Everyone here knows about Bell Let's Talk Day, an annual initiative designed to promote mental health. It's certainly a worthy cause although it can get a bit boring when a station like CFRB devotes an entire day to the idea. But at least they give you something to listen to. 

Which brings us around the world to New Zealand and a talk station called Radio Hauraki. On August 9th, the station is pledging to go silent for an entire day in support of men's mental health, with the slogan, "We're not talking, so you can." They've even posted a silent promo for the thing which you can see - and not hear - at the link below. 

It promises "no shows, no ads, no news, no traffic updates and no weather reports."

It's worth supporting I suppose, but really, what's the point? Just carrier current for an entire day? An endless repeating promo about why they're not on the air? How do you even advertise this on your station when the whole point is not to say anything?  And how is not hearing anything going to remind people to talk about this issue? The whole thing, while certainly well intentioned, makes no sense and will simply encourage listeners to turn somewhere else. Radio is all about sound. If all you have is dead air, it's really not radio.

What a weird and dumb - and I'm sorry to say likely not very effective - idea. 

No Talk Day