Radio was once the most widely available and only electronic mass medium of communication in the world. With its invention in 1896, radio made the broadcast of news and entertainment possible which was unimaginable before.
World Radio Day will be observed today in Bangladesh along with the rest of the world under the theme ‘Radio and Trust’ to emphasize how radio is still one of the most trustworthy news sources despite a global decline in trust in the internet and social media networks.
The day is being celebrated across the world since 2012 after being proclaimed in 2011 by the Member States of UNESCO and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012. Radio played a pivotal role during the Liberation War of 1972 in inspiring the people of the country. It was the only way of mass communication across the country during that time.
The declaration of Bangladesh’s independence was made from Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra.
At present, Bangladesh Betar operates 14 regional radio stations. The number of approved private FM radios is 28. Of these, 23 are broadcasting at present. 32 community radios have received approval and 18 are operating currently.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her 2008 election manifesto of the Awami League announced the initiative to launch community radio. Community radios of the country have been playing a vital role in keeping large sections of the population safe from any disaster.
However, community radios are not being able to hold listeners' attention due to lack of variations in programmes, lack of skilled manpower and financial crisis.
The 18 community radios broadcast different programmes for more than 170 hours daily.
Bangladesh Betar and different private radio stations in the country have chalked out different programmes to observe the day.
Bangladesh Betar has organized a discussion meeting and cultural programme in its headquarter in the capital which will be broadcast simultaneously from all the stations of Bangladesh Betar.
UNESCO has called on the radio stations across the world to celebrate the day through three sub-themes.
The sub-themes include producing independent and high-quality content, taking care of the audience and ensuring competitiveness.
