Free, independent and pluralistic. Radio: a tool for peace

February 13^th is World Radio Day.

The observance was proclaimed in 2011 by Unesco and seeks to raise awareness about the importance of radio, facilitate access to information through radio and enhance networking among broadcasters.

Irina Bokova, Director General of Unesco sent a special message for radio broacasters across the globe saying that the world continues to change everyday, but the marvel of radio remains as striking as ever. And she speaks of radio as a powerful tool for peace, as it helps builds respect and understanding

In its resolution Unesco points out that radio has to be recognized as a low cost medium, specifically suited to reach remote communities and vulnerable people: the illiterate, the disabled, women, youth and the poor, while offering a platform to intervene in the public debate, irrespective of people’s educational level.

Furthermore, the resolution points out, radio has a strong and specific role in emergency communication and disaster relief. And – it says - there is also a changing face to radio services which, in the present times of media convergence, are taking up new technological forms, such as broadband, mobiles and tablets. However, it is said that up to a billion people still do not have access to radio today.

To mark and to celebrate this brand new annual observance, Linda Bordoni takes a look at how Christianity’s good news is broadcast in Southern Africa, where some 94% of the population listens to radio.

To do this she focusses on South Africa’s “Radio Veritas” – which by the way – also re-broadcasts a selection of features from Vatican Radio’s English Programme, and whose motto is: “the Good News for a change”!

One of the many good reasons chosen to feature South Africa’s “Radio Veritas” on this World Radio Day is that the year 2012 will undoubtedly be the most exciting year in its history!

In fact, late last year the Board of ICASA- Independent Communications Authority of South Africa which is the regulator for the South African communications, after years of requests on behalf of the radio station, towards the end of last year finally granted Radio Veritas a licence to broadcast on the Medium Wave with a wavelength that has a substantial broadcast range reaching as far afield as the Northern Cape and Southern Zimbabwe.

Many South Africans have expressed their delight and appreciation for this development, including the archbishop of Durban, Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier, who listed it amongst the good news stories of 2011 for the African continent!

Radio Veritas Director, Dominican father Emil Blaser and programme manager Olinda Orlando talk about their aims and their means in a multi-lingual, multi-cultural nation where so many people listen to radio...

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