Radio & its Relevance

Radio & its Relevance

(Subrat Kumar Pati)

Today we have a generation that mostly consumes content from OTT platforms and uses YouTube and apps to listen to music and podcasts. Most of the Radio stations worldwide are on the verge of closing down or have already closed down. In less than a decade, since the first Outreach International Radio Fair, we have witnessed this trend and we have come to a point that we will have to withdraw the word International formally. The last participant NHK, Japan’s exit has made us to withdraw the word International.

People may ask why is then it is important to have an event for an obsolete technology?

It is important because an obsolete technology carries a rich legacy as a part of our history and culture. The technology may have become obsolete but the relevance of radio still has not diminished.

Internet has revolutionised communication technology in general. Radio however has reinvented and stayed relevant despite all the challenges. Today we see radio turning into hyper local medium of transmission. It is turning more interactive and more democratic. Community Radio Stations and Private FM Channels are the new faces of radio.

Convergence is the key. Today what we see is Glocalisation in true sense which is a blend of globalisation and localization. Using the global technology, radio is turning localised. The RJ’s of local FM stations are able to reach to wider audiences by using social media. Such convergence models has brought about a new era that demands more and more innovation and creativity to maintain the connect with people.

This year the theme of world radio day is “ Radio and Peace”. In the present context, peace is of paramount importance. Whether war or peace, it starts in the minds of the people. Therefore, the content, language and design of the programme that are more collaborative and democratic in nature must lay the foundation for sustainable peace.