Archived Newsroom • Press Release |
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World Radio Day broadcast focuses on Youth and
Innovation
ITU developing new global standards for sustainable growth of radio
Geneva, 13 February 2015 – World Radio Day, organized this
year by UNESCO, EBU, the United Nations Office in Geneva, and ITU brings
attention to the theme: “Youth and Innovation”, looking ahead to new and
innovative means to connect the world. It features a live global broadcast of
panel discussions, call-ins from radio journalists covering breaking news of the
day, radio features and an international concert by the UN Jazz Ensemble. A
Radio Hackathon over nearly 24 hours has brought together technology buffs
working on coding, hacking, building and breaking.
Anchored by BBC correspondent Imogen Foulkes, the high-level debate includes
the Director General of the United Nations Office in Geneva Mr Michael Møller;
Mr Getachew Engida, Deputy Director General of UNESCO; Ms Ingrid Deltenre,
Director General of the European Broadcasting Union; and ITU Secretary-General
Mr Houlin Zhao.
The live broadcast is coordinated by the European Broadcasting Union and
transmitted globally via the network of World Broadcasting Unions.
“This year’s observance of World Radio Day highlights the importance of radio
to the world’s 1.8 billion young women and men,” said United Nations
Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-moon in a message. “As the international community
shapes new sustainable development goals and a new global agreement on climate
change, we need to hear the voices of young women and men, loudly, strongly and
urgently.”
“We all recognize the value and importance of broadcasting, not just as a
medium for news and entertainment, but as a vital communications service,” said
Mr Houlin Zhao. “Radio is a low-cost medium, specifically suited to reach remote
communities and vulnerable people and has a strong and specific role in
emergency communication and disaster relief.” Mr Zhao stressed the importance of
encouraging young innovators, SMEs and start-ups in developing new,
forward-looking technologies for the sustainable growth of radio.
Mr François Rancy, Director of ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau: “The ITU
World Radiocommunication Conferences, and the ITU assignment and allotment plans
and procedures ensure that spectrum is available for this medium and that it is
available in every country. The ITU Study Groups develop the global standards
that ensure the lowest costs through economies of scale and the most efficient
use of spectrum for the sustainable development of radio in the future, in
particular to reach the one billion people who still do not have access to radio
today.”
A technical session, coordinated by Christoph Dosch, Chairman of ITU-R Study
Group 6, examines new trends and innovation in radio including hybrid
interactive digital radio, traffic information on DAB radio, emergency
radiocommunications and personalized radio which will transform the way people
will listen to radio programmes. Participants included Matthew Shotton, BBC;
Matthias Stoll, Ampegon, Roger Miles and Mathias Coinchon, EBU; Fabian Sattler,
IRT; Satoshi Oode, NHK; Nicole Winkler, Oliver Helbig and Olaf Korte, Fraunhofer
IIS; Aldo Scotti, RaiWay; Christian Wachter and Thomas Bögl, Rohde and Schwarz.
For more information, please
contact:
Sanjay Acharya
Chief, Media Relations and Public Information
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Catherine Hardy
Senior Communication Officer
European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
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