Secretary-General, in Message to Mark World Radio Day, Hails Medium

 

as Valuable, Cost-effective Lifeline for Vulnerable Communities

 

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message for World Radio Day, in New York on 13 February:

As a young boy growing up in a poor village after the Korean War, we did not have much.  No phones.  No television.  But we had something that connected us to the world outside our small village.  We had radio.  And radio helped open my eyes and ears to the world.

Since its invention more than 100 years ago, radio has sparked the imagination, opened doors for change, and served as a channel for life-saving information.  Radio entertains, educates and informs.  It promotes democratic expression and influences ideas.  From shortwave to FM to satellite transmission — radio connects people wherever they are.

In conflict situations and times of crisis, radio is a lifeline for vulnerable communities.  Radio is both valuable and cost-effective.

From day one, the United Nations has been using radio to reach the peoples of the world.  United Nations Radio sheds light on all issues on the United Nations agenda — from sustainable development to the protection of children to peacekeeping and conflict prevention.

We are proud of our rich history of radio production in many languages, and the innovative ways we use radio to inform and serve the world.

On this World Radio Day, let us celebrate the power of radio and let us work together to tune the world to the frequency of peace, development and human rights for all.

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For information media • not an official record