For the 12^th time, 13 February is celebrated as UNESCO World Radio Day. Its theme in 2023 is “Radio and Peace.”  

Radio is an important player and an essential part of maintenance and transition to peace. It is part of its agenda-setting function and provision of essential services to bring forward issues of concern, feature matters that deem attention from authorities and citizens, and give them salience, UNESCO points out. 

"...since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed." 

Professional independent radio strengthens democracy and provides the foundation for sustainable peace. It should therefore more often be included in conflict prevention and peacebuilding strategies and be decisively a focus of media assistance. Increasing support to independent radio should happen in recognition of their importance for peace – and should happen now, UNESCO writes.