VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Tomorrow, February 13, 2019, the world commemorates World Radio Day. This date was set at the 36th UNESCO General Conference on November 3, 2011. Starting in 2012, World Radio Day was commemorated with special themes. This year, "Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace" is the main theme.

Radio is a powerful tool for conveying all information or ideas. This was also conveyed by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guteres in his message for the World Radio Day 2019. He said that Radio is a powerful tool; even when the world is dominated by digital communication, radio broadcasts reach more people than other media. He also pointed out that in a UN peace operation, radio was a vital means to inform people affected by war and reunite them.

In Indonesia, even though it has been enlivened by various new media, such as online media or television, radio broadcasts still have their own listeners. Each radio station presents content and creations to attract listeners. This year, ahead of the 2019 general elections, radio broadcasters in Indonesia are also expected to broadcast information on presidential and legislative elections. The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission as an institution that functions as a regulator of broadcasting in Indonesia even requires the broadcasters to socialize the 2019 General Elections through public service advertisements.

The campaign period for commercial broadcast stations can be a moment to get income. On March 23rd to April 13th, 2019, more than 7,900 legislative candidates could use more than 2,600 radio broadcasts as their campaign media. Undeniably, in delivering their working plans, election participants use various ways to get votes, including via radio.

Radio broadcast administrators must be extra careful to maintain the campaign content of legislative candidates, to uphold the values of unity and integrity, tolerance, and to provide peace. They also have to maintain campaign material according to the rules set by General Election Commissions (KPU). With the spirit of promoting dialogue, tolerance and peace, the radio broadcast administrators contribute a lot to the 2019 General Elections which are direct, general, free, confidential, honest and fair.