UNESCO decided for this year the next theme: “Radio and Trust”. In this context, with the pandemic of coronavirus that affects everyone, it is more common that people do not notice and believe more in fake news they can see in social media. People need to trust more in the information and to not believe in disinformation. In spite of radio being the most successful in the world, every time there is more populist discourses or unverified information that harms any democratic system. Fortunately, radio is one of the pillars of democratic systems and it can improve this issue. This medium is present all over the world and any person can access it.
Radio is used as a space for communication, denunciation and debate, where the participation of the whole of society is also allowed. This media does not discriminate, it is accessible to the entire population, regardless of their socio-economic level. In fact, in rural areas, radio is listened for almost 90% of the population, where it serves as a vital platform for public discussion, information sharing and news. In addition, it is very effective to give voice to those who do not usually have one, such as women, LGTBI people or young people. In a few words, radio can be a powerful tool for empowerment and culture.
On the other hand, radio can generate one thing that maybe other media are not capable of doing: personal connection. People establish a circle of confidence and in many programs there is feedback with the listener. In the media address current affairs, topics which listeners can learn or are interested nowadays or music to entertainment. Broadcasters become a kind of companion as they do their daily tasks, indeed it reaches people everywhere and anytime so it kinda creates the feeling that someone is always there.
Radio has managed to adapt to the present day. Radio is still alive despite the internet reaching everyone. Since their first emission at the beginning of the 20 century, radio has evolved and is still doing it. Podcasts and multimedia websites are some of the examples which demonstrate radio knows how to adapt to change. So, one might even say that it is not mortal. This powerful medium has many years ahead of it.