DHAKA, Feb 12, 2024 (BSS) - The World Radio Day-2024, a day to celebrate radio as a medium, will be observed in the country as elsewhere across the globe tomorrow highlighting the importance of radio for reaching information and entertainment to the people.

This year's theme of the day is 'Radio: A Century Informing, Entertaining and Educating'.

On the eve of the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages greeting all concerned, including officers, employees, technicians and audience of the Bangladesh Betar and wishing all programmes of the day a success.

In his message, President Mohammed Shahabuddin said Bangladesh Betar is the traditional mass media in the country.

In 1971, Bangladesh Betar created public opinion and inspired freedom fighters by broadcasting various programmes in favor of the country's independence during the Great Liberation War, he added.

After the country's post-independence period, Bangladesh has been making effective contributions in creating awareness on various issues including education, health, women's empowerment, and prevention of child marriage, abuse of women, terrorism, rumors and militancy, warning of dengue, corona pandemic and natural disasters, he added.

The President hoped that being imbued with the spirit of the liberation war, Bangladesh Betar will continue its relentless efforts to accelerate the overall development activities of the government through the involvement of the people.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, termed this year's theme of the day- 'Radio: A Century, Entertaining and Educating'-as time befitting.

During our War of Liberation in 1971, Bangla Beter, the second front of Liberation War, played a unique role, she added.

"Broadcasting the historic 7 March Speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on March 8 ignoring the restriction of the then autocratic rulers, Bangladesh Betar was always with the people in encouraging people during Liberation War in achieving the Independence," Sheikh Hasina said.

Awami League-led government believes in freedom of media, the premier said, adding that the government enacted Right to Information Act, 2009 to ensure the right to information.

The government also formulated National Broadcast Policy 2014, she said, adding that a number of television channels, FM radio and community radio have been licensed in the private sector.

With the launch of 'Bangabandhu Satellite-1', audio, visual and electronic communication has reached a new level, Sheikh Hasina said, adding that hence, the media of the country now is enjoying full freedom.

Bangladesh Betar's role in protecting democratic rights, ensuring free flow of information, bringing diversity and increasing people's involvement in the overall development of the country is commendable, she said.

Besides, the use of modern technology, accurate objective news and information dissemination and creative programmes are constantly taking the radio to maximum audiences at home and abroad, the premier said.

She said the Awami League-led government is working tirelessly to deliver the benefits of independence of the country to the doorsteps of the people.

Sheikh Hasina hoped that Bangladesh Betar will continue to inform the people about the ongoing comprehensive development activities of the government.

Being imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War, the premier hoped, it will continue to make relentless efforts to build 'Smart Bangladesh' and 'Golden Bangladesh' as dreamt by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.