marks the 12th edition of the World Radio Day. To better understand the theme, we investigate what is meant by Peace, according to the Oxford Dictionary it means, “Freedom from disturbance, tranquillity” another meaning is “a state or period in which there is no war, or a war has ended.

Radio remains the most consumed medium and is a powerful tool in mitigating stressful situations and causing stability bringing about Peace in society. This brings the questions, how will radio do this? Because of its ability to reach a wide range of people radio can change, shape, influence people’s way of thinking. When matters need attention radio sets an agenda to discuss these issues addressing the cause and most times the solution. Radio being the voice of the people, they are responsible for giving news that is unbiased and factual bringing about Peace, lets take an example to make it clearer.

During the beginning stages of COVID-19 in South Africa people were in panic not knowing what to expect, and what was factual as various fake news were doing the rounds on social media. This resulted in people panic buying which could have caused food shortages and supplies raising other issues and a looming war. However, radio being a trusted medium, once information on the virus was disseminated through radio people begun to understand the virus, and how to prevent it. The power of radio was once again at work in brining about peace.

Radio also facilitates dialogue among the people, through WhatsApp chats, calling into radio stations and so forth and this causes communities to participate in talking about issues and finding solutions, as a result people take ownership of the decisions made hence peace follows.

Radio is a great catalyst for bringing about peace and should be supported and hence this day World Radio Day is important and should be celebrated as radio merges worlds, societies, different people and makes us one in peace.