The UNESCO Communication Commission today gave the green light to the creation of a World Radio Day, to be celebrated on February 13. The decision, that will be adopted officially at the end of the 36th sitting of UNESCO's General Conference, in Paris, means the oldest broadcast medium will get the same recognition as Television.

The date of 13 February, the day the United Nations radio was established in 1946, was proposed by the Director-General of UNESCO. The objectives of the Day are to raise greater awareness among the public and the media of the importance of radio; to encourage decision makers to establish and provide access to information through radio; as well as to enhance networking and international cooperation among broadcasters.

After the original proposal by Spain, UNESCO carried out a consultation process starting in June 2011, involving many stakeholders, including the EBU and sister unions, EBU Members, public, state, private, community and international broadcasters. The study found that 91% of those asked supported the idea.