World Radio Day and the reason to listen

Neal Augenstein, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – Exactly who discovered radio is the subject of debate. What’s not debatable is the little box with sound coming from it has affected all of us.

Beyonce sings, “I’m in love with my radio cause it never lets me down.” Jonathan Richman sings, “It helps me from being alone late at night.” The Ramones ask, “Do you remember lying in bed, with your covers pulled up over your head?”

Wednesday gives fans of radio reason to celebrate as it’s World Radio Day.

It was proclaimed in 2011 by the United Nations educational, scientific, and cultural organization.

The day is intended to celebrate radio as a medium, to improve cooperation between broadcasters and encourage networks and community radio to promote access to information and freedom of expression over the airways, according to UNESCO.

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon describes how radio changed his life.

How and why do you listen to the radio? Is it for traffic? Is it because it’s portable and always there?

Follow @AugensteinWTOP and @WTOP on Twitter.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up