How can radio stations and their wireless communication stations continue to play a unique role in public cultural services within the information dissemination landscape?
Publish Time: 2025-11-24
In the information age dominated by short videos, social media, and algorithmic recommendations, traditional radio seems to be fading from public view. However, as one of the earliest electronic media to achieve mass coverage, radio stations and the wireless communication stations behind them have not disappeared from the historical stage. Instead, they continue to release irreplaceable public cultural value in areas such as emergency communication, grassroots services, and cultural transmission, thanks to their immediacy, companionship, and high reliability.1. Irreplaceable Public Emergency FunctionsThe coverage network built by radio stations and their wireless communication stations possesses extremely strong disaster resistance and emergency response capabilities. When sudden disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and typhoons cause internet or mobile communication outages, FM or medium wave broadcasts can still stably transmit information via radio waves. For example, this characteristic of "being able to listen even when there is no internet" makes radio a core component of the national emergency broadcasting system, highlighting its strategic value as a "lifeline" of public safety.2. Reaching Deeper Roots in Cultural ServicesCompared to new media that rely on smart terminals and internet traffic, radio requires no complex equipment; a radio or even a car stereo can receive the signal, greatly lowering the barrier to information access. In rural areas, remote mountainous regions, among the elderly, and low-income groups, radio remains an important source of information and emotional support. Many local radio stations provide precise services to local residents through dialect programs, agricultural technology lectures, and policy interpretations, promoting rural revitalization and community cohesion. The wide coverage of wireless communication stations ensures that the "last mile" of public cultural services is not overlooked, reflecting information equity and social inclusion.3. The Unique Emotional Connection of Sound MediaRadio, with "hearing" at its core, creates a private and warm sense of companionship. Whether it's the morning news broadcast, midday music time, or late-night emotional hotlines, radio conveys emotions, rhythm, and warmth through sound, building an emotional bond between listeners and the radio station. This "invisible dialogue" is especially precious in today's fast-paced, high-pressure society. Many listeners view radio as a "friend in the background," a low-interference, highly immersive media experience that visually dominated screen media struggles to replicate.4. Innovative Paths in Convergence and TransformationFaced with challenges, radio has not remained stagnant but has actively embraced technological change. More and more radio stations are linking wireless broadcasting with online live streaming, podcasts, and social media, forming a dual-track "air + cloud" dissemination model. Listeners can listen through traditional radios and also watch/listen back and participate in interactive activities via mobile apps. Some stations are also developing audio IPs, creating audiobooks, and integrating into the smart speaker ecosystem, expanding their content boundaries. Wireless communication stations, as basic transmission nodes, are also upgrading to intelligent platforms supporting digital audio broadcasting, improving sound quality and data service capabilities.5. Upholding Public Service and Strengthening Cultural MissionIn a commercial logic where traffic is paramount, radio stations must uphold their original mission of public cultural service. This means reducing excessive entertainment and increasing high-quality original content; avoiding homogeneous competition and cultivating regional cultural characteristics; strengthening public opinion guidance and disseminating mainstream values. The government should also increase investment in wireless communication infrastructure, guarantee broadcast spectrum resources, and support county-level integrated media centers in integrating broadcast resources, enabling them to play a greater role in social governance and cultural development in the new era.While wireless communication stations may no longer be the trendiest medium, they remain the most reliable audio channel. In this age of information overload, their value lies not in vying for attention, but in safeguarding ethical boundaries, conveying warmth, and connecting hearts. As long as humanity needs reliable information, warm companionship, and the roots of culture, broadcasting will never fall silent. It will continue to use radio waves as its pen to write a public cultural chapter shared by all across the vast land.
