Clandestine Radio Watch 201
--------------xxxxxxxxxx CRW 201 xxxxxxxxxx--------------
CLANDESTINE RADIO WATCH 201
February 28, 2006
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.globalcrisiswatch.com/
Martin Schoech, Editor in Chief, Eisenach, East Germany
Nick Grace, CRW Washington & CRC, Washington, DC, USA
Richard Lafayette, CRW Midwest, Stillwater, MN, USA
Marwan Soliman, CRW Middle East
Takuya Hirayama, CRW Japan
------------xxxxxxxxxx Breaking News xxxxxxxxxx----------------
BELARUS : Analysis: EC-funded media broadcasting to Belarus, adequate
delivery platforms?
...............................................................
BELARUS : Analysis: EC-funded media broadcasting to Belarus, adequate
delivery platforms?
According to the European Commission (EC), media freedom and access to
independent information sources have been undermined by "a pattern of
systematic repression" by the Belarusian government. In response, the
European Union and Poland are funding new radio, television and internet
sources, signalling a resurgence of media broadcasting into Belarus. The
following is an editorial analysis by Len Walker of BBC Monitoring Media
Services on 16 February:
To counter the "tight administrative control" of Belarusian state-owned
media and "increasing pressure" on independent journalists, the EC has
selected a consortium of companies to implement a two-year, two million
euro (2.3m US dollars) project to increase the Belarusian population's
access to "independent ... news and analysis" by radio, television and
internet news sources. The EC has said these broadcasts will "definitely"
commence before the presidential elections, scheduled on 19 March, but
are not likely to reach full strength until some time after the
elections.
Media environment
In its 2006 report "Freedom in the World," Freedom House rated Belarus as
"not free" in regard to political rights and civil liberties. The
watchdog reports that state media is controlled, content biased in favour
of the government. There is a culture of self-censorship, owing to
government attacks on independent media. Belarusian opposition forces
have accused official media of creating an "information vacuum" ahead of
the 2006 presidential election. According to a January 2006 survey of
Belarusian media coverage of the election campaign, carried out by the
Belarusian Association of Journalists, official newspapers such as
Sovetskaya Belorussiya allocated less then one per cent of their space to
opposition candidates' materials. The survey reported regional official
newspapers "did not publish any materials about any other candidates
other then President Lukashenka."
According to a poll by the Institute for Sociopolitical Research, 90 per
cent of Belarusians said that "TV is the most important source of
information". Media observers report that cities such as Hrodna and
Brest, close to western borders have better access to foreign TV channels
than in Minsk. Many Belarusians living in Minsk have access to Russian
and other foreign TV via cable or satellite, but in the provinces there
is considerably less access to foreign TV.
For many Belarusians, Russian electronic and print media are the only
alternatives to the Belarus regime's media. The Belapan news agency
reported in December 2004 that 42.7 per cent of Belarusians rely on
Russian media.
Officials have viewed this alternative source as a threat. On 23 March
2004, the Belarusian embassy in Moscow expressed concern over Russian
media's "provocative comments..." Russian television, rebroadcast in
Belarus, is occasionally subject to suspensions and censorship.
Internet sites within Belarus are under control of the government's State
Centre on Information Security. The government at times censors and
blocks independent web sites, particularly during pre-election periods,
says Freedom House. Independent information is posted by some opposition
groups and journalists in Belarus and from abroad. The use of RFE/RL's
web site in Belarusian is "rapidly growing", according to Czech news
agency CTK.
Broadcasting to Belarus
Other than religious broadcasters, few international radio stations
broadcast to Belarus. Belarus has been a target of US-government funded
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) since the cold war. Other
international broadcasters that broadcast in Belarusian include Radio
Sweden and Radio Polonia.
Private broadcasters located in adjacent countries have beamed programmes
to Belarusia.
Radio Racja (Reason), with studios in Bialystok, Poland began
broadcasting in 1999. Dr Biener, of Radio for Peace, Democracy and Human
Rights, says the station used a variety of frequencies to broadcast to
the Belarusian community in the east of Poland and to Belarus, before
going bankrupt in autumn 2002.
Radio Baltic Waves (RBW) is a private broadcaster based in Vilnius,
Lithuania. According to Dr Beiner, the station began broadcasting in
January 2000 and wanted to unite all existing Belarusian radio
broadcasters on a single frequency. Its mission was to "...deliver
uncensored news..." The station has been subject to complaints from the
Belarusian government.
