Clandestine Radio Watch 183
--------------xxxxxxxxxx CRW 183 xxxxxxxxxx--------------
CLANDESTINE RADIO WATCH 183
May 31, 2005
CRW is the biweekly online magazine for ClandestineRadio.com (CRC), the
Web's only portal on clandestine broadcasting and subversive media.
CRW : http://www.schoechi.de/crw.html
http://www.ClandestineRadio.com/crw/
CRC : http://www.ClandestineRadio.com
GCW : http://www.ClandestineRadio.com/gcw/
Editor of CRW : Martin Schöch, Eisenach, East Germany
Editor of CRC : Nick Grace, Washington, DC, USA
Editor of GCW : Richard Lafayette, Stillwater, MN, USA
------------xxxxxxxxxx Breaking News xxxxxxxxxx----------------
ZIMBABWE : SW Radio Africa Closure?
VIETNAM : New target broadcast for Vietnam: Radio Hoa-Mai
COLOMBIA : La Voz de la Resistencia active (see: logs)
SOMALIA : New Clandestine Program Tests to Somaliland (see: logs)
...............................................................
ZIMBABWE : SW Radio Africa Closure?
SW Radio Africa Closure?
By Staff Reporter New Zimbabwe
Last updated: Mon May 23 2005 07:37:22
AN AWARD-WINNING Zimbabwean radio station in exile on Sunday warned it
could be forced to close down by the end of this month if pledges of
donor funds are not delivered, its manager said.
In April, the Vienna-based International Press Institute (IPI) awarded SW
Radio Africa, which broadcasts to Zimbabwe on shortwave from London, the
2005 "Free Media Pioneer" prize for being a "voice to the voiceless".
The radio will receive the price on Tuesday at the end of the ongoing IPI
general assembly in the Kenyan capital.
"If the funds promised by our donors do not arrive before the end of the
month, we will be forced to stop our activities," said Gerry Jackson, the
founder and manager of radio.
However, it was not clear how much money the exiled station needed in
order to continue operating.
Jackson, a Zimbabwean journalist, set up the station in December 2001
after being forced to leave Zimbabwe following the closure of an
independent station he set up after being fired from a public radio
station.
According to IPI, the radio, which has nine employees in London, "remains
a rare independent voice" in Zimbabwe.
The Harare government regularly jammed broadcasts in the months before
the March legislative election, and continued after them, according to
the press watchdog, which also in its report in March chided the Southern
African nation for limiting press freedom.
Previous winners of the prize, created in 1996, include the Russian NTV
television station and the Serbian B-92 radio station.
http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/Zimbabwe/0,,2-11-1662_1709110,00.html
(May 23, 2005 via A.Gupta-IND in BCL-News-ML)
also via (?? May 23, 2005 via H.Johnson-FL-USA in CDX-ML)
also via http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/fm8.12675.html
(via A.Bigley-CAN in DXLD 5-086)
SW RADIO AFRICA SHOULD BE SAVED
By Rita Bhebhe Last updated: 05/27/2005 13:49:58
http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/fm10.12696.html
I HAVE been reading media reports that SW Radio Africa is going to
shut down if pledges by donors are not honoured.
This honestly cannot be allowed to happen. The fact that Robert Mugabe’s
regime invested over £30 million in two Chinese built transmitters at
Thornhill Airbase to block their broadcasts into Zimbabwe speaks volumes
about their effectiveness. It is testimony to how threatened they felt
over the station's uncensored, free-flowing broadcasts.
We now have two dedicated internet radio sations in Affro Sounds and the
recently launched SAR FM in New York but to be honest, Robert Mugabe will
not lose sleep over these. Why? They are targetting fairly rich middle
class people in the diaspora who can afford computers and broadband
connections. If you are already in the diaspora you can’t vote or
demonstrate in Zimbabwe and Mugabe will not worry over your activities.
Power in our country now resides in the rural areas. These are giving by
hook or crook the majority of votes for Mugabe’s tattered legitimacy in
elections. We have a serious rural-urban divide that needs bridging and
the internet is certainly out of tangent.
This is what makes SW Radio Africa clearly effective. Their Shortwave
transmissions are reaching people in the rural areas and really fostering
a change of allegiance in the mentality of the rural people. Mugabe
always does his home work, and reports were filtering in that the station
founded in September 2001 has in the past four years been steadily
penetrating the rural areas while simultaneously updating the urban
dwellers on daily breaking news. If as is being predicted, the station is
closed down, what hope does Zimbabwe have? What is the use of funding
NGO’s, newspapers and internet radio stations that target an already
informed audience who are already supporting the opposition anyway?
"Is the world admitting China is now the superpower and spreading its
repressive tentacles around the world? Where are the so-called super
powers in this?" RITA BHEBHE [sidebar]
With two jamming devices installed by Mugabe, SW Radio Africa has to
broadcast on at least three or more frequencies to reach Zimbabweans.
This, broadcasting fundis will tell you is a very costly exercise
requiring close to hundreds of thousands of pounds. Although I understand
they can still broadcast on Medium Wave which is not currently being
jammed, I am assuming their money has already been exhausted by the
multiple frequency broadcasts courtesy of the Chinese intervention. I
call on all the donors who are involved in helping Zimbabwe to please
stand up and support effective projects. Mugabe has already shown us this
project is effective so why are they not pushing saving it?
Is the world admitting China is now the superpower and spreading its
repressive tentacles around the world? Where are the so-called super
powers in this? How do you spread democracy by misdirecting resources?
Are we so blind to see what is needed? I was just thinking today how we
could change things if every Zimbabwean in the diaspora donated one US
dollar to the station. In our millions, we could have the station run on
for another year. I suggest the station has to open up such an account
and see how we will respond. I am personally prepared to put up 50 US
dollars as the opening donation and challege everyone in the diaspora to
respond.
The diaspora just has to lead the way for Zimbabweans back home.
Broadcasting is the key to power back home, this is why Mugabe has
viciously defended ZBC’s monopoly for 25 years. It just has to be broken
by an independent Zimbabwean radio station. We in our wisdom or lack of
it are letting slip one of the few remaining voices capable of delivering
change. The irony of it all is that SW Radio Africa wins the Free Media
Pioneer Award 2005 from the International Press Instititute (IPI) and
then closes a few days later. Are we being serious? How the mandarins in
Zimbabwe will celebrate! I say no, this is a serious development in our
fight for democracy. --- Bhebhe is in the Media Studies Department at the
John Moore University in Liverpool
TO LISTEN TO SW RADIO AFRICA: http://www.swradioafrica.com
JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
http://newzim.proboards29.com/index.cgi?
(via A.Bigley-USA DXLD 5-089)
...............................................................
VIETNAM : New target broadcast for Vietnam: Radio Hoa-Mai
New target broadcast for Vietnam: Radio Hoa-Mai
The KWHR online schedule at
http://www.whr.org/index.cfm?fa=schedule&Search=Angel3 reveals a new
target broadcast with political background for Vietnam, called "Radio
Hoa-Mai". Website: http://www.radiohoamai.com and
http://www.radiohoamai.org . The prgr is aired Sat/Sun 1330-1400 on
11555.
(B.Trutenau-LTU May 30, 2005 in CDX-ML)
Self-Introduction: Radio Hoa-Mai
We are a Vietnamese language radio station based in California, USA.
We have two programs serving the people in Vietnam and Overseas
Vietnamese Communities as well.
The Web Air program serves as Internet Radio.
The Shortwave serves short wave programs into Vietnam.
Both programs are aimed to help promoting democracy and developments in
Vietnam.
We would appreciate if you could list our station name on your web site.
Name: RADIO HOA-MAI
URL: www.radiohoamai.com
Email: radio@hoamai.org
Contact: Miss Ngoc-Anh Trinh
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
NgocAnh Trinh
Program Director
(Radio Hoa-Mai May 31, 2005 for CRW)
New target broadcast for Vietnam: Radio Hoa-Mai (summary)
The target prgr "Radio Hoa-Mai" (Sat/Sun 1330-1400 via KHWR on 11555) is
hosted by Nguyen Cong Bang of the Hoa-Mai Club, the Club's website is
http://www.nvnp.org . Email address for the host: congbang@nvnp.org,
Postal address: P.O. Box 4175, Garden Grove, CA 92842-4175, USA. Quote
from the website: "Hoa-Mai Club is a dedicated selective group of
Vietnamese compatriots and friends from around the world, who have joined
together for a commitment of promoting the process of democratization and
development of Vietnam." The radio prgr's website is
http://www.radiohoamai.com and http://www.radiohoamai.org .
(B.Trutenau-LTU May 31, 2005 in DXplorer-ML)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Schedules xxxxxxxxxx--------------------
Schedules - ERITREA
Voice of Liberty
Additional txion for Voice of Liberty Eritrea in Tigrigna/Arabic
0600-0700 Fri(+Wed/Sun) on 15675 ARM 250 kW / 188 deg to EaAf
(R BUL Observer 365 May 27, 2005 via W.Büschel-D for CRW)
...............................................................
Schedules - ETHIOPIA
Tensae Ethiopian Voice of Unity
New schedule for Tensae Ethiopian Voice of Unity in Amharic:
1500-1600 Sun-Fri (ex Sun only) on 15660 SAM 250 kW / 199 deg to EaAf
(R BUL Observer 365 May 27, 2005 via W.Büschel-D for CRW)
...............................................................
Schedules - VIETNAM
Radio Free Vietnam
Acc. to the TDP online schedule, the TDP brokered "Radio Free Vietnam"
transmissions (Mon-Fri 1230-1300) have moved to 11555 (via KWHR Hawaii,
100kW).
(B.Trutenau-LTU May 30, 2005 in DXplorer-ML)
R.Free Vietnam now on 11555: and World Harvest Radio schedule shows that
also time should have changed: now 1130-1200.
(M.Ritola-FIN May 30, 2005 in DXplorer-ML)
... indeed (though not yet shown in the TDP online schedule), confirmed
by IBB RMS recordings which present Mandarin at 1230-1300 on 11555.
(B.Trutenau-LTU May 30, 2005 in DXplorer-ML)
... and ILG shows WHR Vietnamese 11555 since Apr 3
Sun-Thu 1130-1200
Fri-Sat 1330-1400
(W.Büschel-D May 30, 2005 in DXplorer-ML)
See http://www.whr.org/index.cfm?fa=schedule&Search=Angel3
for the (presumably) most recent schedule on 11555.
For the 1330-1400 block it shows the religious prgr "Heavenly Life" in
Mandarin Mon-Fri and a new Vietnamese prgr called "Hoa-Mai Radio" on
Sat/Sun; the 1130-1200 block shows "Radio Free Vietnam" Mon-Fri, and an
English prgr on Sat/Sun.
Hoa-Mai Radio is a new target broadcast for Vietnam with political
background, website: http://www.radiohoamai.com .
(B.Trutenau-LTU May 30, 2005 in DXplorer-ML)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Logs xxxxxxxxxx-------------------------
Logs - AFGHANISTAN
Radio Free Afganistan
17600 kHz 21/5. R.Free Afganistan,13:35-13:45, Dari, locutor, Nx sobre
las fotografias de Sadam, Mx sintonia, ID, locutora con titulares y Mx de
fondo. SINPO 44444.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 21, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
15090 kHz 22/5. R.Free Afganistan, 13:33-13:45, Dr, locutor, Mx sintonia,
titulares con Mx de fondo, Nx, corresponsal, SINPO 55433.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 22, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
17685 kHz 22/5. R.Free Afganistan, 11:58-12:08, Dr, locutora, Nx sobre
Afganistan, locutor, reportaje por corresponsal, Mx local. SINPO 55444.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 22, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
17685 kHz 28/5. R.Free Afganistan, 12:10-12:15, Dari, locutor con
entrevista e invitados, SINPO 55444.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 28, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
19010 kHz 28/5. R.Free Afganistan, 12:15-12:20, Dari, locutor con
entrevista, en paralelo por 17685 kHz, SINPO 45433.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 28, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - ASIA
Radio Free Asia
7450 kHz 21/5. R.Free Asia (tentativa), 19:20-19:25, M, fuerte jaming.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 21, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
7460 kHz 27/5. R.Free Asia, 20:56-21:05, K, Mx sintonia, locutor, ID, Mx,
comentarios, locutora, Nx, SINPO 44343.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 27, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - CHINA
Voice of Tibet
17520 kHz 21/5. Voz del Tibet, 14:30-14:35, Tb, tentativa, Mx sintonia e
irrumpe con fuerza seNal de jaming. SINPO 34332.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 21, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
17525 kHz 21/5. Voice of Tibet (tentativa), 12:35-12:40, Mandarin, Mx
local, Jaming fuerte. SINPO 33322.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 21, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - COLOMBIA
La Voz de la Resistencia
F.A.R.C. active on SW : FARC's radio station La Voz de la Resistencia is
active. Very distorted signal on three channels:
around 5880, 6000 and 6120 kHz impossible to listen in SSB. Best signal
on around 6120. Close down 2313 UTC saying they will be back friday 2230
UTC.
