"New World, New Radio" the theme as Patria celebrates World Radio Day

 

Proclaimed in 2011 by the Member States of UNESCO, and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an International Day, February 13 became World Radio Day (WRD). Patria is not a member of UNESCO, as international organizations such as the UN want nothing to do with micronations and have constantly declined to recognize Patria. Nonetheless, World Radio Day is celebrated throughout the Inner Realm. The theme of the tenth annual World Radio Day is "New World, New Radio". 

Radio is a powerful medium for celebrating humanity in all its diversity and constitutes a platform for democratic discourse. At the global level, radio remains the most widely consumed medium. This unique ability to reach out the widest audience means radio can shape a society’s experience of diversity, stand as an arena for all voices to speak out, be represented and heard. Radio stations should serve diverse communities, offering a wide variety of programs, viewpoints and content, and reflect the diversity of audiences in their organizations and operations.

As part of World Radio Day 2021, Patria is celebrating 100 years of broadcasting. The first experimental radio transmissions in Patria took place in 1921. One of the first such broadcasts, transmitted on 360 meters (about 833 kHz), was the traditional All-Patria Football Federation soccer match between old rivals Caesarea United and Castoropolis FC. The success of this broadcast would lead to Patria's first officially licensed radio station, PMC in Castoropolis, signing on in 1922. In 1926, Patria's first radio network, the Voice of Patria, was created by Act of Congress. This public network would later evolve into Ramrajyavani and would flourish alongside a wide, vibrant range of privately-owned stations.

Ramrajyavani, the Voice of Patria since 1926.

In Patria, you will find old-school AM radio as it should be: full-service stations with locally-produced and locally relevant news, sports and current affairs programming. Music played by real announcers or disc jockeys (even if it's been years since they last jockeyed real vinyl discs) live in the station's studio - not voice-tracked. Much as in India, there are local stations in Patria that serve marginalized communities with news and information vital to the community's well-being.

Patria condemns Bell Media's recent mass layoffs of newscasters, program hosts and other staff at radio stations across Canada, including CFRB-1010 Toronto and CJAD-800 Montreal. Needless to mention the layoffs were partially blamed on that hoary old scapegoat, COVID19.

"More than ever, we need this universal humanist medium, vector of freedom. Without radio, the right to information and freedom of expression and, with them, fundamental freedoms would be weakened, as would cultural diversity, since community radio stations are the voices of the voiceless."

— Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Radio Day