Ever since its conception, people have used radio as an important tool.

Radio, over the course of the 20th century, has saved lives, advertised and entertained. However, today’s technology questions radio’s usefulness.

“I think there [is] a problem getting a lot of people to listen,” said Andrew Mitchell, WNIJ reporter and former Northern Star editor.

Many younger listeners only want to listen to the music, instead of using radio for important news benefits. Because of this, MP3 players are ideal for listeners who don’t want any talk.

“When you’re young all you want to do is listen to the music, but when you get older you realize there is more on the radio,” said Tim Sandoval, junior English major. “My dad is a cop and he’s always listening to AM radio.”

Alison Leshaw, freshman psychology major, agrees talk radio is more of an adult phenomenon.

“I know my grandma listens to the talk show more than the actual music,” Leshaw said.

At one time radio was a primary source of news and entertainment. Today, however, many other options such as TV, CD players, iPods and the Internet, all provide entertainment and news.

Leshaw said MP3 players are more convenient than radio because they only play music listeners are interested in.

Still, radio won’t give in to MP3 players without a fight.

“I like when Q101 started they were on shuffle because it competed with the iPod,” Mitchell said.

Driving with friends, it becomes obvious as soon as a song ends, and talking begins, people are already itching to change the station.

Without advertising radio stations would not exist.

“[Radio stations] need to pay the bill somehow,” Mitchell said.

Technology in some cases, however, does work to advance the radio and revolutionize it to

today’s technology.

Satellite radio is commercial-free and receives its funding directly from listeners who pay a monthly fee.

And the Internet also provides an outlet for radio.

“Podcast is one of the greatest things in the world,” Mitchell said. “Online podcasting being on iTunes is a great way for people to get news conveniently. I think it’s done wonders for radio, at least for public radio.”

Radio should not be overlooked as a reliable source of news. While it has suffered from competition brought on by new technology, it prevails by adapting with podcasts and offering commercial free stations.

No one will put down their MP3 player anytime soon, but they won’t move away from the updated standard of radio.