(B.Malm-EQA May 26, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
Following Björn Malm`s tip yesterday, I looked for FARC Voz de la
Resistencia Friday May 27 around 2300 on 6120, 6000 and 5880 kHz. This is
still long before sunset and lots of summer QRN here, no strong signals
in yet on 49m, even from NAm sites. Nothing audible on 6120 or 5880. On
6000 RHC was audible with Fidel, // 11760 but audio between them
separated by milliseconds of reverb. LA clands appearing on 6000
certainly seem suspicious, in this case, as with Radio Insurgente, but
there has never been any confirmation that Habana is actually involved in
either. If I were picking a frequency for my own station, however, it
would not be 6000 as long as Habana is on it! But I must admit that there
was a subaudible het on 6000 and traces of some other audio under RHC, I
have no idea what. Seems unlikely a jungle transmitter would have that
kind of accuracy.
(G.Hauser-USA May 27, 2005 for DXLD-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - CUBA
Radio Martí
11930 kHz 20/5. R.Martí, 22:25-22:35,Es, ID, locutora,noticias sobre el
huracan Adrian y de los desaparecidos en Chile. SINPO 44433.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 20, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
...............................................................
Log - EASTERN EUROPE
Radio Liberty
9520 kHz 21/5. R.Liberty, 19:45-19:50, R, locutor, Nx con referencias a
Ucrania. SINPO 43343.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 21, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
9690 kHz 21/5. R.Liberty, 19:51-19:58, R, locutor,locutora, Nx, emitiendo
en paralelo por 9520, referencias a Ucrania, Mx, ID "Radio Slovoda",
frecuencias y web, Mx sintonia. SINPO 55555
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 21, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
17670 kHz 21/5. R.Liberty, 14:00-14:10, Tj, ID, locutor, Nx sobre
Afganistan, locutora con Nx internacionales. SINPO 54454.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 21, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
11705 kHz 24/5. R.Free Europe/R.Liberty, 17:12-17:20, Avar, locutor,
locutora, ID, noticias, seg. Mx, SINPO 55555.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 24, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
11705 kHz 24/5. R.Free Europe/R.Liberty, 17:20-17:32, checheno, locutor,
locutora, ID, Nx, web y frecuencias, Mx sint., SINPO 54454
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 24, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
12045 kHz 24/5. R.Free Europa/R.Liberty, 17:32-17:40, checheno, locutor,
comentarios. SINPO 54444.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 24, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
5955 kHz 27/5. R.Liberty, 20:16-20:20, Ru, locutor, noticias,
comentarios, SINPO 33442.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 27, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
15205 kHz 28/5. R.Liberty, 12:20-12:25, ruso, locutora con comentarios,
referencias a Ucrania, tertulia con invitados, SINPO 45443.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 27, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
17730 kHz 28/5. R.Liberty, 10:14-10:19, Ru, locutor con comentarios,
SINPO 44433.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 28, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - ERITREA
Dejen Radio
12120 kHz 21/5. Dejen radio, 17:12-17:30, Tigrina, locutor, comentarios,
canto coranico,seNal debil hasta el extremo de desvanecerse, SINPO 33322.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 21, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
Contrary to the schedule published on TDP site (www.airtime.be), Dejen
Radio didn't sign off at 1800 today. It still continues at 1815.
Frequency is 12120 kHz.
(D.Mezin-RUS May 28, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
12120 kHz 28/5. Dejen Radio, 17:00-17:15, tigrina, locutor, presentación,
canto popular folklorico sin musica, comentarios, seg.Mx, SINPO 44333.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 28, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
Voice of Delina
15660 kHz 28/5. Voice of Delina, 15:00-15:05, tigrina, Mx sintonia, ID,
presentación, Mx local, SINPO 43242.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 28, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
Voice of Democratic Eritrea
15690 kHz 21/5. V.o.Democratic de Eritrea, 15:00-15:15, Arabic,ID, Mx
sintonia, locutor, Nx, comentarios con referencias a la democracia, Mx
pop local. SINPO 55544.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 21, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
15670 kHz 26/5. V.o.Democratic de Eritrea, 17:30-17:46, arabic, Mx sint.,
presentación con seg. Mx, locutor, comentarios sobre la dictadura de
Eritrea, democracia para Eritrea, SINPO 55444.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 26, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
15690 kHz 28/5. Voice of Democratic de Eritrea, 15:05-15:29, tigrina,
locutor con comentarios, referencias a la democracia, America, Europa,
Canada y Australia, Mx folklorica local, Mx sintonia, SINPO 55555.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 28, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - ETHIOPIA
Radio Voice of ENUF (p)
12120 Radio Voice of ENUF (p), with transmission for Ethiopia from
Armovir transmitter site, 1736-1746, May 29, Amharic, Long talk in
vernacular for male, 23432
(A.L.Slaen-ARG May 29, 2005 in ListaConDig-ML)
Radio Xoriyo (Radio Freedom)
15670 May 31 1630-1659 SOMALIA: R.Xoriyo. Clandestina (Via Jülich,
Alemania), Somalí, Mx sintonia, ID por locutor, anuncian radio Xoriyo por
internet, canto del Corán, comentarios, Nx con titulares y seg.Mx,
referencias a Oromo, Ogaden y Somalia, Nx sobre Sudán y Ethiopia, Mx
folklorica local, SINPO 55454.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 31, 2005 in Frecuencia-DX)
Tensae Ethiopia Voice of Unity
15660 Tensae Ethiopia (p), Voice of Unity, via Samara (TGP), 1649-1700,
May 28, Vernacular, short announcements by male, vernacular music,
constant drum sound, at 1652 talk by male (several mentions to
"Ethiopia"), at 1659 ann. a electronic address. Drum sounds and s/off.,
34443
(A.Slaen-ARG May 28, 2005 in DXplorer-ML)
15660 Tensae Ethiopia (p), Voice of Unity, via el centro retransmisor de
Samara (TGP), 1649-1700, Mayo 28, Vernacular, anuncios breves por OM con
musica tribal de fondo con permanente sonido de tambores, a 1652
comentario por OM (muchas menciones a Ethiopia), sobre las 1659 se
anuncia una direccion de correo electronico, sonido de tambores y cierre
de la transmision, 34443
(A.L.Slaen-ARG May 28, 2005 in ListaConDig-ML)
Voice of Oromo Liberation
12120 kHz 19/5. R.V.o.Oromo Liberation Frond, 17:00-17:10, oromo,
presentación con seg. Mx de fondo, locutor, locutora, noticias. SINPO
34332.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 19, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
15670 kHz 20/5. V.o.Oromo Liberatión, 17:25-17:30, oromo,locutor con
comentarios, referencias a Oromo, Mx local, despedida con musica de
sintonia,anuncian proximo programa en amharic. SINPO 55343
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 20, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
15670 kHz 20/5. V.o.Oromo Liberatión, 17:30-17:50, Amharic, locutor
presentacion, Mx sintonia, noticias sobre Oromo, Mx local,comentarios
sobre democracia para Oromo. SINPO 55544.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 20, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
Voice of Oromo Liberation Front via Samara, Russia. May 23 at 1700 (S/on)
-1729(S/off). SINPO 34333. Opening music and ID at 1700 as "...Raiyoo
Sagalee Qabsoo Bilisummaa Oromoo." Male talk in Oromo and African songs.
(I.Nagatani-J May 23, 2005 in JAP 370)
15670 May 31 1700-1729 ETHIOIA: V.o.Oromo de Liberación. Clandestina,
(Via Jülich, Alemania), Oromo, Mx sintonia con ID, horarios y
frecuencias, locutor, locutora, comentarios, referencias a Oromo y
Oromia, seg.Mx local, entrevista, SINPO 45443.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 31, 2005 in Frecuencia-DX)
...............................................................
Logs - IRAN
Radio Farda
9540 kHz 21/5. R.Farda, 19:50-19:55, Fs, locutor, comentarios, locutora,
ID, SINPO 43443.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 21, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
15375 kHz 21/5. R.Farda, 13:30-13:35, farsi, ID,locutor, Mx pop local,
comentarios, locutora Nx. SINPO 54454.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 21, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
17750 kHz 21/5. R.Farda, 14:10-14:15, farsi, ID, locutor, Px, Mx local.
SINPO 54444
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 21, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
15290 kHz 22/5. R.Farda, 09:18-09:28, Fs,ID "Radio Farda", locutora, Mx
de Julio Iglesias, frecuencias y cu?a publicitaria. SINPO 55343.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 22, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
15690 kHz 22/5. R.Farda, 09:46-09:55, Fs, ID, locutora, comentarios y
entrevista, seg. Mx,locutor con ID "Radio Farda" y seg. Mx, Mx pop local.
SINPO 44333.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 22, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
17755 kHz 22/5. R.Farda, 13:15-13:20, Fs, ID "R.Farda", Mx pop local,
SINPO 55433
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 22, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
9960 kHz 23/5. R.Farda, 20:00-20:35, Farsi, programa musical, locutor y
locutora con cu?a de identificación, ID "Radio Farda", Mx pop local,
noticias. SINPO 54444.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 23, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
7190 kHz 27/5. R.Farda, 20:50-20:55, Fs, locutora con tertulia y varios
invitados, comentarios, SINPO 54554.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 27, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
15375 kHz 28/5. Radio Farda, 12:05-12:10, Fs, Mx pop local, ID "Radio
Farda", frecuencias y dir. web, SINPO 54554.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 28, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
15690 kHz 28/5. R.Farda, 10:20-10:30, Fs, prog. Mx pop y Mx local, ID,
cu?as de la emisora, SINPO 55444.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 28, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - KURDISTAN
Dengue Mesopotamia
11530 kHz 28/5. Dengue Mesopotamia, 08:43-08:50, Ku, Mx pop local, SINPO
33443.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 28, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - MALDIVES
Minivan Radio
12015 kHz 21/5. Minivan Radio,16:40-16:45, vernacular,
locutor,comentarios. SINPO 33332.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 21, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
12015 kHz 28/5. Minivan Radio, 16:44-16:59, Dh, locutor con comentarios,
locutora con ID y frec., Mx, SINPO 44443.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 28, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
12015 May 31 1606-1629 MALDIVES: Minivan Radio. Clandestina (Via Jülich,
Alemania), Dhivehi, locutora con comentarios, Mx folklorica local,
locutor con comentarios, ID, cuña de la emisora, SINPO 33342.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 31, 2005 in Frecuencia-DX)
...............................................................
Logs - MYANMAR
Democratic Voice of Burma
9435, Democratic Voice of Burma via Juelich, 2351-0029* May 24, man with
long talk in Burmese language followed by brief musical interlude and
more long talks. Closing ID and announcements by a woman over a vocal
selection. Good signal.
(R.D´Angelo-PA-USA May 24, 2005 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - SOMALIA
Radio Horyaal
12130 kHz 19/5. R.Horyaal, 17:40-17:50,somalí,locutor con seg. miting con
publico, gritos y aplausos. SINPO 54444.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 19, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
12130 kHz Radio Horyaal via Samara, Russia. May 22 at 1730 (S/on)- 1759
(S/off). SINPO 35333. ID with opening music at 1730, then Koran
recitation. Male talk in Somali from 1732.
(I.Nagatani-J May 22, 2005 in JAP 370)
12130 kHz 23/5. R.Horyaal, 17:30-17:45,somalí, ID, locutor,presentación,
canto coranico, locutora, Mx sintonia, entrevista por telefono. SINPO
55433.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 23, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
12130 kHz 28/5. Radio Horyaal, 17:30-17:45, So, locutor, ID,
presentación, canto coranico, comentarios, frecuencias, SINPO 55444.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 28, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
12130 May 31 1730-1745 SOMALIA: R.Horyaal. Clandestina, (Via Samara,
Rusia), Somalí, Mx sintonía, locutor con presentación, canto del Corán,
locutora, comentarios, ID "Radio Horyaal", SINPO 44333.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 31, 2005 in Frecuencia-DX)
New Clandestine Program Tests to Somaliland
Went and checked the TDP site http://www.airtime.be/schedule.html and
don't see anything about a new transmission there YET; however the 15650
frequency would seem like it's a possibility there via a Russian
transmitter site. At any rate, I'll be listening prior to 1730 to see if
the telltale Russian test tones show up on 15650.
(S.Lare-MI-USA May 27, 2005 for DXLD-ML)
Re: '15650 test to Somaliland on Friday, May 27, 2005' : Presumably this
one. Carrier on just before 1730 May 27, HoA intro mx, anmt by gal,
AR-style singing by man, then talk by woman, man, interview. Signal
fadey, not very strong, not enough to ID.
(J.Berg-MA-USA May 27, 2005 in DXplorer-ML)
Re: 15650 : Was about S7 by 1758 w/Arabic talk by OM. Pulled plug in
mid-sentence at 1759.
