February 13 - World Radio Day: history and traditions of the holiday, theme for 2025

Every year on February 13, World Radio Day, the professional holiday of all communication workers, is celebrated around the world. Izvestia tells us how the international date came into being and under what motto it will be held in 2025.

History of World Radio Day, celebrated on February 13

World Radio Day was proclaimed at the 36th session of the UNESCO General Conference in 2011. A year later, the initiative was supported by the United Nations (UN), which declared February 13 as World Radio Day. The idea itself belongs to the Spanish Radio Academy, which proposed to establish such a day to recognize the importance of radio and its contribution to society.

As noted by the founders of the holiday, in the age of digital technology, radio continues to be the most popular means of communication and communication. World Radio Day should not only honor radio as a means of communication, but also promote greater access to information, as well as positive dialog.

"By reporting news and informing the general public, radio stations shape public opinion and discourse that can influence domestic and international situations and decision-making processes. <...> Freedom from commercial, ideological or political influence strengthens radio's role in peace," the UN website emphasizes.

The date of the celebration was not chosen by chance: it was on February 13, 1946 that UN Radio first went on the air, with its station located at the organization's headquarters in New York. For almost 80 years, the station has been reporting on peace, security and human rights issues.

World Radio Day: Theme in 2025

Every year, World Radio Day is dedicated to a specific theme. The theme for 2025 is "Radio and Climate Change". In this way, the organizers want to celebrate the role of radio in drawing public attention to this issue, and to promote global cooperation on climate change.

"The dissemination of distorted and deliberately false information about climate change is becoming an increasingly serious problem. In this regard, World Radio Day 2025 will focus on the important role of radio broadcasters in equipping citizens with the skills and competencies needed to better understand and recognize climate threats," UNESCO said.

Organizers invite radio stations to take advantage of new free resources on the theme of the holiday and to follow the news on World Radio Day on the official event page. There are also 13 ready-made ideas for reporting on climate issues on radio.

Last year, the theme of the celebration was "Radio: The Age of Information, Entertainment and Education". It discussed the role of radio in informing, entertaining and educating audiences around the world.

Other topics of the past years were "Radio and Trust", "Youth and Radio", "New World. New Radio", "Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace", "Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Radio".

How World Radio Day is celebrated in different countries

Every year, under the auspices of the UN and UNESCO, educational and charitable events are organized in many countries. Leading radio broadcasters, media representatives, governmental and non-governmental organizations take part in them.

Museums and cultural centers dedicate thematic events to the memorable date, and mass media broadcast episodes from the history of radio and tell about the modern work of radio stations.

All over the world, including Russia and the CIS countries, radio station staff receive congratulations from colleagues and management. Specially distinguished employees of the airwaves are awarded with diplomas and bonuses. Students and teachers of specialized educational institutions join the celebration.

Interesting facts about World Radio Day 2025

In addition to World Radio Day, Radio Day is also celebrated in our country. It is celebrated on May 7. It was on this day in 1895 that Russian physicist Alexander Popov conducted the first session of radio communication. Initially, radio was used for military communication. It became a mass medium closer to the end of the First World War.

During the Great Patriotic War, radio was considered "the road of life". Broadcasting did not stop for a minute. Announcers reported news from the front and supported people's hope for victory. And today radio remains one of the most reliable and widely used means of information transmission in the world.

There is also World Amateur Radio Day, which has been celebrated since 1925. It is a holiday for all those who are fond of or work with radio technologies. It is celebrated in different countries, including Russia, on April 18.

Earlier "Izvestia" told about the traditions of the Day of the Russian Press.