On September 7, 2019 I sat in a window less room – no, it wasn’t a
SCIF. It was the Radio Room for my local Red Cross Chapter. For the first time ever,
the region was conducting a test to see which chapter could communicate with other
chapters.
This experience helped my belief that radio is often overlooked
and that while Social Media may dominate mindshare, there are other ways to
communicate and influence. Radio has served three major roles.
1.
Radios in Emergencies
While the above noted test was in the planning stages for a while,
I could help but think of the timing of this test with two other interesting
radio developments. The first was the importance of Ham Radio in communications
and supporting relief efforts associated with Hurricane Dorian hitting the
Bahamas (see: http://bit.ly/2kqzKmT). Ham
Radio has long been an important communications resource during emergencies.
For background you can check out the Domprep Journal article “Ham Radio in Emergency”
2.
Radios as a Secret Message Medium
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) was very active in WWII
broadcasting and information and as revealed in article on 3 September 2019,
they also had an important role in transmitting instructions via ‘personal messages.
(See: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49562570,
which is also a photo source). This particular article details how the BBC used
music and coded messages to transmit instructions across Europe from Poland to
France. For example, the article noted that “On
the night of 5 June 1944, the eve of D-Day, the phrase "Berce mon coeur
d'une langueur monotone" or "cradle my heart with a monotonous
languor" signaled the invasion was about to begin.”
3.
Radios As an Influencer
On September 7, 2019 the NY Times also ran an article: Radio Free
Europe (RFE) Is Set to Be Revived in Hungary (see: https://nyti.ms/2kzqLzG which is also a
photo source). This article actually focuses on the US Agency for Global Media.
While the Agency is independent and not subject to political
influence. Here’s a look at them in their own words:
·
The mission of United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) is to
inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and
democracy.
·
The Agency’s mission is reinforced by those of the individual
broadcasters that are overseen by USAGM.
·
USAGM networks
are news leaders, uncovering stories left untold in environments that lack
press freedom. Major media often pick up or cite our networks’ news coverage.
We serve 345 million in 100 countries and 60 languages every week.
·
Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty’s mission is to promote democratic values and institutions by reporting
the news in countries where a free press is banned by the government or not
fully established. Our journalists provide what many people cannot get
locally: uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate.
·
Radio Free
Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is a private, nonprofit, multimedia broadcasting
corporation that serves as a surrogate media source in 26 languages and in 23
countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and Ukraine. (see: https://www.usagm.gov/networks/rferl/,
another photo source)
While Social
Media continues to dominate people’s thoughts, let’s not forget that there are
other means of influence that should not be overlooked or taken for granted.
