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13 FEBRUARY 2013, WORLD RADIO DAYGRER LAUNCHES A CALL FOR SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH   "Encouraging new research into radio is urgent." On the occasion of the first World Radio Day, a UNESCO initiative, on 13 February 2013, GRER (Groupe de Recherches et d’Études sur la Radio) wishes to recognise and support the UNESCO initiative. Through its action from this day forward, GRER wishes to remind the world of the importance of this medium, still the most widely-used in the world, and calls on the research support institutions to respond to this reassertion of the need for research into the medium of radio.GRER is an association which originated in France but became international, which unites a collection of around a hundred specialised researchers working in the French language on studies into the medium of radio. Founded on the initiative of Professor Jean-Jacques Cheval (Université Montaigne – Bordeaux 3), GRER has not ceased to see its efforts bear fruit over the years. This growth in activity demonstrates the growing interest among the university and scientific communities in studies of radio.In effect, contrary to a long-established notion, radio broadcasting is not an old-fashioned medium, and not all that there is to say about it has been said since its so-called 'golden age' from the 1930s to the 1950s. On the contrary: radio has become adaptable, and recent technological evolution now positions this medium on the brink of of a new era in which it is important to understand, in a critical and non-utilitarian way, the socio-political and economic stakes involved, as well as those which are symbolic and cultural."So it seems to be of the utmost urgency that the latest trends in radio research should be seriously supported by the appropriate authorities, so as not to leave the future of this medium in the sole hands of industry and big business," declared the current President of GRER, Professor Frédéric Antoine (Université de Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgique). "Because of this, GRER could not fail to support and encourage the initiative taken in the form of the first UNESCO World Radio Day, and in particular everything relating to the development of research into radio."As the catalyst for numerous conferences and academic presentations, and the force behind several publications, GRER intends to increase its efforts very soon by publishing on-line a 'research dossier' on radio, then by publishing a scientific journal about radio studies, which will be freely accessible on the Internet.In support of this work to revalidate radio research, GRER requests everyone - and particularly researchers - who are interested in this medium and its future to offer their support and to participate.Expressions of support can be made via the GRER Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/greradio ) or by email ( grer.mail@club-internet.fr )Frédéric Antoine, President of GRER ( frederic.antoine@uclouvain.be )&#160;