WTOP first U.S. Station to Receive World Radio Day Award

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, February 12, 2020

WTOP-FM

WTOP/Washington DC was honored this week as the first U.S. station to receive the World Radio Day Award on behalf of The American Academy of Radio in celebration of World Radio Day (February 13).

The award was presented Tuesday to Senior Vice President and General Manager Joel Oxley at WTOP's new headquarters by two members of the jury, Frank Montero, an attorney with Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, and Paul McLane, the editor-in-chief of trade publication Radio World. In making the presentation, McLane said WTOP was chosen in part for its notable success at building and sustaining a media business around core concepts of localism and service to a specific and unique marketplace of listeners. The award recognizes radio stations who embody the power of radio to promote diversity in all its forms, standing as an arena for all voices to speak out, be represented and heard.

"We love the work we do every day in an effort to serve the surrounding community and are so honored to accept this prestigious award from The American Academy of Radio," said Joel Oxley.

The announcement was made by Jorge Álvarez, president of the Spanish Academy of Radio, whose advocacy for World Radio Day helped prompt U.N. recognition of the day. The date of Feb. 13 also marks the anniversary of the founding of United Nations Radio in 1946.

World Radio Day was adopted in 2012 by the United Nations General Assembly, highlighting radio as "a powerful medium for celebrating humanity in all its diversity [that] constitutes a platform for democratic discourse," according to a UNESCO website.

Last year's recipient of the award was Gordon Smith, president/CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, which recognized Smith's help in establishing World Radio Day.