Part of people’s trust in radio is due to its low cost and ubiquitous nature. Its loyal listeners include people in big cities, those in small towns and villages, those in rural communities, and even those in the most isolated places on the planet. Accessible and affordable, radio can reach practically everyone, everywhere. So, radio is still going strong and at ITU we will continue to serve as the steward of global airwaves, ensuring we can connect safely, sustainably, and innovatively for centuries to come. These regulations also prescribe how radio equipment and systems must operate to ensure reliable coexistence among radio services of different administrations and to enable the most efficient utilization of today’s increasingly crowded airwaves. Throughout this period, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has played a central role in advancing the medium worldwide, establishing and updating international regulations on the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits. Mario Maniewicz: This year marks 127 years since the first radio transmission was made by Guglielmo Marconi in 1895 on the Isle of Wight, which led eventually to the signing of the International Radiotelegraph Convention in 1906. Where does the ITU think radio is headed? There have been a lot of changes in the media landscape in recent years. The success of this project helps to secure the long-term sustainability of African radio broadcasting and paves the way for the introduction of digital sound broadcasting in Africa. We have been able to identify over 18,000 frequency assignments that can now be used for FM Broadcasting in Africa without causing or receiving harmful interference. Over the last two years, ITU in collaboration with the African Telecommunications Union and radiocommunication experts have been working on a project to identify new frequencies that would facilitate the expansion of FM radio broadcasting services across the continent. This increase also means there is pressure on the available radio frequencies and especially for FM radio broadcasting. Mario Maniewicz: Over the years we have seen a steady increase in demand for quality radio broadcasting in Africa. The ITU recently announced the identification of new FM frequencies for Africa. As we have seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, radio has kept people connected and entertained, ensured continuity in learning, helped fight misinformation, and disseminated critical health information. For people directly affected, it comes as a vital form of humanitarian assistance. Timely, relevant, and practical information supports effective response measures and saves lives. In times of emergency and disaster, radio broadcasting is one of the most powerful and effective ways of delivering early warnings. 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.īesides this, radio helps listeners feel less isolated and more connected to their community. At the global level, radio remains the most widely consumed medium. Radio is a powerful medium for celebrating humanity in all its diversity and constitutes a platform for democratic discourse. Mario Maniewicz: In Africa, Radio broadcasting still reigns supreme over other forms of mass media channels. This interview was conducted in French and has been edited and adapted for publication. To better understand this decision, and on the occasion of World Radio Day on 13 February, which is being celebrated under the theme "Radio and Trust", UN News spoke to the ITU's Director of Radiocommunication, Mario Maniewicz, who began by explaining the medium's importance in Africa.
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