RBW said in February 2006 that it relayed programmes from RFE/RL, Voice
of Russia, Radio Polonia, China Radio International and Deutsche Welle
(DW) on 612 kHz mediumwave.
EC, Polish diplomatic initiatives
RFE/RL Media Matters reported in January 2006 that under the terms of a
EC tender won by DW Radio, a pilot contract to broadcast to Belarus
started in November 2005. The contract is worth 138,000 euros (165,000 US
dollars) annually, according to RFE/RL. The broadcast can also be found
on the internet.
Controversially, DW chose to make these broadcasts almost exclusively in
the Russian language.
Polish news agency PAP reported in August 2005 that former Polish Prime
Minister Belka had allocated 950,000 zlotys (298,000 US dollars) to
support Polish NGOs establishing a radio station to broadcast in
Belarusian. In January 2006, PAP reported the independent station would
broadcast programmes in Belarusian and Polish, "mainly addressed to
Belarus's Polish minority."
In February 2006, PAP reported Radio Racja from Bialystok was preparing
to launch on 15 February, hobbyists speculating that a mediumwave
transmitter would initially be used to reach central and eastern Belarus.
An FM frequency would be added to broadcast to ethnic Belarusians in
Poland and into Belarus "soon", according to PAP.
In January 2006, a EU press release announced the selected consortium to
increase access in Belarus to independent media sources included, among
others, Media Consulta, European Radio for Belarus, RBW and the private,
Russian-language satellite television station, RTVi (Russian Television
International).
Broadcasts will be divided between Belarusian and Russian languages.
EC-sponsored consortium
RBW said they will "start" to relay programmes from European Radio for
Belarus (in Belarusian: Yewrapeyskaye Radyyo diya Belarusi) between
0800-1000 "local time" on 612 kHz mediumwave. The European Radio for
Belarus web site - www.belradio.fm - includes streaming audio. RBW added
that RTVi would produce a weekly programme focussed on Belarus. The
Digital Media Europe web site reports European Radio for Belarus will
also broadcast via satellite.
In an interview with journalist Mikalay Markevich, published on 18
January 2006, Belorusskaya Delovaya Gazeta reported that the two radio
stations (European Radio for Belarus and Radio Racja) will cover "three
quarters" of Belarus, and the satellite channel (RTVi) "will reach one
million people". However, Markevich acknowledged that the project will
not be at its most effective until all of its components (radio, TV,
internet portal and publishing house) get off the ground.
Mosnews.com web site speculates that concerns by Belarusian authorities
about the destabilizing influence of Western media is possibly unfounded.
A study commissioned by DW revealed 83 per cent of Belarusians had never
listened to DW Russian-language broadcasts.
With the trend in audiences listening only to FM frequencies, media
observers speculate that the radio project could face difficulty in
gaining a large audience if it is not heard with good reception across
Belarus, and especially in the capital Minsk.
Source: BBC Monitoring research 16 Feb 06 (BBCM Feb 16, 2006)
Lithuanian radio preparing to lauch broadcasts to Belarus
Text of report in English by Lithuanian news agency BNS website on 23
February
With presidential elections coming up in Belarus, free speech will be
broadcast from neighbouring Lithuania and Poland to the authoritarian
regime-controlled country.
Radio station Radio Racja, funded by the Polish government, started
operating in the Polish city of Bialystok on Wednesday [22 February]. It
will broadcast two-hour programmes on medium waves every evening.
Vilnius-based radio station Znad Wilii, which is also available in
Belarus' border regions, will re-broadcast a part of programmes on FM
waves.
In the future, Radio Racja is planned to broadcast programmes from
Bialystok on FM waves and on its website.
Meanwhile, an international media concern, funded by the European
Commission, which will also involve Lithuania-based Baltic Waves Radio,
is preparing for beaming broadcasts to Belarus, which is scheduled to
start on 26 February.
"Using transmitters in Vilnius, we will start re-broadcasting programmes
using 612 kHz channels on AM waves every day from 0800 to 0900 [0600-0700
gmt]," Rimantas Pleikys, the head of Baltic Waves Radio, has told BNS.
The European Commission has reported that the hour-long broadcast Window
on Europe will be prepared in Belarusian and Russian. The broadcast will
give much attention to the youth, with news broadcasts and reportages to
be arranged from Belarus and Europe. The broadcasts will include music,
political, economic, and cultural reports, sport, news, weather
forecasts. Listeners and the studio will be linked by an interactive
telephone line.
