EU Supporting Development Of Community Radio Stations In Mozambique

MAPUTO, May 5 (BERNAMA-NNN-AIM) -- The Mozambican Forum of Community Radios (FORCOM) and the European Union (EU) have signed a co-operation agreement under which FORCOM will receive about US$350,000 for a two-year project aimed at raising political awareness and expanding the spaces for dialogue and the provision of information to citizens in the current electoral and democratic processes.

The agreement was signed here Saturday by the European Commission (EC) Delegate in Mozambique, Paul Malin, and the Executive Director of FORCOM, Benilde Nhalivilo, who disclosed that the project seeks to strengthen awareness so that citizens can make free and conscious choices in elections. Through the community radios, she added, citizens would have a voice in democratic processes.

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(Source :  BERNAMA, Mozambique)

[Australia] Commit To Community Radio Campaign Officially Relaunched

The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia has officially announced the relaunch of their Commit to Community Radio campaign in the wake of last week’s Commission of Audit, which endorsed the abolition of all federal funding for the Community Broadcasting Program.

The Commission of Audit’s recommendation has put the future of Australian community radio — an essential resource for providing a voice for communities that are otherwise inadequately serviced by the media, such as Indigenous Australians, ethnic communities, and Australian youth — at risk.

As the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia write, there is less than five days to ensure the federal government does not cut funding to community radio in their upcoming budget and are beseeching the public to help show the government how big a mistake cutting funding would be.

To get involved, head over to the Commit to Community Radio site to email Treasurer Joe Hockey, as well as the Communications and Finance Ministers, and call on them to ensure cuts to community broadcasting aren’t included in the federal budget, and forward the link to your friends.

You can also spread the word by adding the Commit to Community Radio email signature to your emails, or getting active on social media over at the Commit to Community Radio Facebook page and sharing the page’s graphics and info to help spread the word that while modest, the federal government’s funding is crucial to community radio’s ongoing operation and development.

(Source : MusicFeeds, Australia)

Australia needs community radio

The Commission of Audit says there is little point in funding it but, besides its value to its listeners, how else are tomorrow's broadcasters supposed to learn their trade?

Last week, the federal government’s Commission of Audit report recommended there was no longer much point in funding community radio. When this annual call strikes up, the detractors cry: “It’s tired, it’s over, the model is done. Quit giving them cash.”

The same people often snigger when imagining a community radio announcer. Let’s call him Crispin. In their minds, Crispin sits in a dark studio in faded brown corduroy trousers, shiny at the knees, broadcasting to three like-minded souls. He plays Horst Janowski’s A Walk In The Black Forest on repeat and his stale breath smells of Nescafe Blend 43 from the communal kitchen. With three sugars, thanks.

For most community radio stations in Australia today, this cliche couldn’t be further from the truth. It hasn’t been for years. But nor are they living high on the hog, siphoning their funding into extravagant lunches while quaffing champagne and taking kickbacks.

More at The Guardian

(Source : http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/may/07/australia-needs-community-radio)

World Radio Day 2014: Sponsor need to run this blog

If you wish to sponsor this blog just drop me a line at the comment column.



Moderator

Good bye my fellow DX-er and distinguish radio hobbyists!

First of all I’d like to show my heartfelt GRATITUDE and special thanks to my fellow DX-er, distinguish radio hobbyists as well as visitor of my blog for their very kindest supports, cooperation and encouragements. I am so happy that my blog has exceeded 100 thousand hit in a short time. Without your help and love it would not possible.

You may notice that since last few months I was totally inactive to update my blog. Due to some personal problems and some financial limitations it is not possible for me to run this blog. I apologize to each and everyone for any inconveniences. I can’t express my real felling that how upset I am to write this post. I have been listening short-wave radio since my childhood (almost two and half decade). Radio is always my best companion. I will never forget it. I consider short-wave radio is my blood. 

I had tried my level best to bring most up-to-date, accurate and important news on broadcasting industry. But my special interest was to community radio that speaks about the peoples of voiceless. I also tried to discover such information those are seen a little bit in the mainstream media and let the peoples who love radio and supports radio.

Thanks you and Good Bye!

I wish a great and enjoyable life for every human being.

Kindest regards,

AAAA

Moderator

RadioWatch

azizulalam73@gmail.com

Lake County, USA: Tune in with Lake County

LAKE COUNTY -- Two-way radio communication enthusiasts have the chance to win a President Washington 40 Channel AM and Side Band CB Radio this month.

