The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has proclaimed February 13 as World Radio Day, recognizing the importance of radio as a powerful medium of communication worldwide.
Radio was pioneered by Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi, who was awarded the 1909 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contribution to the development of wireless telegraphy. His groundbreaking work laid the foundation for modern radio communication.
The proposal to establish World Radio Day was submitted to UNESCO by the Spanish Radio Academy in September 2010. Following approval, the first World Radio Day was celebrated in 2012 by United Nations member states across the globe. The commemoration came 118 years after the invention of the radio.
Since the 1920s, radio has remained close to the hearts of people, providing not only entertainment but also education and vital information. Over the decades, it has evolved into one of the most accessible and influential forms of mass communication.
Marconi's team sent a message across the Bristol Channel from Brean to Lavernock in Wales.
Since the 1920s, radio has held a special place in the hearts of the people, serving as a powerful medium that delivers both entertainment and knowledge. In , broadcasting has evolved significantly over the decades, beginning with early services that laid the foundation for what would later become institutions such as the . Today, the country boasts more than fifty radio stations operating under both state and private ownership, reflecting the dynamic growth of the industry and its continued relevance in the digital age.
The theme of World Radio Day 2026 is “Radio and Artificial Intelligence: AI is a tool, not a voice.”
Ram Singh Bouddh from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, known as the “Radio Man of India,” was recognised by Guinness World Records in 2025 for owning the world’s largest collection of 1,257 radios.
Radio has always carried a certain charm intimate yet expansive, simple yet powerful. It slips quietly into daily life, asking for little but offering companionship, information and a sense of belonging. Long before screens dominated attention, radio was the trusted voice in the room connecting distant geographies, diverse languages and countless lives through shared listening.
Many historical moments are etched in collective memory through radio announcements. How can one forget the night of August 14-15, 1947 when the radio sets cackled to announce the independence of India. In that singular broadcast, radio did not simply deliver news it united a vast, diverse nation in one shared sound of freedom.
World Radio Day (WRD) was proclaimed by United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at its 36th General Conference in 2011 and was later adopted by the United Nations General Assembly during its 67th session in 2012, making it an officially recognised international observance. It is celebrated annually on 13th February, to commemorate the establishment of United Nations Radio in 1946, which began broadcasting soon after World War II and symbolised an early commitment to global communication and information sharing.
The theme of World Radio Day 2026 “Radio and Artificial Intelligence: AI is a tool, not a voice” underscores the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in the broadcasting ecosystem. It highlights how AI can enhance content production, archiving, translation, audience engagement and accessibility, making radio more efficient and inclusive. At the same time, the theme emphasises that technology must remain a support system, not a substitute for the human voice, editorial judgement and credibility that define radio. By encouraging ethical and responsible use of AI, the theme reaffirms that innovation should strengthen radio’s core values of trust, authenticity and community connection in the digital age.
