Bhopal hosted a forward-looking observance of World Radio Day 2026, where UNICEF Madhya Pradesh and Akashvani united around ‘AI and Radio: Amplifying Children’s Voices.’ Key takeaway: radio’s unwavering alliance with communities amid disasters and health scares.
William Hanlon, UNICEF’s top official in Madhya Pradesh, spotlighted radio’s child rights momentum. In dialogues with attendees—including youth, presenters, media figures, and specialists—he reiterated: ‘Radio serves as an accessible, trusted info hub in crises.’
Drawing from local experiences, Hanlon celebrated radio’s role in child protection efforts. AI’s ascent, he noted, underscores human elements in ethical media: ‘Tech advances, but real responsibility lies with people.’
Akashvani program lead Rajesh Bhat traced nearly 90 years of triumphs over rivals like TV, social media, and AI. ‘Challenges ignite our creativity,’ Bhat affirmed, hailing endurance, moral duty, and credibility as hallmarks, with listenership on the rise.
Anil Gulati of UNICEF portrayed radio as ‘imagination’s arena’ and steadfast channel. COVID-19 validated its outreach supremacy. It adapts without losing soul in the streaming era.
Queries from students on AI misinformation versus traditional radio prompted clarifications: AI lacks source scrutiny and editorial finesse. The gathering ended reinforcing radio’s supremacy in voicing children’s needs and crisis resilience.