The years between 2006 and 2011 were years of change for Radio Prague. In a move to bring the country’s public finances under control the centre-right government introduced tough austerity measures in the public sector. The Czech Foreign Ministry, which finances Radio Prague from allotted government funds, affected far-reaching budget cuts. In 2010 Radio Prague’s annual budget was slashed by 20 percent compared to the previous year, in 2011 the station was forced to accept a 42 percent cut in funding. As a result Radio Prague gradually reduced its presence on shortwave, cancelling rebroadcasts via shortwave transmitters abroad and in 2010 closing down one of its two shortwave transmitters in Litomyšl. On January 31 st of 2011 Radio Prague was forced to terminate its shortwave broadcasts after 75 years on the air. A quarter of the station’s employees were laid off.
Despite the severe reduction of funds the station was able to maintain its programme content with only minor adjustments. Radio Prague, the international service of Czech Radio and one of its seven channels, continues to produce daily half-hour news and current affairs broadcasts in six languages, targeting foreign listeners, expats and foreigners living in the Czech Republic. One of the programme changes made at the start of the year was the introduction of Radio Prague’s Sunday Music Show profiling Czech singers and bands.
The Internet and new technologies
The termination of shortwave broadcasts boosted the role of new technologies and the Internet which has now become Radio Prague’s main platform. Long-term investment into Radio Prague’s internet presence paid off and we are proud to say that Radio Prague’s web pages register a steady increase in the number of visitors.
(Source : Radio Prague)
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