(J.Strawman-IA-USA May 27, 2005 in DXplorer-ML)
Re: 15650 : No test tone procedure noted here, more the SUDDENLY crash
start of DTK
Juelich site happened. Very weak signal here in the dead zone SoGermany,
360 km south of Juelich tx site. Couldn't even start the mp3 recording
properly ...
(W.Büschel-D May 27, 2005 in DXplorer-ML)
NEW Somali, cland being heard on 15650 at 1740. Lots of AA songs. Signal
reception is good. Transmission site not likely in Africa ,DW Rwanda nor
Madagacar RN, nor an eastern Russia relay. Possible Central Europe site
for this transmission?.
(D.Pringle-Wood-ZWE May 27, 2005 for DXLD-ML)
"No test tone procedure noted here, more the SUDDENLY crash start of DTK
Juelich site happened." Yes! 9+60 here in south Italy, tipical DTK
modulation and signal. Abrupt s/off now, at 1757.
(R.Scaglione-I May 27, 2005 for DXLD-ML)
When I tuned in at 1731 with Qur`an (isn`t there enough of that on SW
already?!), 15650 was surprisingly good here, so I doubt Russian site,
more likely UK or Germany. At 1739 recheck was in presumed Somali talk,
better signal but deep fades; if I understood the language it would have
been quite readable. 1744 some yelling for a few minutes; 1752 HoA music,
some more talk which was cut off abruptly at 1759* Someone should clue in
these new(?) SW clients that they WILL be cut off if they haven`t wrapped
up after 29:00 minutes. Nothing resembling an ID at the end or any other
time, tho I could well have missed one in Somali. Was not as strong as
Israel on 15640, which had English at 1730; I stayed with 15650 tho
WWCR`s Ken Berryhill was E-skipping in during that half hour too on
15825, much more entertaining, I expect.
(G.Hauser-USA May 27, 2005 for DXLD-ML)
Re 15650 - I tuned the frequency early (around 1725) to check for any
tones but there was no signal until c1729 when a carrier appeared at fair
strength. Music began on the half hour and then an announcement by a
woman followed by a Koran recitation. However, I could copy very little
of it due to a very strong signal coming from Libya via ISS on 15660
(30dB over 9 at times) and this one was splattering onto 15650. Maybe of
interest was that Libya had Voice of Africa news in English at 1730
followed by French at 1737.
(N.R.Green-G May 27, 2005 for DXLD-ML)
Re: New Clandestine: Checking here in Naples at 1730, ID's sounded like
"Radio Horyaal" like the existing station, but the programming did not
seem to match up with what the existing Radio Horyaal has for audio on
its website. Fair signal here in Florida.
(H.Johnson-FL-USA May 27, 2005 in CDX-ML)
Re: New Clandestine: Here in São Bernardo, near by São Paulo City,
Brasil, I checked the 15650 and encountered a fair signal. Unfortunately,
it is impossible to understand the language. Just comments and songs. It
seems Arabian, or?? Now, 1800 UTC, no more signal.
(R.Walter Grimm-SP-B May 27, 2005 in CDX-ML)
Re: New Clandestine: 9+60 here in south Italy, tipical DTK modulation and
signal. Abrupt s/off at 1757.
(R.Scaglione-I May 27, 2005 in CDX-ML)
Re: New Clandestine: They also announced the website www.horyaal.net ,
and used the slogan: "(c)odka shacabka Somaliland" from the website so it
should be the same station (unless they intentionally want to mislead
listeners).
(M.Ritola-FIN May 27, 2005 in CDX-ML)
15650, Test transmission per CRW, 1745 27 May. Signal weak rising to S7
by 1758 w/ OM tlk in Somali? Pulled plug in mid-sentence @ 1759
(J.Strawman-IA-USA May 27, 2005 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - UGANDA
Radio Rhino International
17870 kHz Radio Rhino International via Juelich, Germany. May 11 at 1459
(S/on)-1515. SINPO 25332. S/on with African drums, then ID in English.
Female talk after African pops.
(I.Nagatani-J May 11, 2005 in JAP 369)
...............................................................
Logs - WESTERN SAHARA
Radio Nacional de la República Arabe Saharaui
ALGERIA, 7460, RASD Tindouf noted here at 2140 and at 0600 UT, but signal
strength much less compared to past years signals. No signal on reported
700 kHz. A carrier whistle observed around 2145 and at 0620 UT on 1545.8
May 17th, and 1545.2 kHz at May 18-19.
(W.Bueschel-mobile-E May 17-19, 2005 in DXLD 5-084)
7466 kHz, 23-05-2005, 2255 UT, LV de la Rep. Árabe Saharaui en español.
Comentarios sobre el 20 de Mayo. 32332 ¿nueva frecuencia?
(J.Bueno-CO-E May 23, 2005 in Noticias DX via DXLD 5-085)
ARGELIA, 7466, Radio Nacional de la República Arabe Saharaui, 2104-2303,
24-05, escuchada hasta las 2303 sin que todavía cerrase, con programa
siempre en árabe en esta nueva frecuencia de 7466 en vez de 7460. Hoy no
transmitían su habitual programa en español, como otros días. Locutor,
con comentarios, mencionando muchas veces "Arabía Saharauia". 34333.
(M.Méndez-E May 24, 2005 in NoticiasDX-ML)
Polisario Front's changed 7460 to 7466 kHz both evenings & mornings
surely to avoid adjacent QRM. Their evening schedule still reads
1700-2400 in Arabic, except Castilian 2300-2400, as monitored yesterday,
24 May, and the morning sched. is 0600 (?) - 0800 in Arabic. The QRM
situation does improve after some time, but is terrible at the time they
sign-on 1800, lasting for quite some time; unfortunately, the morning
panorama is not bright either, with an adjacent signal gradually fading
out as Polisario's program reaches its end at 0800, like on 25 May,
observed 0732-0802* with talks, music and finally announcements preceding
the national anthem; rated 54433 but improved to 55444 at sign-off.
Meanwhile, their // 700 kHz is alive and well, while still no trace of
former 1566 whatsoever, and remains a good alternative to their HF
outlet; at least here in Portugal, the sole evening QRM source over 700
kHz emanating from Monaco 702 kHz
(C.Gonçalves-P May 25, 2005 in DXLD 5-087)
...............................................................
Logs - ZIMBABWE
SW Radio Africa
11770 kHz 19/5. SW R. Africa,18:20-18:35, Ingles,locutor con entrevista
comentarios sobre Mugabe, ID "SW radio Africa", dan n? de telefono de
contacto para Zimbawe y Reino Unido, Mx, SINPO 54444.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 19, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
15145 kHz 19/5. SW R.Africa, 17:10-17:21, In y vernacular, locutor y
locutora con entrevistas telefonicas,referencias a Zimbawe, comentarios
sobre la economia y comparando con Zambia, Bostwana y Mozambique. SINPO
55555.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 19, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
15145 kHz 21/5. SW R.Africa,16:00-16:20, In, ID, Mx sintonia, locutor
anuncia programa para Zimbawe,entrevista. SINPO 55555.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 21, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
15145 kHz 23/5. SW R.Africa, 17:00-17:20, In, ID, locutor, titulares,
noticias, entrevista en ingles,referencias a Mugabe y su politica en
Zimbawe, comentarios sobre la actuación de la policia en Zimbawe. SINPO
55555.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 23, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
11770 kHz 26/5. SW R.Africa, 18:36-18:46, In, locutor con entrevista,
seg. Mx afropop, locutora, SINPO 53453.
(J.Miguel Romero Romero-E May 26, 2005 in HCDX-ML)
4880 1800+ SWR Africa, O=3, im DXListening Digest stand die Tage, dass
die Station dichtmachen muss. Von //3300 keine Spur
(T.Hallmann-D May 27, 2005 in A-DX-ML)
15145, SWRA, May 28, 1628-1703, ID “SW Radio Africa, Zimbabwe Independent
Voice, still hanging in here,” into “Weekend News Roundup,” with Richard
Allfrey and another announcer, lively phone interview with reporter in
London (Violet Gonda) with Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi in
Zimbabwe. Mohadi saying people should not complain about conditions in
Zimbabwe to them in London but should complain to local journalists but
Ms. Gonda came back with the fact they cannot broadcast in Zimbabwe.
Interesting and heated exchange. Fair-good, with no jamming. I see on
their web site that the International Press Institute has awarded its
2005 Free Media Pioneer Award to SW Radio Africa.
(R.Howard-CA-USA May 28, 2005 in DXplorer-ML)
12145, SW Radio Africa, via Tbilisskaya, Russia, 1630-1745, May 31, in
what obviously was their last SW broadcast as they announced several
times: "This is the last Shortwave broadcast from SW Radio Africa." They
would continue on 1197 MW and the internet. They also said at 1728: "We
wish our listeners to stay strong, in whatever prison they are in right
now!". Mostly News reel in mixed English, Shona and Ndebele, and often in
the latter two native languages with many English words included. Slight
jamming at times from jamming stations purchased from China. Some audio
fall outs throughout the broadcast. 44434 heard // 15145: 33222. It seems
to me that President Robert Mugabe has won this air battle!
(A.Petersen-DNK May 31, 2005 for CRW)
------------xxxxxxxxxx QSL Verifications xxxxxxxxxx------------
Qsl's - NIGERIA
Voice of Biafra International
Voice of Biafra International 7,380. After reporting 2 non-QSLs in the
past few days, it’s good to be able to report an actual verie. I received
a full-data [except site] personal letter in 2 months from the VBI
Washington, DC, address. Signature is Chima Osondu. Has Meyerton
definitely been established as the site for these broadcasts now? A
report to SENTECH brought a very nice calendar but nothing else. I know
Kathy Otto can verify some non-South African broadcasters and not others.
(W.Craighead-KS-USA May 16, 2005 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Qsl's - SYRIA
Radio Free Syria
A letter sent to Radio Free Syria, c/o Reform Party of Syria, P. O. Box
59730, Potomac, MD 20859 was returned after three months labeled "Return
to Sender, Not Deliverable as Addressed, Unable to Forward." Any ideas? I
have had letters returned to me from all parts of the globe because of
"bad addresses" but usually in less time than this letter to Maryland.
(R.D'Angelo-PA-USA May 22, 2005 in DXplorer-ML)
Seems to me that they left the Box without leaving a new address to the
Postal Office. The ususal thing if you want to avoid that old bills will
reach you at a new address.
(M.Schöch-D May 23, 2005 for CRW)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Other News xxxxxxxxxx--------------------
Other - BELORUSSIA
POLES WANT EU TO FINANCE BROADCASTS INTO BELARUS
According to a news report on the website of Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty, Polish lawmakers in the European Parliament, along with their
Lithuanian colleagues, have been trying vigorously for months to persuade
Brussels to launch and finance radio broadcasts into Belarus from
neighboring countries. The report says that if they succeed, the
information blockade imposed on Belarusians by the Lukashenka regime
might be somewhat eased. Read the full story:
http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/05/31514b18-6d54-40f3-913e-f3a6
fe03baef.html
(A.Sennit-HOL May 25, 2005 in Media Network blog via DXLD 5-087)
...............................................................
Other - ERITREA
ERITREA/ETHIOPIA: ERITREAN DISSIDENT PROGRAMME OBSERVED ON ETHIOPIAN
STATE RADIO
BBC Monitoring observed a programme produced by an Eritrean opposition
movement on two shortwave frequencies used by the external service of
Radio Ethiopia, at 1501-1600 gmt on 25 May 2005.
At 1501 gmt on 7165.1 and 9560.3 kHz, following on immediately from a
Radio Ethiopia external service broadcast in Arabic, there was an
identification announcement in Arabic as "Voice of the Democratic
Alliance" [Sawt al-Tahalufa al-Dimuqrati], followed at 1530 gmt by a
programme in the Kunama language. Radio Ethiopia's external service
resumed at 1600 gmt with a broadcast in English.
The Voice of the Democratic Alliance programme is believed to have been
on the air since 21 April 2005, in accordance with the following
schedule:
Sunday 1500-1530 gmt in Arabic, 1530-1600 gmt in Tigrinya
Monday 1500-1530 gmt in Arabic, 1530-1600 gmt in Kunama
Tuesday 1500-1530 gmt in Tigrinya, 1530-1600 gmt in Afar
Wednesday 1500-1530 gmt in Arabic, 1530-1600 gmt in Kunama
Thursday 1500-1530 gmt in Tigrinya, 1530-1600 gmt in Afar
Friday 1500-1530 gmt in Arabic, 1530-1600 gmt in Kunama
Saturday 1500-1530 gmt in Tigrinya, 1530-1600 gmt in Afar
Voice of the Democratic Alliance is produced by the Eritrean Democratic
Alliance coalition, an umbrella grouping of 16 opposition parties. The
organization has a multilingual website at http://www.erit-alliance.org
Radio Ethiopia is that country's state broadcaster, and has a website at
http://www.angelfire.com/biz/radioethiopia
Source: BBC Monitoring research 25 May 05 (via DXLD 5-088)
Eritrean dissident programme observed on Ethiopian state radio
Sunday May 29th, 2005 00:16.