A tender on 2m euro funding for independent news broadcasts, announced by
the European Commission in late January, has been won by a consortium
headed by Germany's Media Consult. The winning consortium also includes
European Radio for Belarus from Poland, Baltic Waves Radio from
Lithuania, Russian TV company RTVi, independent journalists and
representatives of Belarusian civil and non-governmental organizations.
Since January 2000, Baltic Waves Radio has been broadcasting original
programmes to Belarus and re-broadcasting Radio Free Europe's
Belarusian-language programme. Baltic Waves Radio broadcasts have
infuriated the official Minsk on a number of occasions.
The project will last for two years. The European Commission pledges to
keep away from the consortium's editing policy.
In March, Belarus will hold presidential elections, in which Alyaksandr
Lukashenka will run for a third term. Since his coming to power in 1994,
Lukashenka has been systematically restricting the press and the
opposition, forcing many journalists and civil activists to emigrate.
Several opposition figures and journalists have been reported missing in
Belarus.
Source: BNS news agency website, Vilnius, in English 23 Feb 06 (BBCM Feb
23, 2006)
Belarus/Poland: EU-funded radio starts broadcasting
The EU-funded station European Radio for Belarus started operation on 26
February. This is available round-the-clock live on the internet from
their website at www.belradio.fm and on the Hot Bird 6 satellite at 13
degrees East, 11013 MHz, horizontal polarization, symbol rate 27500.
The daily 60-minute "Window to Europe" programme was aired at 0600-0700
gmt and was confirmed on Monday 27 February. The broadcaster was noted
tuning in with the words, "European radio for Belarus" followed by 10
seconds of Scottish pipe band music playing the tune, Highland Cathedral.
This programme is produced in Poland and transmitted on 612 kHz
mediumwave from Lithuania, as well as being available on demand from
their website.
Other programming is mainly comprised of western pop music, with
five-minute news bulletins on the hour and news headlines 30 minutes past
the hour, though times can vary by up to five minutes.
Source: BBC Monitoring research, in Belarusian 1105 gmt 26 Feb 06 (BBCM
Feb 23, 2006)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Schedules xxxxxxxxxx--------------------
Schedules - BELARUS
Two stations broadcasting in Belarusian from Poland to Belarus are due to
be aired partly also on MW:
1. Radio Racja (Belarusian: Radyjo Racyja) with studio in Bialystok,
Poland will broadcast daily 1700-1900 UTC via Koszecin 1080 kHz 350kW
from today 22 February.
2. European Radio for Belarus (Belarusian: Eúrapejskaje Radyjo dlia
Belarusi) with studio in Warsaw, which already is available via
webcasting at http://www.belradio.fm , will be carried daily by Radio
Baltic Waves in Vilnius on 612 kHz 100kW at 0600-0700, starting 26
February.
(B.Trutenau-LTU Feb 22, 2006 in mwdx-ML)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Logs xxxxxxxxxx-------------------------
Logs - CAMEROON
Radio Free Southern Cameroons
11840 R.Free Southern Cameroons Feb 19 1814-1835 35333-35322 English,
Talk, ID at 1824 and 1833.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 19, 2006 in JAP 409)
11840 Radio Free Southern Cameroons via Armavir. Feb.19. 18:30-1859*
Noted at tune-in with strong to fair signal, with a program in English.
During this commentary talked about standing up for Independence and
supporting democratic rights in the Cameroon's. Noted a nice ID @ 1839 as
'you are listening to excerpts from ...on Radio Free Southern
Cameroon..tune in next week...' Then followed High Life African Vocals(
in vernaculars) to 1858. Nice ID as 'you are listening to Radio Free
Southern Cameroon...same time, next week...' off with drums and some sort
of anthem to 1859 sign-off.
(E.Kusalik-AB-CAN Feb 20, 2006 for CRW)
11840 Radio Free Southern Cameroon, 1800-1807, February 26, English,
s/on, ID as: "This is Radio Free Southern Cameroon", anthem (or song),
Announcement and talk in english, 35443.
(A.Slaen-ARG Feb 26, 2006 in DXplorer-ML)
R. Free Southern Cameroon, 11840 via Russia, *1800-1859* Feb 26, sign-on
with English ID, sked, choral anthem. English talk about freedom in
southern Cameroon. African hi-life music, local choral music. 1858 ID,
lite instrumental music to sign-off. Poor to fair in noisy conditions.