The Lake County Radio Community (LCRC) is looking for candidates to give away several installed and working radio base stations free-of-cost within the coming months. Desired candidates are people who have time to devote to the hobby, but may not have the necessary funds to purchase a radio.

The radio will come with a microphone, mast, antenna and coax.

LCRC is reaching out to residents on the west side of Clear Lake in towns including Glenhaven, Lucerne, Upper Lake, Lakeport and Kelseyville.

The two-way radio communication hobby was most popular in the 70s and 80s, and has experienced resurgence with base and mobile radio stations popping up around the county.
Candidates do not need to have past experience transmitting, and no license is required.

LCRC will provide hands-on training and provide documentation with each base station put into operation, as required by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC).

With the radio and gear provided, people will be able to talk loudly and clearly throughout the area.
Candidates must be 18 years or older and live on the west side of the lake.

The radio and gear belongs to LCRC and cannot be sold, radio winners may keep them as long they as maintain a consistent transmission. For those who decide to no longer transmit, the gear will be uninstalled free-of-charge and passed along to another candidate. 


 For more information, email dave@rhythmmatters.org with address and phone number, or call 483-4792 and ask for Dave.

(Source: Record-Bee, Lake County, USA)

Seattle, USA: Tiny radio stations to give voice to communities

It doesn't get much more underground than Hollow Earth Radio, operating down a dark hole in the wall in Seattle's Central District. The non-profit, independent radio station puts its uniquely Seattle spin on things.

“The vision of Hollow Earth Radio is to represent Northwest culture and underrepresented voices,” said DJ Jesse Boggs, in between songs on his daily show.

In a world where people are forced to consume corporate media, independent voices like those at Hollow Earth are largely silent. Now, however, comes a rare opportunity to take over the airwaves

In October, the FCC will make the rare move of offering thousands of free licenses to 100 watt, non-profits to run their own radio stations. About eight will be available per zip code in King County.

“You literally can operate it out of your basement,” said Barb Morgen of Seattle’s Brown Paper Tickets, a major supporter of the initiative.

One-hundred watts is enough to power a light bulb and carry a radio signal up to 10 miles. From there, the possibilities are endless.

“It can be issue based. It can be neighborhood based. It's really whatever is important to the community,” said Morgen. “It’s giving the public airwaves back to the public.”

The FCC will start accepting applications in October, but it is an arduous process. The folks at Brown Paper Tickets are willing to help. You can find more information on the Brown Paper Tickets website. 

(Source: King5.com spotted by SCOOPWEB)

Zimbabwe: Young Children Targeted in Radio Raids By the Police

The illegal seizure of wind-up radios reached new levels this week with reports that the police are now using primary school pupils to source information about the receivers.

Villagers in Lupane revealed that the police have been visiting schools and asking little children in Grade 0 and Grade 1(aged between 4 and 6 years) whether their parents own or listen to any radios.

This follows reports that suspected state security agents on Tuesday raided several homesteads at Mpofu village in the Gwampa area and confiscated the wind-up radios.

Speaking to SW Radio Africa one villager who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, said the police have been going to schools, writing down names, and then visiting those suspected of owning the radios by night.

She said although the agents will be wearing civilian clothes, the villagers know it is the police since they have been announcing their ban on radios.

Our source said she suspects the police are aware of the popularity of shortwave radios in the area, hence they are now confiscating them.

"The police have been announcing that villagers should not be in possession of these radios. Their reason is that we listen to news broadcasts from outside the country which criticise ZANU PF.

"Such harassment by the state security agents normally escalates during election time, which indicates that we are not free to exercise our individual choices if we can't even listen to different views offered by these shortwave radio stations," she added.

On Tuesday an MDC official from Mpofu Village, Cosmas Phiri, told the NewsDay newspaper that MDC members were raided shortly before midnight on Monday.

Phiri, who was with some of the affected villagers, told NewsDay that a group of state security agents confiscated at least 10 radios from more than 10 people.

The night raids have stirred up fear within the community, following threats that those who refused to surrender their radio receivers will be abducted and "made to disappear" invoking memories of Gukurahundi.

Since the announcement of the constitutional referendum date on February 15th, Zimbabwean police have embarked on a nationwide campaign targeting civic society organisations and individuals.

On February 19th the police announced a ban on 'specially designed' radios, which they argued will be used to promote hate speech ahead of the polls.

Following the ban several organisations have been raided, including community radio initiative Radio Dialogue where police seized more than 180 wind-up radio sets and arrested its managing editor.

