On Mar. 4, at 8:45 a.m. Central Europe Time (2:45 a.m. EST), around 150 stations across Europe played “Give Peace a Chance,” the anti-war anthem released by John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band in 1969, simultaneously.
Based on an initiative from European Broadcasting Union Member Rundfunk Berlin–Brandenburg (rbb) station radioeins, the symbolic transmission was heard in more than 25 countries on public service broadcasters and commercial stations as a reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.
“The horrors of the war against Ukraine are more apparent every day. Our solidarity, our humanity and our support are needed,” stated Patricia Schlesinger, chair of ARD, the German public service broadcasting organization, and director general of rbb. “It is a good signal seeing Europe’s radio stations join forces to remind us of that with this song. It is a source of strength and urges us not to look the other way.”
[Related: “Russian Broadcasters Leave EBU”]
Speaking on behalf of Ukrainian Radio, Yurii Tabachenko, executive producer for UA: Ukrainian Radio Channel One, said, “UA: Ukrainian Radio thanks its colleagues from the European Broadcasting Union for their support. It is extremely important that today Europe is united around Ukraine.”
EBU Director General Noel Curran said, “We know that throughout its hundred years history, the public have turned to public service media at times of war to inform and unite. This powerful call for peace through an iconic song will resonate with millions of listeners. This is what we do. I’m proud to belong to a community that, when the world has been fractured, can create moments to bring people together.”
