World Radio Day is celebrated every year on February 13th worldwide under the auspices of UNESCO, a subsidiary of the United Nations. The aim of this day is to highlight the importance of radio, promote intercultural and interlingual communication and raise awareness among the public about its positive use.
The General Conference of UNESCO, at its 36th session held in Paris from October 25 to November 10, 2011, approved the celebration of World Radio Day on February 13th every year through Resolution No. 63 / C 36, which officially began in 2012.
Radio is still considered an effective means of communication worldwide. According to a conservative estimate, there are more than 60,000 FM stations, about 15,000 AM/medium wave stations, 200 to 300 short wave stations and more than 120,000 online radio streams active in the world. These figures are proof that radio’s reach and influence remain intact despite the digital revolution.
The golden age of radio in Pakistan-administered Kashmir
For decades, radio was the only source of information and news in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. There was hardly a home without a radio. From morning news to evening current affairs programs, radio resonated in homes, shops and sitting rooms.
International broadcasting organizations like BBC World Service and Voice of America remained among the most popular networks here, which were listened to with great interest. Radio was heavily relied on for political situations, regional news and global scenario awareness.
Digital era and changing priorities
As time went by, the advent of the internet and especially smartphones changed the face of media around the world. Just as watches, calculators and other devices were integrated into mobile phones, radio also became a part of smart devices to a large extent.
The new generation in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, especially Generation Z, now prefer podcasts, YouTube and social media platforms. Traditional radio sets are now rare. However, there are still elderly citizens in the region who listen to the radio regularly. For them, radio is not just a tool but a metaphor for memories of the past, the simplicity of news and the trustworthiness of voices.
Radio: A symbol of the past or a source of the future?
Although modern technology has changed the way we communicate, radio remains a cheap and reliable means of transmitting information in natural disasters, emergencies and remote areas. World Radio Day is a reminder that this world of sound is still alive—maybe in a different form, but its importance remains.
The fading sound of radio still resonates in many homes today, bringing back the echoes of the past in the hearts of listeners.
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