Observing World Radio Day for the first time

For the first time in history, World Radio Day was observed today. The day also marks the anniversary of UN radio which was launched in 1946.  It is being celebrated to create awareness on the importance of radio, facilitate access to information through radio and enhance networking among broadcasters.

Radio is a low cost medium, specifically suited to reach remote communities and vulnerable people, while offering a platform to participate in public debate.  It also plays an important role as a facilitator of education and freedom of expression.  It has a strong and specific role in emergency communication and disaster relief.

Radio in Bhutan continues to play an important role in educating, informing and entertaining the people especially those living in the remote areas. According to an audience survey conducted by the Bhutan Broadcasting Service in 2010 people still prefer listening to radio.

“In our survey what we found out was 63 percent in general from 6,242 sample size listen to radio and these people who listen to radio in general 93 percent listen to BBS radio. We also looked in to how many people from rural and urban listen to radio. What we have found out from the survey was that, almost the double the people from rural listen to radio than the rural,” said Damber Kumar Ghimiray, a research member of the audience survey team.

He said radio will continue to have bright future since many of the rural people are economically disadvantaged and will not be able afford another medium.

“Also what we have found from research was that they wanted to listen to radio but they are not in the position to afford to buy a set of radio. Some people say that they are not in the position to repair damaged radio, forget about buying a television set,” he said, adding that radio is not going to die and radio has the future. “Even though television comes up with new channel but radio definitely has a clear future.”

Radio in Bhutan was first started in 1973 by a group of youth volunteers. There are currently six radio stations in the country, including the BBS radio.

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