ADDIS ABABA, May 28, 2005 -- BBC Monitoring observed a programme produced
by an Eritrean opposition movement on two shortwave frequencies used by
the external service of Radio Ethiopia, at 1501-1600 gmt on 25 May 2005.
At 1501 gmt on 7165.1 and 9560.3 kHz, following on immediately from a
Radio Ethiopia external service broadcast in Arabic, there was an
identification announcement in Arabic as "Voice of the Democratic
Alliance" (Sawt al-Tahalufa al-Dimuqrati), followed at 1530 gmt by a
programme in the Kunama language. Radio Ethiopia's external service
resumed at 1600 gmt with a broadcast in English.
The Voice of the Democratic Alliance programme is believed to have been
on the air since 21 April 2005, in accordance with the following
schedule:
Sunday 1500-1530 gmt in Arabic, 1530-1600 gmt in Tigrinya
Monday 1500-1530 gmt in Arabic, 1530-1600 gmt in Kunama
Tuesday 1500-1530 gmt in Tigrinya, 1530-1600 gmt in Afar
Wednesday 1500-1530 gmt in Arabic, 1530-1600 gmt in Kunama
Thursday 1500-1530 gmt in Tigrinya, 1530-1600 gmt in Afar
Friday 1500-1530 gmt in Arabic, 1530-1600 gmt in Kunama
Saturday 1500-1530 gmt in Tigrinya, 1530-1600 gmt in Afar
Voice of the Democratic Alliance is produced by the Eritrean Democratic
Alliance coalition, an umbrella grouping of 16 opposition parties.
Radio Ethiopia is that country's state broadcaster, and has a website at
http://www.angelfire.com/biz/radioethiopia
http://www.sudantribune.com/article.php3?id_article=9831
(Sudan Tribune May 29, 2005 via A.Gupta-ND-IND in HCDX-ML)
...............................................................
Other - GAMBIA
President Jammeh listed as top enemy of Press Freedom
Gambia together with Nigeria and Ivory Coast were listed amongst the top
three enemies of press freedom and human rights by reporters without
borders.
http://www.obsmedia.amarc.org/page.php?action=shownews&id=311
(via G.Lessard-CAN May 18, 2005 in creative-radio)
BIWEEKLY INDEPENDENT FORCED TO STOP PUBLICATION |
Text of press release by the New York-based Committee to Protect
Journalists (CPJ) on 16 May
New York, 16 May: The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply
concerned that the biweekly newspaper The Independent, which lost its
printing press in an unsolved arson in April 2004, has been forced to
stopped publishing entirely after its printing arrangement with the
private Daily Observer was abruptly terminated.
The Independent has not published since 6 May and is still looking for an
alternative way to print, according to Editor Musa Saidykhan. Other
Gambian printing and publishing outlets have refused the paper's requests
for a contract. Saidykhan said he believes they have been threatened not
to print The Independent, or they fear their own presses could be
attacked.
"Those who use threats and violence to silence the Gambia's independent
media have achieved their objective for the moment," CPJ Executive
Director Ann Cooper said. "If this important newspaper disappears, it
will be a serious blow to press freedom in the Gambia."
The government has failed to solve a series of arsons against news
outlets, including a 2000 attack on private broadcaster Radio 1 FM; an
August 2004 attack on the home of BBC correspondent Ebrima Sillah; and an
October 2003 attack on the offices of The Independent. A second attack on
The Independent in April 2004 destroyed the newspaper's new printing
press, and several employees barely escaped. The most shocking attack,
though, was the December 2004 murder of veteran journalist Deyda Hydara,
co-editor and founder of the independent newspaper The Point.
Investigations into these attacks have produced little or no results.
After The Independent's printing press was burned, it reached an informal
arrangement with the Daily Observer to have the paper printed there.
Saidykhan said he was notified by phone on 4 May that the arrangement had
been terminated.
Independent journalists suspect the pro-government Daily Observer had
political motives for terminating the agreement. Daily Observer Managing
Editor Momodou Sanyang told CPJ that he made the decision after learning
of problems with his paper's printing facilities, including the need for
spare parts and extra capacity.
Source: Committee to Protect Journalists press release, New York, in
English 16 May 05 (via BBCM via DXLD 5-083)
...............................................................
Other - IRAN
GUIDE TO IRANIAN MEDIA AND BROADCASTS TO IRAN MAY 2005 |
Produced by BBC Monitoring Media Services
Contents
1. Overview and political background
2. Broadcasting: Organization, strategy and recent developments;
Broadcasting chief; Bias; Changes; Funding
3. Television: Domestic TV channels; Additional services;
International broadcasts; Satellite ban; Persian-language broadcasts from
abroad; US-based stations; Europe; General observations
4. Radio: National radio; Local radio; External radio; Broadcasts into
Iran; Kurdish and other broadcasts
5. Press: Conservative; Reformist; Others
6. News agencies
7. Internet news sites: Other web sites: Conservative; Pro-reform;
Opposition; Others
1. Overview and political background
Broadcasting within Iran is controlled by the state and largely reflects
the views of the Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamene'i) and the
conservative clerical establishment. Although satellite dishes are
officially illegal, their use is currently tolerated and there is a big
audience for foreign-based Persian-language satellite channels and
international broadcasters.
Surveys have found that television is significantly more popular than
radio or newspapers and that Iranians rely mostly on domestic television
for their news and information. There is a large number of daily and
weekly newspapers and the press reflects a range of political viewpoints,
albeit within the limits allowed by the law and constitution. All
publications have to be licensed, and there have been periodic crackdowns
on reformist newspapers and journalists seen as going beyond acceptable
limits.
Recent years have seen an increase in the number of news agencies and
web-based news sites, the latter serving to promote the viewpoints of
both conservative and reformist groupings. Political and individuals have
also taken advantage of the development of weblogs, to the extent that
Persian is now one of the most widely used languages on the internet. The
authorities have been struggling to exert control over this newest form
of media.
Political debate within Iran takes place within an area defined by
certain written and unwritten rules. Criticism of Islam, the Supreme
Leader or Imam Khomeyni is not tolerated, nor is questioning the
legitimacy of the Islamic Republic. Common charges against those deemed
to be dissidents are: propaganda against the regime, undermining national
security, encouraging unrest and insulting sacred beliefs
Political background
Mohammad Khatami won an overwhelming victory in the 1997 presidential
election with the promise of greater social and political freedom. This
was followed by a reformist victory in the Majlis (parliamentary)
elections of 2000. The period also saw a massive expansion and
liberalization of the press. However this produced a reaction from the
conservative judiciary and clerical establishment and a large number of
newspapers were banned or closed down. Khatami's government regularly
found its legislation and initiatives blocked, and in 2004 the
conservatives regained control of parliament. A presidential election is
scheduled for 17 June 2005.
2. Broadcasting
Organization, strategy and recent developments
Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) is the state organization in
charge of domestic and external broadcasting. Its domestic services are
also known as the Voice and Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran. There
are no private, independent broadcasters within the country. The IRIB has
a supervisory board, with two representatives of each of the branches of
state, the presidency, the legislature and the judiciary, but they do not
play any executive role in the organization. The power to appoint and
dismiss the director of the IRIB is assigned by the constitution to the
country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamene'i.
Broadcasting chief
Ezatollah Zarghami was appointed director of IRIB in May 2004, aged 45,
replacing Ali Larijani (who may well be a conservative candidate in the
June 2005 presidential election). Zarghami was one of the students who
occupied the US embassy in Tehran in 1979 and served in the Islamic
Revolution Guards Corps. In the mid 1990s he was deputy minister of
culture and Islamic Guidance with responsibility for cinema. He then
joined IRIB as deputy director in charge of legal, parliamentary and
provincial affairs. The reformist daily Sharq described his appointment
as strengthening the position of the "young conservatives", a group that
has a strong belief in the principle of the guardianship of the supreme
ruler.
Bias
During Larijani's tenure, IRIB frequently drew criticism from reformist
supporters of President Khatami, who accused it of overt bias in favour
of their conservative opponents. Khatami's activities and statements were
often ignored or only partially reported by the state broadcaster. The
organization was notable for its complete absence of reporting on the
student protests of July 2003. Larijani's efforts to curb what he called
"foreign cultural influence" over young Iranians, by cutting imported
programmes, led some 150 reformist MPs to criticize IRIB in January 2004
for what they alleged was pro-conservative bias in the run-up to
parliamentary elections. Larijani responded by saying that their protests
only played into the hands of foreigners - a charge commonly used to
blacken politicians and journalists when they cannot be accused of
anything more specific.
Changes
Since Zarghami took over, changes have been noticed in the style and
content of programming, moving it away from what a Reuters correspondent
described as "a bland schedule dominated by religious programming which
failed to attract young viewers". Radio and television have appeared to
respond more quickly to social developments. There has been a move
towards interactivity - with viewers and listeners being urged to
telephone or e-mail their opinions, and officials being put up to answer
questions from the public.
In a speech to IRIB officials in December 2004, Ayatollah Khamene'i said
that the media had a central responsibility in confronting the propaganda
and "cultural onslaught" the country and region were facing. He said it
was important that young people did not feel that the country was
backward; they had to feel that they were making progress, moving
forward. Khamene'i said the media had to be trustworthy and competitive
and to improve the quality and quantity of both national and
international broadcasting.
The official news agency IRNA quoted Zarghami as saying in reply that
Khamene'i's recommendations would form IRIB's strategy over the next five
years and that upgrading the form and content of television programmes
was under consideration.
Funding
IRIB's main funding comes from the state and is included in the annual
government budget. It earns some income from broadcast advertising,
sponsorship and other commercial activities. Exact figures have not been
made known. However, in 2001 there was a fierce dispute when the
reformist-dominated Majlis tried to cut IRIB's budget allocation by some
20m dollars. IRIB had estimated its advertising revenue at 20m dollars,
whereas some MPs reckoned it to be closer to 40 or 50 million. The Majlis
later launched an inquiry into alleged misuse of some 500m dollars of
funds, but it produced no result.
For the year 2005/6, it was reported that the Majlis had backed a 5m-
dollar increase in the budget allocation for IRIB and the Islamic
Propagation Organization, to be taken from the allocations for the
promotion of cultural heritage and tourism.
3. Television
Iranian television expanded rapidly in the 1990s, adding more channels,
starting international services and moving into satellite and digital
broadcasting. IRIB currently operates four nationwide channels (which it
calls networks), a 24-hour news channel, a number of provincial and
specialist services and three external networks. These broadcasts are
also available live over the internet at http://live.irib.ir/live.htm
Domestic TV channels
Most broadcasts are in Persian, with some brief news bulletins in English
and some provincial programming in languages such as Azeri and Arabic.
The four main nationwide channels are:
Network 1 is also known as the National Channel. It caters for a general
audience and broadcasts the main daily TV news bulletins at 1400 and 2100
(local time). Its terrestrial transmissions are thought to cover 96 per
cent of the country, more than any of the other channels.
The news bulletins provide a bland, and sometimes selective, overview of
the main domestic and international events of the day and activities of
key leadership figures, especially Ayatollah Khamene'i. There is little
in-depth analysis or comment, except for the final one or two items,
which usually provide a brief look at a current international topic or a
non-controversial domestic issue.
http://www.irib.ir/tv/
live streaming at http://www.irib.ir/live/tv1.asx
Network 2 is also known as the Culture Network. It is similar to the
first channel, but includes specialist programmes and some documentaries.
It also broadcasts lengthy interviews and discussions with officials on
issues such as events in Iraq or the nuclear issue. The evening news
bulletin at 2030, local time, was noted in late 2004 to have adopted a
slightly different tone in its reporting, covering a wider range of
political views and offering more in-depth analysis of issues.
http://tv2.irib.ir/
live streaming at http://www.irib.ir/live/tv2.asx
Network 3 is the Youth Network and said to be the most popular channel.
It broadcasts mostly sports and light entertainment programmes.
http://tv3.irib.ir/
live streaming at http://www.irib.ir/live/tv3.asx
Network 4 - the Knowledge Network - broadcasts scientific, educational,
religious and and cultural programmes
http://tv4.irib.ir/
live streaming at http://www.irib.ir/live/tv4.asx
Network 5 is also known as the Tehran Network. It broadcasts light
entertainment, local news and current affairs. Its midnight news bulletin
is IRIB's last domestic news of the day. Although technically a regional
rather than a national channel, because it is carried on satellite it can
be seen around the country.
http://tv5.irib.ir/
live streaming at http://www.irib.ir/live/tv5.asx
Provincial TV
Eight provincial channels are available on satellite: Azarbayjan-e
Gharbi, Esfahan, Fars, Kerman, Khorasan, Khuzestan, Mazandaran, Yazd.
There are a further eight broadcasting terrestrially: Azarbayjan-e
Sharqi, Ardebil, Bushehr, Zanjan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Qom,
Kermanshah, Hamedan and Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari. All of these can be
accessed on the internet at http://live.irib.ir/live-cities.htm
According to the TV4all.com site, they broadcast from 1300 to 2030 gmt,
but this has not been confirmed.