Last month, officers ransacked the offices of poll observers ZESN as well as those of violence monitoring group the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), in search of the so-called "illegal" radios.

The police have since arrested ZPP head Jestina Mukoko and charged her with, among other things, illegally importing short wave radios.

(Source : SW Radio Africa, London via allAfrica.com)

Zimbabwe Police Ban Radios in Run Up to Elections

Police in Zimbabwe on Tuesday, 19 February, 2013 banned the possession of "specially designed radios" and other communication devices on suspicion they are being used to communicate hate speech ahead of Zimbabwe's March referendum and general elections.

Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, told a news conference in Harare that possession and distribution of the devices in question was illegal.

She further accused some political parties of distributing the 'illegal devices' to unsuspecting members of the public with the intention "to sow seeds of disharmony within the country especially now that the country is about to embark on the referendum and harmonised elections".

The ban against the "specially designed radios" and communication devices came in the wake of a police raid on the offices of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) offices in Harare and the southern town of Masvingo.

Although the Zimbabwe Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Zimbabwe) is not certain as to the exact specifications of the "specially designed radios" referred to by Charamba, these, however, could be transistor or portable radios being distributed to enhance citizens' right to access to information especially in remote areas that do not have access to mainstream media.

MISA-Zimbabwe position

MISA-Zimbabwe notes with grave concern the recent move by police to confiscate "communication devices" from the public, which devices according to the State-owned newspaper, The Herald, of Wednesday, 20 February 2013, includes radio sets.

Of particular concern to MISA-Zimbabwe is the lack of clarity on what exactly these "communications devices" that were confiscated were, as well as the lack of clarity on what basis the radio sets or their distribution is also deemed illegal.

MISA-Zimbabwe calls upon the police to specifically state the exact nature of the illegal devices and the relevant laws that criminalise their possession as opposed to arbitrary actions that infringe on constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.

It is not clear as yet, on what basis possession of devices such as radios meant to receive broadcasting services can be deemed illegal as a reading of section 38B of the Broadcasting Services Act states that one is not prohibited from possession of a receiver as long as it is in accordance with the terms and conditions of a listener's licence as issued by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).

The importance of a radio set cannot be over-emphasised as it is a generally affordable gadget used for receiving information by the public. The right to receive and impart information and ideas is enshrined in Section 20 of the current constitution as a vital component of citizens' right to freedom of expression.

This same right is also enshrined in Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and People's Rights of which Zimbabwe is party to.

Access to information is a fundamental part of freedom of expression, which will assist citizens in making informed decisions and choices during the referendum and the forthcoming elections.

It is therefore critical that the police in their efforts to maintain law and order should not unilaterally infringe the public's right to information, especially as the country heads for the referendum and elections.

(Source: Press Release via Media Institute of Southern Africa via allAfrica.com)

Palm Beach, USA: How do you find Jupiter’s little radio station? Look for the antenna in the palm tree!

The antenna for WJTW is attached to a palm tree behind the radio station’s studio in Jupiter. (Bruce R. Bennett/The Palm Beach Post)

While there are several ways to grow a radio station’s audience, not many include fertilizer.

But then, few radio stations use a 70-foot Washingtonian palm tree planted in back of its studio as an antenna pole.

“We try to take good care of that tree,” said Tom Boyhan, the owner of low-power WJTW, 100.3 FM, known as “Jupiter’s Home Town Radio Station.” “Our first one got hit by lightning.”

The palm tree was Boyhan’s workaround of a Town of Jupiter rule prohibiting antennas more than 50 feet tall near residential areas.

With an extra dose of fertilizer and regular watering, a few more listeners each year from Palm Beach Gardens to Hobe Sound might be able to tune in to the station’s mix of local news and nostalgia, with songs that range from ’50s crooners to ’70s soft rock, salted with plenty of show tunes.

“The joke around town is the taller that palm, the better the signal,” said Jennifer Sardone-Shiner, marketing director of Maltz Jupiter Theatre.

On a local radio dial dominated by homogenized super stations with corporate formats devised in board rooms, tiny home-grown WJTW is radio’s artisanal micro-brew.

Instead of “Don’t Touch That Dial” bombast, there’s a handmade quality to the airwaves emanating from this four-room office suite, where the transmitter room is the size of a closet and the production studio doesn’t have soundproofing.

Read More at The Palm Beach Post

(Source : The Palm Beach Post, spotted by SCOOPWEB)