ITU marks World Radio Day 2015 in Geneva, 13 February
Live global broadcast, exhibitions, demos, hackathon, debates, features
highlight theme: Youth and Innovation in Radio
Geneva, 4 February 2015 – World Radio Day will be marked at ITU in Geneva on 13 February. The event will be broadcast live around the world from 17:00 to 20:00 in the Popov Room in ITU’s Tower Building.
Organized by UNESCO, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the United Nations Office in Geneva, and ITU, World Radio Day will begin with a hackathon among young innovators and software developers and an exhibition of new devices as well as historic pieces opening at 14:00 followed by a technical session by radiocommunication experts at 14:30.
The main programme will open at 17:00 with a live broadcast anchored by BBC correspondent Imogen Foulkes and will include features produced by UNESCO, UN Radio and ITU, and the World Radio Day concert by the UN Jazz Ensemble.
On the occasion of ITU’s year-long 150th anniversary celebrations, World Radio Day looks at Innovation with a specific focus on youth, exploring new trends in radio technology while promoting free, pluralistic and independent radio broadcasting. Radio is also an effective low-cost medium to broadcast news, features, educational content and entertainment and plays a strong and specific role in emergency communication and disaster relief.
| What: | World Radio Day |
| When: | 13 February 2015, 14:00 – 20:00. |
| Where: | ITU Popov Room, Place des Nations, Geneva |
| Why:
| World Radio Day marks the anniversary of the first broadcast by UN Radio in 1946, with: “This is the United Nations calling the peoples of the world.” World Radio Day seeks to raise awareness about the importance of radio, facilitate access to information through radio, and enhance networking among broadcasters. In November 2011, UNESCO approved the creation of World Radio Day following a proposal from the Spanish Academy of Radio. Radio is a low-cost medium, specifically suited to reach remote communities and vulnerable people: the illiterate, the disabled, women, youth and the poor, while offering a platform to intervene in the public debate, irrespective of people’s educational level. Furthermore, radio has a strong and specific role in emergency communication and disaster relief. Radio is also an effective medium to broadcast news, features, weather reports and entertainment and is a medium that is available everywhere – at home, at work or on the move. The theme for World Radio Day is “Youth and Innovation” and is being held in Geneva this year to mark ITU’s 150th anniversary. Radiocommunication lies at the core of ITU’s mandate, ensuring that spectrum is available for this medium as it evolves and is available in every country. ITU develops the global standards that ensure the lowest costs through economies of scale and the most efficient use of spectrum for the sustainable development of radio in the future, in particular to reach the one billion people who still do not have access to radio today. |
| Who:
| Diplomats, UN agencies, representatives of broadcasting unions and radio networks. Live broadcast anchored by BBC correspondent Imogen Foulkes. |
Media Information: UN Press accreditation is valid. Others who wish to attend, please send your request to Lucy Spencer: lucy.spencer@itu.int. Please bring a photo ID to show at the Gate. The best point of entry is the ITU Tower building.
For more information, please contact:
| Sanjay Acharya Chief, Media Relations & Public Information, ITU
|
