Year: 2025

The Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA) celebrated World Radio Day, observed annually on February 13, under this year’s theme “Radio and Climate Change“.UNESCO designated this day in commemoration of its first radio broadcast in 1946, reinforcing radio’s prominence as an essential auditory medium. The occasion highlights radio’s vital role in human diversity, its widespread reach as the most accessible media platform, and the importance of high-quality radio content that upholds professional standards. It also emphasizes engaging listeners, encouraging community participation, and ensuring the competitiveness and sustainability of radio stations in attracting and retaining a broad audience.Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harthi, Saudi Broadcasting Authority CEO, spoke to the Saudi Press Agency about the authority’s commitment to radio development, citing its wide reach.He said that Saudi radio’s evolution matched the Kingdom’s social development, serving as a vital channel for knowledge dissemination and keeping citizens informed about local and global developments.Despite technological advances, radio remains one of the most widely used global media forms, reaching diverse communities across all sectors of society.The Kingdom’s radio broadcasting history dates back to 1949 when the late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman issued a Royal Order establishing Saudi Radio. The inaugural broadcast began in the same year from Jeddah during the Hajj season, initially focusing on official and religious news and literary productions such as poetry and articles, with a daily broadcast duration of no more than three hours.Under the umbrella of SBA, the Kingdom operates several radio stations, including Jeddah Radio, Riyadh Radio, Saudia Radio (English-language service), the Holy Quran Radio, Nidaa Alislam Radio, Al-Ekhbariya Radio, and Khuzama Radio.Recognizing the Kingdom’s Islamic significance and influential global role, the Saudi International Radios network was established in 1969, broadcasting in more than 10 languages, including French, Turkish, Indonesian, Persian, Hindi, and Urdu. […]

On the small island nation of Niue in the South Pacific Ocean, over six hundred radios were gifted to every household to mark World Radio Day (WRD) on February 13.The radios, donated by the People’s Republic of China, were distributed by national broadcaster Broadcasting Corporation of Niue (BCN) and the Associate Minister of Broadcasting Esa Mona Ainuu.Ainuu, a former journalist, spoke about the significance of Radio in providing information and keeping our population updated on what is happening around the island. She said that radio is still the preferred source of information for many, especially the elderly.Alofi South village councillor Ettie Pasene-Mizziebo that she listens to the radio all the time because she loves music and the radio is her main source of information.General Manager of BCN, Trevor Tiakia said that they realise how valuable a radio is to a household and especially during cyclones or any disaster.The only radio station in Niue, Radio Sunshine is part of BCN.Its senior reporter Esther Pavihi posted a note on Facebook to commemorate WRD, saying: “I started working on radio in 1998 with Evaeva Niue under the tutelage of Lofa Rex and Ida Hekesi. Thirty odd years later I’m still on radio with the news and current affairs. Working on radio is a responsibility to our audience … to keep them informed, educated and entertained, and shaping national conversations on issues that matter to our society. Today Feb 13th is World Radio Day…Fakaaue lahi to all whose voices keep us informed and entertained, those who wake us up in the mornings and keep us company during cyclones.” […]