IRI News Network - also known as Khabar (News) or Channel 6, is a 24-hour
news channel. Its format is similar to that of BBC World and CNN. Its
position within the IRIB's stable of channels is not entirely clear. It
began in 1999 as a new domestic network. However, all reference to it has
been removed from the IRIB website and its website has been inaccessible
since 2004 --- Although there is still a link to its live internet stream
at http://www.irib.ir/live/khabar.asx
In addition, it transmits via the Hot Bird 3 satellite, whereas all the
other domestic channels are carried on the Intelsat 902 satellite.
Additional services
Payam (Message) Network is a teletext service. News and information on
sports, finance and arts in Persian is accessible on Network 2, while an
English-language teletext service can be found on Network 3. A selection
of Persian teletext is also avalaible as video-text on Network 5 before
it begins transmissions. Also on the internet at
http://teletext.irib.ir/Teletext.asp
Kor`an Network - although this is listed as a separate channel, in fact
it produces programming which is shown on a number of the other channels.
Network 2 for one hour after the midday prayers; Network 4 from 0600 to
1100; Network 5 0100-0530 http://qurantv.irib.ir/
Educational Network broadcasts secondary school courses and religious and
scientific educational programming from 0930 to 2300
http://www.irib.ir/amouzesh/default.htm
International broadcasts
IRIB began international TV broadcasts in 1997 with the Persian-language
Jaam-e Jam service and the multilingual Sahar TV. The Arabic-language
Al-Alam news channel started in 2003.
Jaam-e Jam (Jaam's Cup - named after a legendary Persian king) was
launched in December 1997. It describes itself as broadcasting to
expatriates, Persian speakers, and those interested in the culture and
civilization of Iran. Jaam-e Jam has three channels, broadcasting a
24-hour mix of general programming, some with English subtitles. Channel
1 (also called IRIB 1) broadcasts via Hot Bird 3 for viewers in Europe
and the Middle East; Channel 2 (IRIB 2) broadcasts via Hot Bird 3 and
Intelsat Americas 5 for Europe and North America; Channel 3 (IRIB 3)
broadcasts via Asiasat 2 and Intelsat 902 for the Middle East, Asia and
Oceania/Australia. The three channels do not broadcast the same
programming, though there is some overlap.
Interestingly, IRIB seems to realize that it has a potentially large
audience for Jaam-e Jam within Iran, despite the ban on satellite dishes.
A revamp of the TV pages of its website in March 2005 resulted in the
channel being given equal prominence with the domestic networks. It may
also be that Jaam-e Jam is being used to compete against some of the
popular expatriate satellite channels: it takes a more relaxed attitude
on social issues such as showing musical instruments being played, which
would not be allowed on the domestic channels.
http://jame-jam.ir/ live streaming at
http://www.irib.ir/live/jj1.asx and jj2.asx, jj3.asx
Sahar TV is an international television service broadcasting news and
general progamming on two channels in several languages. Its aim is "to
deliver the message of the Iranian revolution to the outside world".
Channel 1 is available on Hot Bird 3 (Europe) and Nilesat 102 (Middle
East). Channel 2 is available on Hot Bird 3.
According to its website, Sahar broadcasts in English, Arabic, French,
Kurdish, Bosnian, Azeri and Urdu. There have also been reports of
transmissions in Turkish. It is not clear how up to date the information
is; the site is the least informative and well-maintained of the IRIB
sites.
In February 2005 the French Higher Broadcasting Council ordered Eutelsat
to halt transmissions to France of Sahar Channel 1 for broadcasting
programmes that were anti-Semitic and an incitement to racial hatred. The
programmes were Al-Shatat (Diaspora), a Syrian-produced series that
included a denial of the Holocaust, and Zahra's Blue Eyes, a serial in
which a Palestinian girl is tricked into having her eyes removed so they
can be transplanted into a blind Israeli.
http://www.irib.ir/live/sahar.asx and
http://www.irib.ir/live/sahar2.asx
Al-Alam (The World) is IRIB's 24-hour Arabic news channel, targetting a
pan-Arab audience. It transmits on a number of satellites and can be
received in Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and America. Al-Alam
began broadcasting in February 2003, shortly before the start of the Iraq
war. Its style of presentation is similar to that of the major pan-Arab
satellite news channels such as Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya. It has bureaus
in Baghdad and Beirut. Its news bulletins give extensive coverage to the
Middle East, particularly Iraq and the Palestinian territories.
In addition to satellite, it is broadcast from a terrestrial transmitter
in Iran, making it easily accessible in large areas of southern and
eastern Iraq and the only international channel available without a
satellite dish. However, this fact is less significant than it was. An
Intermedia survey in mid-2004 found that 78 per cent of Iraqi viewers had
access to satellite dishes. Al-Alam's total audience reach was put at 15
per cent compared to over 60 per cent for the most popular channels,
Al-Arabiya and Al-Jazeera. It only rated single figures for reliability
and importance as a source of information.
According to the channel's web site, Al-Alam is an "Islamic,
international news channel" that is "independent" and "neutral" and is
"determined to present precise and comprehensive information about events
and developments of the world and region quickly". Managing Director
Hasan Beheshtipur said that the purpose of the channel was to present the
viewpoints of the Islamic world and "counter the monopolization of news
channels by Western countries".
Al-Alam's web site at http://www.alalam.ir has extensive news in Arabic
on politics, economics, science and technolgy and other topics. It offers
live streaming at http://live.irib.ir/alalam.asx and
http://www.alalam.ir/livetv.ram
Satellite ban
Owning a satellite dish was declared illegal in a law passed in 1994. The
reformist-dominated Sixth Majlis (2000-2004) adopted a bill to legalize
dishes, but it was blocked by the Guardian Council, a body which vets
legislation. However, viewing of satellite channels is widespread and
largely tolerated by the authorities, despite occasional crackdowns.
Former IRIB chief Ali Larijani admitted to reporters in January 2005 that
a total ban was unrealistic. At around the same time, there were reports
that the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance was considering a
proposal to allow foreign-based Persian broadcasters to open offices in
Iran.
An Intermedia survey in February/March 2004 found that 6 per cent of
respondents admitted to owning a satellite dish, which it considered to
be an undercount. Among the expatriate stations mentioned in the survey
were Tapesh, National Iranian Television (NITV), Pars TV and Jaam-e-Jam
International. According to the Sharq daily newspaper in May 2004, a
Culture Ministry survey in Tehran showed that over 70 per cent of
respondents watched satellite programmes from abroad (although only 10
per cent admitted to doing so at home).
However, the Intermedia survey also found that whereas IRIB's four main
TV channels had a weekly reach of between 79 and 93 per cent of adults
over 15, no expatriate TV had a weekly reach of more than 8 per cent.
(Although VOA has claimed that its TV broadcasts in Persian reach 12 per
cent of the adult population.) In addition, IRIB TV was seen as the main
source of information by 82 per cent of respondents, with no
foreign-based channel gaining more than 1 per cent.
Persian-language broadcasts from abroad
There are some 20 Persian-language TV stations broadcasting on satellite
and capable of being seen in Iran. Most of them are based in the Los
Ángeles area. The oldest were established in the early 1980s, principally
to serve the large expatriate community that developed there after the
Iranian revolution. The expansion of satellite broadcasting in the late
1990s brought the realization that there was a much wider potential
audience, in the Iranian diaspora and in Iran, and recent years have seen
an increase in the number of stations. The potential influence of these
stations was noticed in June 2003, when they gave extensive coverage to a
wave of student protests in Iran. Shortly after that, and just as VOA
launched a daily TV news programme in Persian, the satellite beaming
these channels into Iran was subjected to a period of jamming, believed
to have emanated from an Iranian diplomatic facility in Havana, Cuba.
Although some of the expatriate stations are explicitly political and
anti-regime, most of them profess to have no specific political
affiliations. This has not stopped allegations that they are secretly
funded by Iranian monarchists, US agencies, or even the government in
Tehran. One recent development is that some stations, such as Tapesh and
Iran TV Network, are said to have started operating partly out of the
UAE. They have been seen to carry advertisements from state-run Iranian
companies, leading to speculation that they have arrived at some sort of
modus vivendi with the Iranian authorities.
US-based stations (Except where noted, all these stations are based in
the Los Angeles area)
National Iranian TV (NITV) http://www.nitv.tv
Founded in 2000 and run by former Iranian rock star Zia Atabay. It
describes itself as an independent 24-hour Persian TV station aiming to
"act as a bridge to relay the voice of Iranians to the world and to build
awareness within our community in and outside our homeland". NITV is one
of the exile stations credited in the US press with encouraging people
onto the streets of Tehran on 11 September 2001, to protest against the
attacks on the USA, and during the student protests of June 2003.
The programming schedule includes four 30-minute news bulletins and a mix
of films, music, serials and chat shows. There is also a programme called
Crimes of the Islamic Republic; past programmes have included film
allegedly showing interrogations carried out by Iranian intelligence
agents, and a satirist impersonating a sex-starved mullah.
Press reports say the station is struggling financially, with advertisers
reluctant to support it, and it broadcasts appeals to viewers for
donations. Atabay said in 2003 that the monthly budget for NITV was
around 140,000 dollars: 45,000 dollars for satellite fees; 20,000 dollars
for office and studio rental; 40,000 dollars for salaries, and the
remainder for incidental expenses. Revenue included 25,000 dollars in
subscriptions from American viewers (Iranians with a satellite dish
receive the service free), 27,000 dollars from advertising, and 30,000
dollars from commissions on sales of Iranian carpets.
Azadi TV (Freedom TV) http://www.azaditv.com
Azadi TV closed in early 2005. It was established in September 2001with
the aim of promoting democracy, freedom and a secular state in Iran. It
broadcast mainly in Persian but had a daily 30-minute programme in
English focusing on human rights in Iran. It claimed that some of its
news footage was supplied by correspondents operating inside Iran.
The station manager was Reza Fazeli, an actor and film director before he
left Iran in 1979. His son was killed in a bomb explosion in London in
1986. Owner Fariborz Abbassi said in 2003, when it was reported that the
USA might start funding some of the exile stations, that he raised 25,000
dollars a month from individuals in Europe and the US but his costs were
over 120,000 dollars.
Channel One TV http://www.channelonetv.com
Founded by exiled broadcaster Shahram Homayoun (formerly with Azadi TV),
who featured in US press articles in 2003 about the student unrest in
Tehran. The website has no programming information, just links to
Homayoun's personal pro-monarchist website. Homayoun is also associated
with Radio Pedar (Father) which broadcasts to Iran on shortwave for one
hour a day.
Rangarang (Many-coloured) http://www.rangarangtv.com (Virginia-based)
It began broadcasting on satellite in mid-2004; before that it had only
been available in the Washington D.C. area. Its leading light is Ahura
Piruz Khaleghi-Yazdi, an aviation consultant. He attracted attention in
September 2004 when he announced that he was about to return to Iran with
50 chartered aircraft and the Islamic Republic would promptly disappear.
This drew ridicule from the Iranian media and much of the expatriate
community.
Both the TV website and Khaleghi-Yazdi's own http://www.ahura.info have
archive video clips of his Real World programme, in which he expounds his
views on ancient Iranian civilization and Zoroastrianism and takes calls
from viewers.
XTV http://www.sosiran.com
This is a relative newcomer and is the mouthpiece of the Iran of Tomorrow
Movement of Iman Foroutan which advocates the non-violent overthrow of
the clerical regime and claims to have underground cells inside Iran. The
archive video available on the internet mainly offers talks by Foroutan
and veteran journalist Homa Ehsan and interviews with monarchist
spokesmen, plus listener phone calls. There is also a daily 45-minute
radio transmission on shortwave.
The remaining stations offer mostly light entertainment programming and
have no explicit political affiliations.
Tamasha TV (Spectacle) http://www.tamashatv.com
Tamasha is described as a general entertainment network that broadcasts
documentaries, live talk shows, music videos, news and family
programming.
Tapesh TV (Persian Broadcasting Company) http://www.tapeshtv.com
Launched in 1989 by Alireza Amirghassemi and Masoud Jamali, it went
international in 2000 and launched a second channel in January 2005.
Scheduling information shows a mix of sports, music, film, serials,
lifestyle and talk shows. Surveys have shown that it is one of the most
widely watched exile stations within Iran.
Jaam-e-Jam International http://www.jaamejamintl.com
Established in 1981 by Manouchehr Bibiyan, previously a major music
producer in Iran; not to be confused with Iranian state TV's external
network of the same name. Programming is a mix of general entertainment,
news, films, sports, talk shows and documentaries.
Pars TV http://www.parstvnetwork.com
Established in 1989 and one of the first to go onto satellite, in 1998.
Iran TV Network http://www.irantvnetwork.com
Broadcasting since 1982 ITN (as it calls itself) says: "Our programmes
deal with everyday events in the entertainment world, music concerts and
the latest movie releases both in United States and around the world."