Sundays only
(B.Alexander-PA-USA Feb 26, 2006 in DXLD 6-039)
...............................................................
Logs - CHINA
Sound of Hope
11765 Sound of Hope Radio Network, 16:42-16:50, escuchada el 19 de
febrero en mandarín a locutor y locutora con comentarios, se aprecia
fuerte interferencia de jammer China con música de la Ópera de China,
SINPO 42332.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 19, 2006 for CRW)
Sound of Hope (t) 7310 at 1350 on 2/25. Weak in Asian language (listed
for Mandarin) and off at 1400 per EiBi.
(G.Dexter-WI-USA Feb 25, 2006 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - CUBA
Radio República
7110, Radio Republica, 0329-0346 Feb 13, man announcer with Spanish Talk
and ID at 0329, another ID by a woman followed by the start of another
discussion program. Fair to good.
(R.D'Angelo-PA-USA Feb 13, 2006 in DXplorer-ML)
Jamming en 6010: A pesar de que "Radio República" dejó de emitir hace
aproximadamente tres semanas en los 6010 kHz, continúa el "jamming"
proveniente de Cuba y que sólo afecta en este caso a XEOI Radio Mil.
Escuchado con buena intensidad en la Ciudad de México. Me parece un gran
desperdicio de energía por parte de la Radio Cubana; confiemos en que
pronto suspendan los amigos cubanos este "jamming" advirtiendo que ya
Radio República no emite en esta frecuencia y permitan que Radio Mil
salga al aire sin "jamming" de las 0000 hasta las 0200 UT.
(J.Santiago Díez de Bonilla-DF-MEX Feb 16, 2006 in DXLD 6-032)
Radio República entrando como un cañon por Venezuela a las 01:30 UTC en
la frecuencia 7159 kHz con el programa Barrio Adentro, donde se recordaba
el derribo de aviones de Hermanos al Rescate por parte del gobierno
cubano.
(J.Elías Díaz Gómez-VEN Feb 27, 2006 in NoticiasDX-ML)
Controlando a las 0256 TU la encuentro en precisamente 7160.0. Los
transmisores de Alemania no suelen variar sus frecuencias como tal.
(G.Hauser-OK-USA Feb 27, 2006 in NoticiasDX-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - ERITREA
Voice of Delina
7560 Voice of Delina, 18:00-18:10, escuchada el 19 de febrero en tigrina
con sintonía y locutora con identificación, locutor con comentarios y
referencias a Delina, segmento de música folklórica, SINPO 45433.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 19, 2006 for CRW)
Voice of Democratic Eritrea
9820 V.o. Democratic Eritrea, 17:05-17:15, escuchada el 23 de febrero en
tigrina con segmento musical y locutor con comentarios, SINPO 45444
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 23, 2006 for CRW)
Voice of Eritrea
9485 V. of Eritrea Feb 11 *1600-1610 35433-35333 Tigrigna, 1600 sign on
with IS, ID, Drum's music, Talk and Eritrean pops music, //Sat only.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 11, 2006 in JAP 408)
Voice of Liberty
9485 Voice of Liberty, 16:32-16:40, escuchada el 19 de febrero en tigrina
a locutor con comentarios y referencias a la democracia, segmento de
música instrumental y locutora con comentarios, SINPO 45444.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 19, 2006 for CRW)
Voice of Peace and Democracy of Eritrea
5500 V. of Peace & Democracy Feb 28 *1414-1424 25332 Tigrigna, 1414 sign
on with IS, ID, Opening music, Opening announce, Talk.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 28, 2006 in JAP 411)
...............................................................
Logs - ETHIOPIA
Radio Voice of ENUF
7590 Radio Voice of ENUF, 17:05-17:10, escuchada el 19 de febrero en
amharico a locutor con comentarios, SINPO 42242.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 19, 2006 for CRW)
Voice of Oromo Liberation
9820 Voice of Oromo Liberation, escuchada el 19 de febrero en oromo a
locutora con comentarios y referencias a Oromo, SINPO 54454.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 19, 2006 for CRW)
7590 V.o. Oromo Liberation, 17:00-17:05, escuchada el 23 de febrero en
oromo con sintonía y locutor con identificación, boletín de noticias con
referencias a Oromía, SINPO 43343
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 23, 2006 for CRW)
...............................................................
Logs - GAMBIA
Save The Gambia Democracy Project / Voices from the Diaspora
V. of the Diaspora, 9405 via Germany, *2000-2030* Feb 11; sign-on with
local African music, then English sign-on announcements with ID. Talk
about Gambia election results. Some talk in vernacular. Local children`s
chorus at sign-off. F-G; Sat only.
