United Nations Radio Launches First Multilingual Mobile App

September 26, 2014 – WASHINGTON, D.C. AND NEW YORK – The United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) and AudioNow® Digital, a leading provider of in-language mobile apps for radio broadcasters, today announced that audio content from the United Nations in eight languages is now accessible through UN Radio’s first mobile UN Audio Channels application. UN Audio Channels app is immediately available, free of charge, on the Google Play store and Apple Store. Download the app from any Android or iPhone.

Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary – General Ban Ki-moon, speaking about the UN Audio Channels App:

United Nations Radio produces daily news content in eight languages and weekly programmes in three additional languages. Covering meetings and events at UN Headquarters in New York, UN Radio also produces news features and analyses on a variety of social, political, economic, development and cultural issues involving the UN and its work. Using the new UN Audio Channels app, listeners can now hear UN Radio content from anywhere in the world on a smartphone – including information programmes, news bulletins, feature stories and interviews in the six UN official languages of Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish, as well as in Kiswahili and Portuguese.

Additionally, app users can listen to the daily press briefings and live coverage of the UN General Assembly and Security Council meetings wherever they are – no TV or computer necessary – in the six UN official languages.

“We are excited to expand our partnership with AudioNow by offering our audio content through this new mobile app,” says Ms. Hua Jiang, Acting Director of the News and Media Division at the United Nations. “With one global app offering content in 8 languages, we hope that we can reach more people, bringing UN stories and issues directly to them.”

Through the UN Audio Channels app from AudioNow Digital, listeners have the option of streaming digitally from anywhere in the world or placing an in-app voice call from Brazil, South Africa, Switzerland, and The United States. Listeners can also choose their bandwidth; interact directly with UN Radio through Facebook, Twitter, Weibo, and other social media channels; and hear live meetings as they unfold from New York or Geneva.

“We are honored to launch the very first audio mobile app from the UN and help extend the reach of its programming throughout the world on a pro bono basis in support of their mission,” said Mr. Elan Blutinger, CEO of AudioNow Digital. “This initiative builds on the existing call-to-listen partnership with AudioNow and ensures that UN content is available through any mobile phone.”

Apps from AudioNow Digital create an immersive, two-way experience between broadcasters and their listeners. Features include: one-touch call-to-listen; user control of bandwidth size to manage data costs; direct messaging with stations; sharing through social media; and, push notifications.

For more information about AudioNow® Digital contact Rebecca Walker at 202.621.2223 or Rebecca.walker@audionowdigital.com.

For more information about AudioNow and their collaboration with the UN, please contact Alexandra Moe at alexandra.moe@audionow.com or 202-621-2284.

At the UN, please contact the Partnerships Unit, News and Media Division, DPI at mediapartnerships@un.org or 917-367-5007. You can also visit the UN Multimedia website at http://www.unmultimedia.org/audio_by_phone.html.

About the United Nations

Founded in 1945, the now 193-member United Nations Organization aims to maintain international peace and security; to develop friendly relations among nations; to cooperate in solving international economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems and in promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; and to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in attaining these ends.

About AudioNow® Digital

AudioNow® Digital is a leading provider of highly innovative, in-language mobile apps for radio broadcasters around the world. Our Active AppsSM turn radio into an interactive experience for both listeners and broadcasters, and are designed specifically for listeners in the diaspora and the stations that seek to reach them.