Omid-e Iran (Hope of Iran) http://www.oitn.com
According to its website, Omid-e-Iran provides 24-hour "news and sports,
entertainment and movie, economic, cultural and social-issue programs in
both Farsi and English".
Appadana TV http://www.appadanatv.com
Based in the San Francisco area. CEO and president is Sattar Deldar,
"veteran Iranian newsman and hard-hitting commentator". Schedule shows a
mixture of lifestyle programmes, films, music and some news
bulletins.
MTC - Melli (National) TV http://www.mellitv.com
An unaffiliated 24-hour station whose aim is "to act as a bridge to relay
the voice of Iranians to the world and to build awareness within our
community in and outside our homeland".
IPN TV International Programming Network http://www.ipntv.com
Describes itself as a 24-hour ethnic programming network consisting of
"social programming news, comedy shows, music, talk shows, game shows,
and award winning movies and documentaries from around the globe". Among
other channels available on satellite are PEN (Persian Entertainment
Network) TV, Didar Global TV, Iranian Cinema Channel and LA Home and
Shopping Entertainment TV.
VOA TV Persian http://www.voanews.com
Voice of America broadcasts a daily 30-minute news programme called News
and Views. The programme length was increased to 60 minutes in the run-up
to the June 2005 presidential election. It also broadcasts a weekly
60-minute current affairs programme Next Chapter targeting a younger
audience, and Roundtable with You, a weekly 90-minute discussion
programme and phone-in simulcast on radio.
Europe
There are three politically-oriented satellite stations based in or with
postal addresses in the UK. Sima-ye Azadi Iran (Vision of Freedom)
(http://www.iranntv.com) is the TV of the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization.
New Channel TV (http://www.newchannel.tv) is the TV of the Workers'
Communist Party of Iran. Ma TV (http://www.anjomane-
padeshahi.org) is a forum for the fiercely anti-clerical Foroud
Fooladvand, who has been the subject of Iranian protests to the British
authorities.
One other station worth mentioning is Mohajer International TV
http://www.m-itv.com which began broadcasts in 2004. Based in Germany and
half-owned by businessman Hassan Aripanahi, it offers a mix of general
programming. Aripanahi says he wants to promote Iranian culture for
Iranians around the world. Mohajer was given permission by the Ministry
of Culture to open an office in Tehran and hoped to produce some
programmes in cooperation with state TV. However, the Supreme Cultural
Council has objected to its activities.
General observations
The stations run the range from virtual one-man operations to large,
well-staffed organizations. Some of the more overtly political channels
are little more than the presenter speaking to a fixed camera positioned
in front of a desk.
It is not clear how much of the entertainment, if any, is produced
in-house. Some of the serials would appear to have been produced in Iran.
Although a number of them claim to be 24-hour operations, this is often
not reflected in the programming information available. Similarly, a
number offer live internet streaming but this is rarely accessible. Many
of the websites do not appear to be regularly updated.
4. Radio
IRIB operates eight nationwide domestic radio networks, a number of
provincial stations and an external service that broadcasts in 29
languages. They are known as the Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran
(VIRI).
National radio
Most channels broadcast round the clock, on FM and MW, with live internet
streaming from the IRIB web site at http://live.irib.ir --- archive audio
is also available. The Nationwide and Koran channels are also carried on
satellite alongside the external TV services.
Sarasari (Nationwide) radio, the country's main radio channel Farhang
(Culture) radio, which includes live relays from parliament Koran radio -
Koranic recitations and interpreations Ma'aref (Islamic culture)
broadcasts prayers and programmes on religion and ethics
Javan (Youth) radio
Varzesh (Sports) radio
Payam (Message) radio, said to be one of the most popular stations;
broadcasts news, music and traffic information mainly for the Tehran area
Salamat (Health) radio, broadcasts on FM only at 0630-1030 gmt
Local radio
The Tehran Network broadcasts 24 hours on MW and FM. In addition there
are studios in 39 centres producing programmes in Farsi and some local
languages and dialects, including Azeri, Kurdish and Gilaki. These
stations usually broadcast between 0230 and 1630 gmt and relay the
Nationwide Network at night.
External radio
Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran External Service (or World Service)
broadcasts in 29 languages. Broadcasts are on satellite, via the internet
and on shortwave and mediumwave. Some broadcasts are also available
internally on the domestic FM network (100.7 in Tehran). According to the
World Radio TV Handbook the languages are: Albanian, Arabic, Armenian,
Azeri, Bengali, Bosnian, Dari, English, French, Georgian, German, Hausa,
Hebrew, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kazakh, Kurdish, Mandarin,
Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Tajik, Turkish, Turkmen, Urdu and
Uzbek.
The service's website http://www.irib.ir/worldservice has no mention of
the Azeri, Georgian, Turkmen and Uzbek services
The satellite services are listed on the site as IRIB World Service
radios 1 to 5, each carrying a number of language broadcasts; not all are
carried on all satellites. IRIB Arabic radio is listed as a separate
service.
The Uzbek, Tajik and Dari services are believed to emanate from the VIRI
studios in Mashhad, also known as the Voice of Khorasan. The Turkmen
service describes itself as broadcasting from Gorgan, in Golestan
Province.
The Hebrew service, also known as Voice of David, began broadcasting on
10 June 2002.
The English service includes a daily 30-minute [sic] programme called
Voice of Justice aimed at North America.
The Arabic Service broadcasts round the clock on satellite, MW, SW and FM
(for southeast Iraq, Tehran and Qom). It also broadcasts a daily
30-minute programme called Voice of Palestine, Voice of the Palestinian
Islamic Revolution. This is directed at Syria, Lebanon and Palestine and
focuses exclusively on the Palestinian issue.
Voice of the Mujahidin (or Voice of the Iraqi Mojahedin) is the radio
station of the Iranian-backed Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution
in Iraq (SCIRI). It began broadcasting in April 2003, opposing the US
presence in Iraq and apparently replacing the clandestine Voice of the
Islamic Revolution in Iraq. It broadcast on mediumwave and FM frequencies
also used by IRIB and on the Hot Bird satellite alongside other IRIB
channels. It has not been heard on any frequency since 7 December 2004.
Broadcasts into Iran
There are a number of international, opposition and expatriate radios
broadcasting to Iran, mainly in Persian.
International broadcasters include the BBC, VOA, Radio France
Internationale, Deutsche Welle, Voice of Israel and Voice of Russia.
A relatively recent addition is Radio Farda (Tomorrow), launched in
December 2002. Radio Farda is a collaboration between Radio Free
Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Voice of America (VOA). The radio's
target audience is listeners under 30, who make up about 70 per cent of
Iran's population. Radio Farda broadcasts news, information and
entertainment 24 hours a day on satellite, mediumwave and shortwave. A
BBC survey in 2004 indicated that it has become the most popular foreign
broadcaster, although its weekly audience reach of around 15 per cent is
still well short of that of state broadcasting.
The Persian-language radio stations based in the USA include KRSI - Radio
Voice of Iran, a pro-monarchist station based in Los Angeles and
broadcasting on shortwave, satellite and the internet; Radio Yaran, also
known as AFN Radio, run by Alireza Meybodi; Radio Azadegan (Free People),
a radio supporting the Iran National Front (of the 1950's prime minister
Mohammad Mossadeq), broadcasting on satellite, with archive available on
the internet; Radio Voice of Women (broadcasting 1 hour a week on
shortwave, with internet archive); and the Baha'i radio Payam-e Doost
(Message from a Friend) which broadcasts on satellite and shortwave.
In addition, Voice of Iran of Tomorrow Movement - associated with XTV -
and Radio Pedar (Father) - associated with Channel One TV - have daily
60-minute broadcasts on shortwave.
Voice of the Mojahed - the radio of the Iranian opposition Mojahedin-e
Khalq Organization - broadcast from Iraq until the overthrow of Saddam
Husayn. Broadcasts in Persian can be now be heard via satellite and
internet. They also operate Sima-ye Azadi TV.
Kurdish and other broadcasts
There are a number of clandestine radios broadcasting to Iran on
shortwave. Their transmissions are often jammed by the Iranian
authorities. The following stations broadcast in Kurdish and Persian:
Voice of Iranian Kurdistan is operated by the Democratic Party of Iranian
Kurdistan, based in Salah al-Din, Iraq; archive audio is available on the
internet at http://www.rdki.com
Voice of the Struggle of Iranian Kordestan is the radio of the
Revolutionary Struggle Organization of Iranian Kurdistan.
Voice of Komalah (or Komala) - there are two stations using this name.
1. Voice of Komala representing the Revolutionary Organization of Toilers
of Iranian Kurdestan; http://www.komala.org Broadcasts 2 hours a day,
plus repeats, with archive available on the internet.
2. Voice of Komala http://www.komalah.org broadcasts weekly via a CIS
transmitter and is associated with the Communist Party of Iran. Voice of
the Iranian Revolution - broadcasts 1 hour a day in support of the
Communist Party of Iran. It shares frequencies with the Voice of the
Communist Party of Iran, which broadcasts 1 hour a day in Persian.
Voice of the Iranian Nation was first observed in July 2004. It has daily
30-minute broadcasts; its affiliation is unknown.
Radio International is the radio of the Workers Communist Party of Iran
and associated with the UK-based New Channel TV.
There are two radios linked to the Revolutionary Workers Organization of
Iran (Rahe Kargar). They broadcast on shortwave until 2003/4 and now
offer archive audio on their web sites. They may also broadcast via
satellite, but this has not been verified. They are: Radio Barabari
(Equality) http://www.radiobarabari.net and Radio Sedaye Kargaran Iran
(Voice of the Workers of Iran) http://www.sedayekargaran.com
5. Press
Given the lack of real political debate on state-controlled radio and
television, the press (and, increasingly, the internet) provides the main
forum for _expression of opinion. The press reflects a range of political
viewpoints, albeit within the limits allowed by the law and constitution.
There are periodic crackdowns on reformist newspapers and journalists
seen as taking too many liberties.
All publications are required to apply to the Ministry of Culture and
Islamic Guidance for a licence and are also subject to the Press Law
which, among other things, bans the publication of articles which
"violate Islamic principles" or "might damage the foundation of the
Islamic Republic".
However, although influential among decision-makers, the press is not the
main source of news and information for the population as a whole, with
under a quarter reading a newspaper on a daily basis. Circulation is said
to be declining and publications are suffering from a fall in advertising
revenue; newsprint has increased in price and is sometimes in short
supply, since most of it is imported. Most daily publications are between
12 and 16 pages.
There are some 20 major national dailies which represent various views
across the political spectrum. Although many of them have no explicit
political affiliations, it has become the practice to describe them as
falling within either the conservative or reformist camp. (Note: all
circulation figures are unverified, usually the paper's own claim.)
Conservative
The main conservative dailies are:
Keyhan (Universe) One of the country's oldest papers, run by the office
of the Supreme Leader, who appoints the managing editor (Hoseyn
Shariatmadari). Circulation 60-100,000; read by a conservative, religious
audience. It has consistently taken a hard line on domestic and foreign
policy issues and published articles about those accused of working for
the CIA or other agencies. In April 2005 it changed from afternoon to
morning publication, bringing it into line with most other dailies.
Keyhan has said it will support the final candidate of the conservative
Coordination Council in the presidential election.
http://www.kayhannews.ir - pages in .htm format; 12 month archive Resalat
(Message) Established in 1985 and owned by the Resalat Foundation, which
has strong links to the traditional bazaar merchants - conservative but
in favour of a market economy. It reflects the views of the conservative
Islamic Coalition Party and the Islamic Association of Engineers.
Circulation 30,000-50,000, read by a conservative, religious audience.
Managing editor Morteza Nabavi is a member of the Expediency Council.
Resalat will support the candidate of the conservative Coordination
Council.
http://www.resalat-news.com - pages in .pdf format; limited archive
Jomhuri-ye Eslami (The Islamic Republic) Ayatollah Ali Khamene'i, Iran's
supreme leader, was the first licence holder and the paper is considered
to still be closely linked to him. The paper takes the line of adherence
to Khomeyni's ideals and has consistently taken a radical position on
foreign policy issues and a conservative position on domestic and
religious issues.
http://www.jomhourieslami.com - pages in .htm format; two-year archive
Jaam-e Jam (Jam's Cup or The Crystal Ball) Owned by the Islamic Republic
of Iran Broadcasting. Its circulation of 450,000 makes it the biggest
selling paper apart from the sports papers. Editorials and commentaries
reflect the conservative approach of the IRIB.
http://www.jamejamdaily.net or http://www.jamejamonline.ir The website
describes itself as a cyber-newspaper and posts updates throughout the
day. It offers a PDF version of the printed paper and a three-year
archive.
