Radio's Vital Role: From War Zones To Outer Space

Even as the world fixates on ever‑brighter screens and sprawling digital feeds, radio endures with a quiet resilience, shaping how we share experience

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The story explores how radio remains a vital communication tool in conflict zones, disaster response efforts, and even space exploration, providing reliable information and connection where other signals cannot reach. It highlights the enduring role of radio at the United Nations, the rebuilding of radio broadcasting in Gaza, the crucial role of radio for peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the use of radio by amateur operators as national heroes during emergencies. The story also examines how radio is adapting to new technologies like AI and its increasing importance for space communications.

Why it matters

Radio continues to demonstrate its remarkable strength and resilience in a world increasingly dominated by digital media. From providing lifesaving information in conflict zones to enabling space exploration, radio remains an essential communication tool that bridges communities, delivers critical updates, and preserves vital connections, especially in times of crisis or isolation.

The details

The story traces the history of UN Radio, which began broadcasting 80 years ago from modest studios in New York, and evolved into the multimedia platform UN News. It highlights how radio stations like Radio Okapi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Guira FM in the Central African Republic have become trusted voices, providing reliable information and countering hate speech in regions affected by violence and displacement. The story also explores how radio amateur operators in Mexico were recognized as national heroes for their ability to transmit vital information during natural disasters, and how initiatives like Radio Udaan in India are using radio to empower and give voice to the visually impaired community. Additionally, the story examines the growing importance of radio communications for space exploration, with the International Telecommunication Union warning of the need to establish a regulatory framework to manage radio spectrum on the Moon.

  • UN Radio first crackled to life 80 years ago on February 13.
  • On October 7, 2023, every radio station in Gaza was destroyed during a war triggered by Hamas attacks on Israel.
  • Radio Okapi has been a trusted voice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since its creation in 2002 as part of the UN peacekeeping mission there.
  • Radio Udaan, India's first online radio station operated entirely by visually impaired presenters and staff, was launched in 2014.
  • The next conference on the radio regulations at the International Telecommunication Union is scheduled for the end of 2027.

The players

UN Radio

The radio broadcasting arm of the United Nations, which began broadcasting 80 years ago from modest studios in New York, reaching audiences with news bulletins and feature programmes in five languages.

Rami Al‑Sharafi

The director of Zaman FM, a radio station in Gaza that is working to piece broadcasting back together after the destruction of all 23 local radio stations in the territory during a war in 2023.

Radio Okapi

A radio station that has become a trusted voice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since its creation in 2002 as part of the UN peacekeeping mission there, broadcasting in French and four national languages.

Bahati Yohane

A refugee living in the Kyangwali Refugee camp in Uganda, who credits Radio Okapi with providing lifesaving information during escalating violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Jesús Miguel Sarmiento Montesinos

The president of the Mexican Federation of Radio Amateurs, which coordinates the National Emergency Network and whose members were recognized as national heroes following the 1985 earthquake in Mexico.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“To be honest, if there had been no radio to tell us anything about security, we would not be alive in this world today.”

— Bahati Yohane, Refugee (UN News Kiswahili)

“Zaman FM has resumed broadcasting, and we are currently the only radio station transmitting FM frequencies from inside the Gaza Strip after this massive destruction.”

— Rami Al‑Sharafi, Director of Zaman FM (UN News Arabic)

“When people want to be sure that information is true, they often turn to Radio Okapi.”

— Bukavu resident (UN News French)

“Radio Okapi plays a key role in promoting peace by broadcasting information that is reliable and impartial.”

— Bukavu resident (UN News French)

“They turned copper wires into antennas, used their equipment and batteries, and immediately began transmitting, reporting on the situation in the affected areas, the extent of the flooding, and whether the areas were accessible or inaccessible.”

— Jesús Miguel Sarmiento Montesinos, President, Mexican Federation of Radio Amateurs (UN News Spanish)

What’s next

For the next conference on the radio regulations at the International Telecommunication Union, scheduled for the end of 2027, a regulatory framework for radio spectrum management on the moon will be discussed to balance the need for communication links and the need to protect the spectrum for scientific purposes.

The takeaway

Radio's enduring role in shaping how we share experience, from conflict zones to disaster response to space exploration, underscores its remarkable resilience and importance as a simple yet powerful form of communication that can inform, protect, and unite communities in ways that more advanced technologies cannot always replicate.