World Radio Day 2025: Everything You Need to Know
Broadcasters, it’s your time. World Radio Day celebrates the audio-only medium in all its glory. So here’s everything you need to know with some fresh ideas on how to mark the day.
As official radio nerds, we’re chuffed there’s an official and international day to celebrate this wonderful way of broadcasting: World Radio Day. If you’re after all the details and some ideas of how you can recognise the day, dive right in.
World Radio Day Background
World Radio Day is on the 13th of February each year. It's now in its 13th year and was first announced back in 2011 by UNESCO’s member states.
Two years later in 2013, the United Nations General Assembly gave it their stamp of approval and endorsed it as an international day.
World Radio Day 2025 Theme
The theme of World Radio Day 2025 is Radio and Climate Change: A Powerful Tool for Climate Action.
As the world faces the growing challenge of climate change, radio remains a vital medium for spreading awareness, educating audiences, and encouraging collective action.
Radio is one of the most accessible and trusted ways to reach people, particularly in remote or underserved areas. In 2025, radio’s role in tackling climate change is more important than ever, offering a platform for conversations that promote environmental sustainability and inspire action.
Whether it’s through community radio stations broadcasting local climate news, national networks raising awareness about global environmental challenges, or global stations promoting international climate agreements, radio helps amplify voices and bring people together around a shared commitment to protecting our planet.
How you celebrate World Radio Day is up to you. But keep reading for some ideas.
The Previous Themes of World Radio Day
- 2024: A century informing, entertaining and educating
- 2023: Radio & Peace
- 2022: Radio and Trust
- 2021: New World, New Radio - Evolution, Innovation, Connection
- 2020: Radio and Diversity
- 2019: Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace
- 2018: Radio and Sports
- 2017: Radio Is You
- 2016: Radio In Times of Emergency and Disaster
- 2015: Youth and Radio
- 2014: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Radio
- 2012 & 2013: No theme
How to Celebrate World Radio Day On Air
World Radio Day 2025 may just be around the corner, but there’s still time to mark the day…
1. Re-Spin Iconic Radio Moments From The Past
There have been countless iconic radio moments, why not ask your listeners what they remember? Get the ball rolling with moments you heard first-hand, from nail-biting sports games to famous deaths.
2. Highlight Radio's Role in Climate Action
Radio has always been a tool for change, and today, it's playing a key role in raising awareness about climate change and sustainability. Create a special segment that shines a spotlight on how radio has been used to inform, inspire, and drive action on environmental issues. You can share powerful stories from climate-focused broadcasts, interview experts, or feature local initiatives making a difference. Ask your listeners to share how radio has influenced their own environmental efforts, and together, celebrate radio as a catalyst for climate action.
3. Celebrate Other Broadcasters
Good radio hosts touch countless lives. We're willing to bet one or two even inspired you on your broadcasting journey. Pay homage to the Greats that came before you by producing a segment on them. You can talk about touching moments, when they broke a particular record or how they changed public opinions. If you're in need of inspiration, here's our 100 famous radio hosts of the century.
4. Partner Up With a Radio Station in a Different Country
Go international, baby. Find a radio station abroad that's marking the day, and partner up with them. You could relay each others stream or play their pre-recorded segments for the global outlook. Check out our Facebook Community page to find a station.
5. Celebrate Radio’s Environmental Heroes
Over the years, radio has amplified the voices of environmental activists, scientists, and community leaders working tirelessly to fight climate change. Celebrate these environmental heroes by dedicating a segment to their work and impact. You could feature interviews with local climate advocates, highlight global environmental campaigns supported by radio, or revisit iconic broadcasts that sparked climate awareness. Encourage your listeners to nominate their own climate heroes and share how radio has helped them connect with crucial environmental movements. Together, you can celebrate the unsung champions of climate action.
These are just some ideas to get you started. Remember, World Radio Day is a day to get creative with your programmes.
How Will You Mark World Radio Day?
We wish broadcasters and listeners alike a happy World Radio Day. How will you mark the day? Let us know over on over on your favourite social media platform.