Hamshahri (Fellow citizen) Owned by Tehran Municipality, its politics
have changed with the mayoralty. Originally reformist, it became
conservative after local elections in 2003. One of the best selling
dailies with a circulation of about 350,000. It was the first to print in
colour. Hamshahri supports the candidacy of Tehran's mayor, Mahmud
Ahmadinezhad. http://www.hamshahri.org (and .net) pages in .htm format
with an archive going back to 1996
Seda-ye Edalat (Voice of Justice) Weekly turned daily in 2001. Initially
reformist but then turned conservative without explaining why.
http://www.sedayedalat.com
Siyasat-e Ruz (Politics of the Day) Published by Ali Yusefpur, a member
of the Islamic Revolution Devotees' Society. It reflects the views of the
younger generation of Iranian conservatives. It changed from weekly to
daily publication in 2001. It supports the younger right-wing candidates,
Tehran mayor Mahmud Ahmadinezhad and former police chief Baqer Qalibaf.
No website.
Afarinesh (Creation) Managing editor Abdollah Jasbi is chancellor of the
Islamic Azad (Open) University and a member of the conservative Islamic
Coalition Association. No website.
Qods (Celestial) A Mashhad-based daily published by and representing the
views of the administration of the shrine of Imam Reza and the Mashhad
seminary. http://www.qudsdaily.com - pages in .htm format; archive
inaccessible
Hemayat (Support) Conservative paper owned by the Prisons' Organization
and reflecting the views of the judiciary. http://www.hemayat.net has
both .htm and .pdf pages - archive unavailable
Abrar (The Righteous) One of the oldest post-revolution papers, it is an
independent conservative daily mainly read by sports fans.
http://www.abrar.ir - last updated in December 2004
Reformist
The main reformist dailies have all been established in recent years,
particularly after the closure of many of their predecessors in 2000 and
2001.
Eqbal (Luck) was established in February 2005 to promote the presidential
candidacy of Mustafa Mo'in of the Islamic Iran Participation Front
http://www.eqbal.ir - pages in .pdf format with archive
Aftab-e Yazd (The Sun of Yazd) A regional paper which went national in
2000 (President Mohammed Khatami is from Yazd) as a way to circumvent the
closure of other dailies; affiliated with the Militant Clerics Society
and aides to Khatami. Circulation 160,000. The paper supports the
cnadidacy of former Majlis Speaker Mehdi Karrubi.
http://www.aftabyazd.com - the site has .pdf version of pages within
frames; archive temporarily unavailable when checked
Sharq (East) Reformist weekly that became a daily in 2003. Represents the
views of the moderate technocrats typical of the Executives of
Construction party. Circulation about 100,000. Sharq supports the
candidacy of Expediency Council chairman, and former president,
Hashemi-Rafsanjani. http://www.sharghnewspaper.com - pages in .htm and
.pdf format; archive from late 2003
Hambastegi (Solidarity) Organ of the Islamic Iran Solidarity Party, one
of the pro-Khatami groups. Circulation 120,000.
http://www.hambastegidaily.com - pages in .pdf format, three-month
archive
Mardom Salari (Democracy) Organ of the Mardom Salari Party. Managing
editor Mostafa Kavakevian was formerly on the board of Hambastegi and is
a presidential candidate. http://www.mardomsalari.com - pages in .pdf
format; three-month archive
E'temad (Confidence) A moderate reformist daily published by former Iran
newspaper editors supervised by a leading member of the Executives of
Construction Party. Managing editor Elias Hazrati has left Solidarity and
said he is thinking of setting up a new party. The paper has declared in
favour of Mehid Karrubi, but many of its journalists support
Hashemi-Rafsanjani. http://www.etemaad.com - pages in .asp format,
archive back to 2002
Towse'eh A pro-Khatami daily managed by Qoli Sheykhi, who was deputy
minister of labour in the second Majlis. No website.
Nasim-e Saba (Breeze) Reflects the views of the Militant Clerics Society,
of which its proprietor Rasul Montajabnia is a prominent member.
http://www.nasimesaba.net (inacessible)
Others
Ettela'at (Information) Iran's oldest daily, moderate, a newspaper of
record; one of its popular features is the obituary section. Circulation
60-90,000. It also publishes an international edition in London and New
York with an English section. http://www.ettelaat.com - pages in .pdf
format
Iran Published by the IRNA news agency, moderately pro-reformist.
Circulation of over 100,000; popular with government clerks and office
workers. http://www.iran-newspaper.com pages in .htm and .pdf format and
a four-year archive
Farhang-e Ashti (Culture of reconciliation) Launched in 2003.
Pro-reformist but with no specific political affiliation; its main
coverage is economic, social and technical issues.
http://www.ashtidaily.com - .pdf format; archive available
The most widely-read newspapers in Iran, however, are the sports
journals. Some two million copies of them are read every day. Their
circulation can double after a major football match. The most notable
are:
Khabar-e Varzeshi (Sports News); Abrar-e Varzeshi (Abrar Sports); Iran-e
Varzeshi (Iran Sports); Jahan-e Football (The World of Football), this
newspaper, a best-seller, covers only football news.
There are three main English-language newspapers: Tehran Times
http://www.tehrantimes.com published by the government-run Islamic
Propagation Organization; Iran Daily http://www.iran-daily.com published
by the official news agency IRNA; and Iran News
http://www.irannewsdaily.com
6. News Agencies
IRNA Islamic Republic News Agency - the country's official news agency,
formerly called Pars, with a history going back to 1934. In addition to
Persian, it has news in Arabic, English, Russian, Chinese, French,
Spanish and Serbian. http://www.irna.ir
The Central News Unit has operated since 1971, primarily to provide news
for the radio and television service. It also runs IRIB's news web site
at http://www.iribnews.ir
A number of new agencies have appeared in recent years, among them: ISNA
Iranian Students' News Agency Established in 1999 by officials from
University Jihad after the wave of student disturbances. It receives some
government funding and has tended to take a pro-Khatami or reformist view
of events. http://www.isna.ir
Fars News Agency founded by members of the Islamic War Veterans Society
with journalists from the conservative Resalat and Javan dailies.
Launched in 2002, it considers itself the country's first privately-owned
news agency. http://www.farsnews.com
Mehr News Agency was launched in 2003. Owned by the Islamic Propagation
Organization, an agency of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance,
its managing director also runs the Tehran Times. http://www.mehrnews.com
- pages in Persian, Arabic, English and Urdu.
ILNA Iranian Labour News Agency - affiliated with the Labour Higher
Education Institute. http://www.ilna.ir
Despatches from these agencies are used extensively by the national daily
newspapers. All their material is accessible on the internet without
registration or subscription. Other agencies include:
SYNA Society of Iranian Youth Agency - mainly offering reports on
religious, cultural and educational issues. http://www.syna.ir
SNN Student News Network is a conservative news website which belongs to
university Basij (paramilitary) students. The site offers political
commentaries, news and articles supporting the hardline faction of the
government. http://www.snn.ir
ANA Azad News Agency operated by the Islamic Azad (Open) University
http://www.ana.ir - many of its stories are credited to IRIB or foreign
agencies.
IWNA Iranian Women's News Agency - established in 2001 but did not become
active until November 2004. http://www.iwna.ir
7. Internet news sites
There are an increasing number of news sites on the internet. Many simply
recycle reports from other sources but those listed below appear to have
some original content. Many of them do not explicitly state their
affiliations or give any organizational information. Some newspapers and
journalists affected by the press closures of 2000-2001 took to the
internet and then to weblogging, as software to produce Persian-langauge
blogs was developed.
The official Iranian position on internet access is that only web sites
with "pornographic or immoral" content are blocked or filtered. Action
against opposition or dissenting sites is sporadic, sometimes against
specific sites, sometimes against host servers or ISPs. In summer 2004 a
number of sites associated with reformist parties were blocked. In autumn
2004 around 20 journalist webloggers were detained on various charges
before being released.
Baztab (Reflection) http://www.baztab.com - conservative site run by
Mohsen Reza'i, secretary of the Expediency Council and former Islamic
Revolutiohn Guards Corps commander. Briefly ordered to close in November
2004, possibly because of its reporting of the nuclear issue.
Sharif (Noble) http://www.sharifnews.com - a conservative site which
belongs to the Basij (paramilitary) students of Sharif University.
Aftab (Sun) http://www.aftabnews.ir - said to be supportive of
ex-President Hashemi-Rafsanjani, currently head of the Expediency
Council, and also linked with Hasan Rowhani, secretary of the Supreme
National Security Council and chief negotiator in the Iran-EU nuclear
talks.
Hatef (Voice carrying a message) http://www.hatefnews.com - another site
that is said to be associated with Rafsanjani. Also has pages in Arabic
and links to English-language reports about Iran.
Pro-reformist
Emrooz (Today) http://www.emrouz.info - a pro-reform news website to
which many prominent reformists have contributed; linked with the Islamic
Iran Participation Front. It was blocked by the authorities in August
2004 but reappeared in February 2005 with special focus on the
presidential election campaign.
Rooydad (Happening) http://www.rooydadnews.com - the news website of the
pro-reform Islamic Iran Participation Front, offering breaking headlines,
analysis and commentary. It was reported to have been blocked in
September 2004, and posted updates on a weblog, until it re-emerged in
April 2005.
Rooz (Day) http://www.roozonline.com - a daily internet newspaper which
launched in May 2005. It is produced by "independent reformist
journalists supporting freedom and human rights". Some of them are living
in exile in Europe and Canada, while other contributors still work in
Iran.
Iran Press News http://www.iranpressnews.com is a news website that
provides up-to-date information on Iran and posts articles critical of
government policies.
Other web sites
Conservative
Noghte at http://www.noghte.net is a conservative website that features
news, articles and interviews on the current political situation in Iran
and throughout the world.
Motalefeh (Coalition) http://www.motalefeh.org is a conservative website
which belongs to the Islamic Coalition Party.
Daricheh http://www.daricheh.org is an ultra-conservative site which
belongs to the hardline wing of the clerical establishment.
Pro-reform
Daneshjooyan http://www.daneshjooyan.org also known as the International
Alliance of Iranian Students is a pro-reform student website carrying
declarations, current news, articles and critical analysis of Iranian
domestic affairs.
Asre-nou http://www.asre-nou.net is an independent, pro-reform website
focusing primarily on Iranian political developments.
Dtnews http://www.dtnews.org is a pro-democracy student website which
posts information, news and statements on political events in Iran.
Freebatebi http://www.freeatebi.com is a pro-democracy website run by
supporters of Ahmad Batebi, a student jailed for 10 years after the
protests of July 1999.
Roshangari http://www.roshangari.com is a pro-reform website featuring
current news, articles, interviews and declarations from student
organizations and other special interest groups critical of government
policies.
Opposition
Zagros http://www.zagros.info is an anti-government website which
reportedly belongs to the opposition Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization
(MKO).
Peykeiran http://www.peykeiran.com is an anti-government website that
features news, articles and declarations critical of government policies.
It too is linked with the MKO.
Peiknet http://www.peiknet.com is a proreform website that posts
information from Iran externally. The site is said to be linked to the
Tudeh (Communist) Party.
Melli Mazhabi http://www.mellimazhabi.org is an anti-government website
which belongs to the nationalist-religious movement.
Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy in Iran
http://www.daneshjoo.org - an anti-government site that posts reports in
English on protests and industrial unrest.
Others
Gooya (Chat) http://www.gooya.com This is one of the most popular
Persian-language portals, with extensive links, including an agreement
with the BBC to display headline links and summaries from bbcpersian.com.
It produces some original reporting of its own.
Stop Censoring Us http://www.stop.censoring.us (in English) This was set
up by exiled journalist and blogger Hossein Derakhshan, who was
instrumental in the development of blogging in Persian. Although
infrequently updated, it documents the Iranian authorities' attempts to
harass bloggers and block websites. It also has a link to his own site,
http://www.hoder.com, which has his personal reflections on developments
in Iran.
Iran Scan http://www.iranscan.net Derakhshan is also involved in Iran
Scan 1384, an online forum in English in which Iranian pro-democracy
journalists and bloggers share their views of developments in the 2005
presidential election campaign.
Source: BBC Monitoring research 26 May 05 (via DXLD 5-088)
...............................................................
Other - MYANMAR
OPPOSITION RADIO DVB TO LAUNCH WEEKEND HOURLY TV PROGRAMMES |
Text of report by Burmese opposition radio on 22 May
Dear listeners. Democratic Voice of Burma [DVB] will commence
broadcasting its television programme from Saturday 28 May. This is to
inform listeners that they will be able to watch the DVB TV programme via
a satellite dish.
The TV programmes will be broadcast for an hour every Saturday and
Sunday. The programmes will be on air from 2000 to 2100 [1330 to 1430
gmt] on Saturday and from 1200 to 1300 [0530 to 0630 gmt] on Sunday.
The DVB TV programme can be received via the PAS 10 satellite, 68.5
degrees east, frequency 3940 vertical polarity with symbol rate 3000. In
order to allow the listeners to tune in to the satellite, the trial DVB
TV programmes will run from 2000 to 2030 [1330 to 1400 gmt] from Monday
[23 May] to Friday [27 May] via the PAS 10 satellite. The frequency is
3940 vertical polarity with symbol rate 3000. Viewers will be able to
watch DVB TV programmes from Saturday, 28 May, which will include local
and international Burmese news, news reports, music video, documentaries,
and other interesting issues.
Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 22 May 05
(via BBCM via DXLD 5-086)
RADIOSENDER NUN MIT EIGENEM FERNSEHPROGRAMM
BURMA NACHRICHTEN 10/2005, 31. Mai
Der oppositionsnahe Radiosender Democratioc Voice of Burma mit Sitz in
Norwegen hat mit der Ausstrahlung eines Fernsehprogramms in Burma
begonnen. Das Satellitenprogramm ist das erste burmesischsprachige
Programm, das vom Ausland nach Burma sendet. Der Sender wird 2 Stunden
pro Woche senden und will 1,5 bis 2 Millionen Satellitennutzer und bis zu
10 Millionen Zuschauer erreichen. Auf dem Programm sollen aktuelle
Nachrichten, Dokumentationen, Videomaterial, aber auch
Unterhaltungssendungen stehen.
Irrawaddy 27.05.05, Mizzima 25.05.05
(Burmalibrary Online May 31, 2005 via J.Lohuis-D for CRW)
DEMOCRATIC VOICE OF BURMA RADIO ADDS NEW FREQUENCY |
Text of report by Burmese opposition radio Democratic Voice of Burma web
site on 27 May
Dear listeners. As the Democratic Voice of Burma [DVB] is planning to
produce weekend TV programmes as well, DVB is adding a new radio
frequency to its evening programme for better clarity and reception. The
additional radio frequency for the evening broadcast is shortwave 19
meter band at 15480 KHz and will begin transmission from Saturday, 28
May.
DVB has already test broadcasted from this new metre band for a while and
discovered that the reception is much better than the existing
frequencies. That is why DVB will be regularly broadcasting its evening
programme from 19 metre band at 15480 KHz from 28 May onwards. DVB would
also like to urge its patrons to listen to the programme from this new
frequency.
In addition, DVB will continue to broadcast its evening programmes
unchanged from the usual frequencies at shortwave 16 and 49 meter bands.
Source: Democratic Voice of Burma web site, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 27
May 05 (via BBCM via DXLD 5-090)
[Background]
Burma's Shan Groups End Cease-fire with Government
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=D9CD48:36F128C
Shan State National Army and Shan State Army agreed to join forces at
base near the border with Thailand a few days ago Two of Burma's ethnic
Shan rebel groups have joined forces - one breaking a cease-fire with
the military government - as they step up their struggle for an
independent state. The move raises fears of renewed violence in Burma if
other rebel cease-fire agreements break down.
The Shan State National Army, or SSNA, and the Shan State Army agreed to
join forces at a base near the border with Thailand a few days ago.
The agreement between the two rebel groups ends the SSNA's decade-old
cease-fire pact with Burma's military government.
The SSNA accepted a cease-fire in 1995 on the condition that its troops
could keep their arms. But Burma's military this year called on the Shan
to disarm. In February, to add pressure, the military government arrested
several Shan leaders and charged them with treason.
At the ceremony marking the deal between the two Shan groups, SSNA leader
Colonel Sai Yi said "peaceful diplomacy had failed," so the SSNA decided
to work with the Shan State Army. The combined force will have as many
5,000 troops under arms.
Like many other ethnic minority groups in Burma, the Shan community has
fought for an independent state since Burma gained its independence in
1948.
Burma's military government had reached cease-fire agreements with about
17 of the country's rebel groups. Many of the agreements were reached in
talks with officials led by former Prime Minister Khin Nyunt. He was
ousted last year and now is under house arrest. Many regional experts say
they fear the more hard-line government now in place may be trying to
crack down on minority groups.
Debbie Stothard is coordinator for the rights group the Alternative ASEAN
Network on Burma. She says the deal between the Shan groups may be a
reaction to the crackdown.
"It's a very strong and telling development because it tells us that the
moderate Shans - the Shans more willing to compromise with the
military - have decided any benefits from the cease-fire have now been
eroded to the point where they were willing to go to war," she said.
Ms. Stothard says if Rangoon had released the Shan leaders, moderates
would have stood by the cease- fire. She now expects rising tensions
between ethnic groups and the military government. "It is quite possible
that the ethnic groups may take the gamble and see which way the cards
will fall if they take a stand against the military regime," she said.
Dr. Naing Aung, executive director of the Network for Development and
Democracy, a rights group based in Thailand, says the military hopes to
persuade smaller groups such as the Shan to sign cease-fires to put more
pressure on larger ethnic forces - such as the Karen, which does not have
a formal cease-fire agreement with the military. He thinks that plan will
fail.
"The other big ethnic groups that make the cease- fire are aware [of]
this development and they have a serious concern," said Dr. Aung. "As far
as I have heard most of the cease-fire groups - if they are forced to lay
down their arms without reaching an agreement, they will not do it."
Burma is under pressure from many governments, including the European
Union and the United States because of its poor human rights record and
its suppression of the pro-democracy opposition.
Burma says it is trying to gradually move toward democracy and in the
past year it has twice convened a national convention to draft a new
constitution. The SSNA originally took part in the convention, but has
withdrawn because of the pressure to disarm.
(VOANews.com Headlines May, 24, 2005 via H.Biener-D for CRW)
...............................................................
Other - SPAIN - HISTORY
ESTE DOMINGO 28 DE MAYO EMITIREMOS UN EXCELENTE TRABAJO REALIZADO POR RNE
(ESPAÑA) SOBRE LAS RADIOS CLANDESTINAS DURANTE LA EPOCA DE FRANCO.
Es muy importante para quienes hacen La Rosa --- conocer la opinión de
los escuchas. Sus mails con comentarios, críticas y sugerencias serán más
que bienvenidos en estas direcciones electrónicas:
dxradio@argentina.com sommaomar@argentina.com sommaomar@yahoo.com.ar
Ustedes pueden escuchar nuestro espacio en onda media, en los 1270 kHz,
con 50 kw o en Internet, haciendo "click" en
http://www.radioprovincia.gba.gov.ar
(H.A.Nigro-URG en Conexión Digital May 28, 2005 via DXLD 5-090)
...............................................................
Other - SOMALIA
Radio Horyaal
http://www.horyaal.net/ after a long time again works. But R Horyaal
audio still found solely on http://www.halganews.com/
(F.Krone-DNK May 21, 2005 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Other - SRI LANKA
TBC -London based Tamil radio station temporarily suspend broadcasting
due to alleged break-in.
London, 23 May (Asiantribune.com): Tamil Broadcasting Corporation, a
Tamil radio station based in London reports of the station temporarily
suspending its broadcasting services, as alleged saboteurs have broken
into TBC studio in the early hours of 22nd May 2005 and vital studio
equipments have been stolen and the cable connecting the up-linking
facility has been severed.
In a press release from the TBC it states: "The deliberate manner in
which the up-linking facility was severed point the finger towards a
terrorist organisation whose supporters have regularly issued death
threat to the TBC programmes director if he continues the TBC service."
"TBC administration strongly suspects that the banned terrorist group
LTTE instigated this break-in," statement adds.
TBC program director in the press release said that the readers may know
that the TBC is the only Radio station to broadcast impartial news and
provide a platform for alternate points of view.
He appealed: "We call upon the people, and all our listeners to protest
to the local LTTE office and demand them to publicly disassociate with
these criminal acts and condemn those who are engaged in these
activities."
http://www.asiantribune.com/show_news.php?id=14512
(Asian Tribune via A.Gupta-IND May 23, 2005 in BCL-News-ML)
ENDLF Terrorist’s Radio TBC
ENDLF Terrorist’s Radio TBC –London based Tamil radio stations
Temporarily suspend broadcasting due to alleged break-in. ENDLF
Terrorist’s Radio Tamil Broadcasting Corporation, a Tamil radio station
based in London reports of the station temporarily suspending its
broadcasting services, as alleged saboteurs have broken into TBC studio
in the early hours of 22nd May 2005 and vital studio equipments have been
stolen and the cable connecting the up-linking facility has been severed.
In a press release from the ENDLF Terrorist’s London Leader (Well Known
as Narcotics powder Business man Ram) Mr.Ramrajah states: “The deliberate
manner in which the up-linking facility was severed point the finger
towards a terrorist organisation whose supporters have regularly issued
death threat to the TBC programmes director if he continues the TBC
service.” But Oslo voice learned that it is an Internal Game to get
Insurance money from Uk Authority and did my Muhammad Irfan announcer
from this radio station.
ENDLF Terrorist’s London Leader (Well Known as Narcotics powder
Businessman Ram) Mr.Ramrajah was a member of PLOTE and an active member
of ENDLF who works with Karuna faction in the East. Atputhan Nadarajah
dedicated a full page to his atrocities over the people of Batticalow in
the days of IPKF in his Eelam history in the Thinamurasu weekly. It is
believed that the RAW with the help of Karuna/ENDLF faction and the Govt
Intel murdered Taraki for various reasons.
Taraki's indepth analysis of the incidents in the east and the Indian
perspective in that issue are clearly demonstrates that the India
directly or indirectly has a hand in the murder of Taraki.
(mathusena via T.Jaisakthivel-TN-IND May 24, 2005 for CRW)
[As usual - the article presents the personal opinion of the author. We
at CRW are neiter PRO or CONTRA Radio TBC. M.Schöch-CRW]
...............................................................
Other - TURK´MENISTAN
RFE/RL SITE REMOVED FROM INTERNET "FOR STRATEGIC REASONS"
A note on the website of US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
(RFE/RL) says that "For strategic reasons, the RFE/RL Turkmen site
[Azatradio.org] has been removed from the Internet." No other explanation
is given. However, in its country report on Turkmenistan for 2004, the US
Department of State noted that "In June, the Turkmen Telecom began
blocking customers' access to RFE/RL's Turkmen Service website; access
was not restored by year's end." http://www.azatradio.org now goes to the
English site.
(A.Sennit-HOL May 24, 2005 in Media Network blog via DXLD 5-086)
...............................................................
Other - USA
US AIR FORCE EXPANDS FLEET OF COMMANDO SOLO AIRCRAFT
Defense Industry Daily reports that Lockheed Martin Logistics Management
have received a $9.4 million contract modification that will allow the
Air Force Special Operations Command's 193rd Special Operations Wing at
Harrisburg International Airport, PA to have a seventh EC-130J Commando
Solo III aircraft assigned and modified to conduct Psychological
Operations, Combat Delivery or Command and Control missions.
The EC-130J Commando Solo III is a specially-modified C-130J Hercules
medium transport aircraft that conducts information operations,
psychological operations and civil affairs broadcasts in AM, FM, HF, TV
and military communications bands. These missions are flown and run by
the the 193rd Special Operations Wing, an Air National Guard Unit.
Commando Solo was used prior to and during military operations in Iraq,
and more recently for broadcasts to Cuba.
Read the full story
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2005/05/94m-for-another-ec130j-flying
-broadcaster/index.php
(A.Sennit-HOL may 16, 2005 in Media Network blog via DXLD 5-082)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Feedback xxxxxxxxxx----------------------
Global Crisis Watch
Dirty little secret: it is now the rule rather than the exception that
stations do not actually have a live human being monitoring their own
output at all times, especially off-the-air rather than program-feed-out;
of course, if a station does not care to listen to itself, it may be a
bit presumptious to assume that anyone else will want to.
A parallel telling situation is when hosts of a program let it slip that
they have not been paying attention to their own commercial breaks.
Indeed, many do not even pretend to listen to or watch their own
commercials --- ''As X was telling me during the break...''. Well, guess
what? 99% sure I muted or zapped the ads myself. Indeed, while watching
DSC's Return to Flight last night, I had time to play back most of the
paused Global Crisis Watch file during breaks; see SAUDI ARABIA
(G.Hauser-OK-USA May 16, 2005 in DXLD 5-082)
As for Global Crisis Watch, after this story, about 9 minutes into the
file, they went on to deal with V. of Justice, Iran --- where there is no
justice, or rather, someone from the Iran of Tomorrow movement; from 22
minutes, about China, with someone from Sound of Hope, phone interviews;
being a podcast rather than a broadcast, 37 minutes odd length doesn't
matter
(G.Hauser-OK-USA May 16, 2005 in DXLD 5-082)
...............................................................
Re : SAUDI ARABIA [CRW 182 Extra]
Tsk, tsk, Ludo Maes' TDP Shortwave Airtime page
http://www.airtime.be/whose.html carries a link to Radio Tajdeed,
http://www.tajdeed.net/ as well as to Radio Islah
http://www.islahi.net/ altho no SW broadcasts have materialized.
(G.Hauser-USA May 16, 2005 in DXLD 5-082)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Sources xxxxxxxxxx----------------------
Contributors: Anker Petersen, Hansjörg Biener, Jürgen Lohuis,
T.Jaisakthivel, Wolfgang Büschel
In order to unsubscribe please login to www.clandestineradio.com or to
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