In 2011 UNESCO declared February 13 to be World Radio Day, celebrating radio’s power for democratic discourse, serving humanity in all its diversity. 2021 is the 10th World Radio Day, and stations spanning the globe will join in the commemoration.
Hofstra University’s WRHU will receive the 2021 World Radio Day Award. The 60 year-old station has stepped up its commitment to community service in response to the coronavirus pandemic, earning recognition from the awards jury for programming like “Well Said with Dr. Ira Nash,” a podcast collaboration with the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.
WHRU will air a 72-hour broadcast for World Radio Day beginning Friday, February 12 at 7 AM EST. The programming will feature interviews with over 60 Hofstra alumni, radio hall of famers and musical super stars. Partner stations include Bush Radio 89.5 Capetown, Pocono 96.7 Stroudsburg, Long Island News Radio 103.9 Riverhead, KBOO 90.7 Portland, ICRT FM Taipei, Green Giant FM Manila, Florida Man Radio 660 AM Orlando, Wall Radio 94.1 Middletown and KKHJ 93.1 American Samoa.
Every year’s WRD is dedicated to themes. This year, the themes are:
- EVOLUTION. The world changes, radio evolves.
This sub-theme refers to the resilience of the radio, to its sustainability ; - INNOVATION. The world changes, radio adapts and innovate.
Radio has had to adapt to new technologies to remain the go-to medium of mobility, accessible everywhere and to everyone; - CONNECTION. The world changes, radio connects.
This sub-theme highlights radio’s services to our society—natural disasters, socio-economic crises, epidemics, etc.
Ultimately, World Radio Day is a time to recognize the power of radio to connect people, often transcending borders, to spread culture, news and ideas, even when physical barriers may intervene.
