How the United Nations used radio to broadcast its voice to the entire world

Cultures · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Established in 1946, United Nations Radio was created to ensure the world’s population remained fully informed of the organization's goals. From shortwave broadcasts to digital podcasts, the service has evolved into a vital source of international news, often serving as the only available information for listeners in remote regions.

United Nations Radio was formally established on 13 February 1946, following a General Assembly resolution that deemed the organization’s objectives unattainable without an informed public. Initially operating from Lake Success, New York, the service lacked its own transmission facilities, relying on partnerships with organizations like the BBC and Voice of America. It was not until 1960 that the service began transmitting its own programmes via shortwave, eventually acquiring high-reach facilities in 1963 to broadcast across Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

The service has frequently adapted its mission to meet geopolitical needs. In 1977, the Anti-Apartheid Programme Section was launched to counter South African government broadcasts, producing content in English and five local languages. Later, in 1992, the service expanded into peacekeeping operations, establishing its first in-country facility in Cambodia to support the peace process and electoral activities. Today, these services remain a critical component of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, providing essential information in mission areas such as Mali and South Sudan.

Technological shifts have defined the service's history. Shortwave broadcasts were suspended in 1986 due to rising costs, leading to a reliance on cassette tape distribution, which peaked at 205,000 units in 1997. As digital methods emerged, the service transitioned to internet distribution, mobile applications, and social media. In 2017, United Nations Radio merged with the UN News Centre to form UN News, which now produces multimedia content in nine languages. This modern iteration continues to reach millions, with Chinese-language programming alone reporting an estimated audience of 50 million listeners during Earth Day coverage.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The world's oldest UN agency began by standardizing telegraphy in the nineteenth century.
• How a 1932 radio experiment became a global soft power heavyweight
• Voice of America opened its first German broadcast with a promise to be honest
• How a discarded radio band became the backbone of global communication and propaganda
• From offshore ships to digital waves: the enduring evolution of radio programming
• A teenage vampire navigates the high-stakes world of performing arts and secret identities
• Ultraman is the dark mirror of Superman, a villain defined by strength and selfishness.
• The browser designed for power users who refuse to compromise on features
• How a Hong Kong television network became a global cultural powerhouse for Chinese-speaking audiences.
• How a Russian student project became a battleground for state control and digital influence.
• How a digest-sized magazine became the undisputed authority on the American television landscape
• From personal diaries to global industries, how the vlog reshaped modern digital storytelling

More in Journalism and mass media · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics