Radio: a tool for democratisation that stays in fashion

2015 marks the 70th anniversary of UNESCO's International Radio Day, celebrated on 13 February. Theo Mäusli, Professor at the Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), discussed the history of this important medium with TeleTicino, emphasising its central role today.

Over the years, many have speculated that radio might lose its relevance, yet, to date, it has maintained its role as a primary means of communication. "It is often believed that when a new means of communication emerges, previous ones disappear," explained Theo Mäusli. "In the case of radio, for example, many believed it would be replaced by television, but this has not been the case. In fact, radio has a greater chance of survival than other forms of communication because of its unique qualities: it fits easily into our homes, requires minimal economic investment, and doesn't demand the listener's full attention, as it is simply heard rather than watched."

From the point of view of the equipment used, as the USI lecturer explained, today's radio is not very different from the original: "Although the underlying technology is considerably more advanced, radio equipment still relies on a microphone and voice, which contributes to its lightness and simplicity. This simplicity is why amateur radio operators primarily used the first radios developed in the 1920s."

So, what are the differences between modern radio and early radio? "Radio originated from the joy of listening and intercepting frequencies from afar. When the first significant radio programmes were developed, the aim was to provide educational content. There was a strong desire to offer a public service that could elevate the general cultural level, as there were concerns that uninformed masses could be easily swayed by totalitarian regimes, as had occurred with fascism and Nazism."

After all, in its early days, radio was considered a tool to avoid war: "Especially in Germany, in the 1920s, literature frequently referred to the radio as a 'window to the world'. There was a shared hope that it could serve as a tool for democratisation, to the extent that Brecht argued war could no longer occur because hearing the perspectives of neighbouring countries would render propaganda ineffective," explained Theo Mäusli. Early radio, therefore, had an extremely international vision, with an eye also on women. For this very reason, language courses were offered, and Esperanto was taught. This reflected an openness to the outside world, which disappeared a few years later with the rise of Nazism, as pointed out by the USI professor.

The significance of radio continues to be vital today, as emphasised by Theo Mäusli: "Social media creates a fragmented reality, whereas radio provides a unified broadcasting mode that allows for shared experiences."

Theo Mäusli's full interview with TeleTicino is available at the following link. (Italian only)