(VOVworld)-Voice of Vietnam (VOV) President Nguyen The Ky has affirmed that radio has always been a convenient, engaging, popular and diverse media platform. Addressing a ceremony in Hanoi on Monday to mark World Radio Day (February 13), Ky said this year’s theme “Radio is you” hightlights the importance of interactions between radio stations and the audiences. Listeners are the key factor in a radio station’s development strategy and policy, he said.

VOV President Nguyen The Ky speaks at the 2017 World Radio Day ceremony at VOV headquarters in Hanoi

“As the national radio network, VOV has been the vanguard in reforming the media to better meet public demands. VOV programs are open and highly interactive to encourage listeners’ participation, making radio a loyal companion of the public”, Mr. Ky noted.

Jointly organized by VOV and the UNESCO Office in Hanoi, the ceremony drew scores of established jounalists, lecturers and officials.

“Radio is still the most dynamic, reactive and robust medium in forming and transforming us through information, entertainment and audience participation. Having a radio means you’re never alone”, said Acting Representative of the UNESCO Office in Hanoi, Susan Vize.

World Radio Day was first announced in 2011 to honor the role of radio in society. More than 100 events were underway around the world on Monday to mark this occasion. In her message, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova underlined that at a time of turbulence, radio provides an enduring platform to bring communities together. It is a force for human rights and dignity and a powerful enabler of solutions to the challenges all societies face.

A blind Sudanese student and his radio friend (Source: UN Radio)