Radio – Still an Important Mode of Communication in the 21 Century Radio is one of the most remarkable invention of the Nineteenth Century. Although it was invented in 1879 by Marconi, the regular, large scale broadcasting of radio started later in the 1920’s. Radio is undoubtedly one of the mothers of invention because it paved ways for further inventions in the field of communication. It transmits its signals in free space through electromagnetic waves. The word ‘Radio’ stands for wireless. Though new technological innovations have left it far behind, its importance as a means of communication cannot be denied. Radio is supposed to be the mother of all the other inventions in the field of communication. Television and Internet has left radio far behind in the race of communicational advancement. In spite of the fact that modern means of communication are used far more nowadays, none of the modern means of communication has replaced it. In the beginning of the twentieth century, radio was basically used to pass orders and important information during war or emergencies. Later on, it was used to broadcast all types of programs too. Radio has successfully served as an important mean of transmitting programs ranging from news to dramas, music, comedy and arts etc. Radio provides access to unlimited information from around the globe. Listening to a radio is much easier and less time consuming than watching television or using any other mode of communication. We do not have to put other things on hold while listening to a radio. Radio can be listened to while driving, walking or even lying on the bed with one’s eyes closed. It is one of the biggest advantages associated with listening to a radio. There is no harm in listening to a radio while driving because it does not divert your attention to a damaging extent. Radio serves as a cheaper way of advertisement for companies trying to market and sell their products or services. Clive Anderson writes in favour of radio and claims that the pictures presented by radio are better than any other means of communication. These pictures do not are the real pictures. He means the emotional touch. Radio provides more emotional involvement. Radio broadcasts on a home scale. Usually one or two hosts talk to their audience in such a way that the program seems to be especially personalized to each listener. Radio programs are categorized on grounds of the taste of the audience and so a huge variety of programs are broadcast to cater for a huge population. The audience feels an emotional connection with the program. Radio not only saves time and money but also physical energy. Less attention is required to grasp audio information than visual. Television, mobile, Wi-Fi, satellite navigation systems and
Radar etc. are all the product of radio technology one way or another. This old invention and its principle are still in use and their importance can’t be denied even in the modern era of technological advancement and innovation. Although only the sound effects are produced by radio, it has a huge impact on the thinking of people because it has a huge reach and people listen to it.