Page 36 - DIVA1 2026

un radio
at 80:

From the

Airwaves

to a

Global

digital

Platform

On 13 February 1946, just months after the But UN Radio did more than simply report
founding of the United Nations, a new voice went on meetings. It produced news bulletins, in-
on air. UN Radio was born at Lake Success, New depth interviews and feature programmes
York, marking a decisive step in the evolution in multiple languages, distributing them to
of modern multilateral communication. Eight national broadcasters worldwide. For many
decades later, as UN Radio celebrates its 80th countries, particularly in the developing world,
anniversary, its legacy resonates far beyond these broadcasts became a primary source of
the original studio microphones. It laid the information about international diplomacy,
foundation for what has become today’s peacekeeping operations and humanitarian
comprehensive United Nations information initiatives. The airwaves carried not only news,
platform. but also the idea of a shared international
agenda.
In 1946, radio was the world’s most powerful
mass medium. In the fragile aftermath of Over time, this pioneering service expanded
the Second World War, the United Nations into a broader communication structure. It
understood that its mission—peace, security contributed to the creation of the United Nations
and international cooperation—required not Information Service (UNIS) and later evolved
only diplomatic negotiations, but also public into what is today known as the United Nations
understanding. UN Radio was created to inform Department of Global Communications (DGC).
global audiences about the Organization’s The principles established in 1946—multilingual
decisions, debates and peace efforts. For the first outreach, accessibility and global distribution—
time, the UN could speak directly across borders remain central to the UN’s communication
and political systems. strategy.

w w w. d i va i n t e r n at i o n a l . c h