(B.Alexander-PA-USA Feb 11, 2006 via G.Hauser-USA in DXLD-ML)
9405 Voices from the Diaspora, 20:00-20:10, escuchada el 18 de febrero en
ingles, sintonía y locutor con identificación, comentarios con
referencias a Gambia, SINPO 54544.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 18, 2006 for CRW)
...............................................................
Logs - IRAN
Radio Farda
1575 R. Farda UAE Dhabbaya 2-14 2344 P dance mx, "Radio Farda"
(M.Procop-OH-USA Feb 14, 2006 in AMFMTVDX-ML)
R. Farda-1575 UAE: One of the best signals ever from this one. Consistent
S-9 + 10 signal with no serious fading 2301-2330 UTC. Best in USB to
avoid splatter from unusually loud CFAV-1570 (which I should have
phase-nulled but for some reason didn't.) A nice surprise - given
mediocre conditions of late, I was not expecting much.
(M.DeLorenzo-MA-USA Feb 25, 2006 in IRCA-ML)
Radio International
7490 Radio International, 17:43-18:00, escuchada el 20 de febrero en
farsi a locutora con entrevista a invitado, segmento de música pop local,
locutora con ID "Radio Internatinal... Teheran", entrevista a invitada,
referencias a Irán, SINPO 44444
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 20, 2006 for CRW)
Voice of Iranian Revolution
4375.9 V. of Iranian Revolution Feb 28 *1424-1433 35333-32442 Kurdish,
1424 sign on with IS, ID, Opening music, Opening announce, Talk.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 28, 2006 in JAP 411)
...............................................................
Logs - ISRAEL
Voice of Islamic Palestinian Revolution
7205 Voice of Islamic Palestinian Revolution via IRIB, 0332-0336,
February 26, Arabic, news bulletin by male, 34433 //9505 kHz with 22432.
(A.Slaen-ARG Feb 26, 2006 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - KASHMIR
Voice of Jammu Kashmir Freedom
5102 V. of Jammu Kashmir Freedom Feb 23 *1300-1310 44444 Kashmiri, 1300
sign on with opening music, ID, Koran, Talk.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 23, 2006 in JAP 411)
...............................................................
Logs - KOREA (NORTH)
Echo of Hope
3985 Echo of Hope 1332-1348 Feb. 17. Techno-pop tunes, male and female
announcers // 6348. Both freqs jammed but both freqs easily readable
above the jamming.
(J.Wilkins-CO-USA Feb 17, 2006 in DXplorer-ML)
Shiokaze / Sea Breeze
5890 Shiokaze(p) 1422-1500* Feb 16. Soft-spoken ancr in JP to 1428; then
piano mx transitioning to 1430 program, with more JP talk following.
Signal was not very strong so could not tell if the pre-1430 and
post-1430 programs were part of the same xmsn, but I don't think they
are. Via Irkutsk.
(J.Wilkins-CO-USA Feb 17, 2006 in DXplorer-ML)
5890 Shiokaze, 19:18-19:30, escuchada el 20 de febrero en koreano a
locutor con comentarios, fuertemente interferida por la Voz de Rusia en
francés por 5895, se aprecia señal jammer?, se parece al sonido de una
flauta chillona, al finalizar música de piano, SINPO 32332.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 20, 2006 for CRW)
5890 Shiokaze (via Irkutsk) *1359-1458* Feb 21. Carrier on at 1359, then
piano music to 1400 ID sounding like "Kochirawa Shiokaze" and opening
comments, including frequency anmts and 2 more ID's; xmsn in JP ended at
1429 with the same piano music, followed by EG xmsn at 1430 and this ID:
"This is Shiokaze, Sea Breeze, from Tokyo, Japan. This is a radio
program...?..." followed by more opening comments and mentions of North
Korea and a couple more ID's; at 1433 launched into The List, apparently
the same list on the website noted in Feb. 5 RDXP. Is each xmsn is
exactly the same, i.e. reading this same list? Fair at 1400, but slowly
losing ground and almost gone by 1458 xmsn end. Carrier went off at 1501.
(J.Wilkins-CO-USA Feb 21, 2006 in DXplorer-ML)
Voice of the People
3912 Voice of the People 1300-1309 Feb. 17. Presumed with YL talks in
Korean // to 6600. Both freqs jammed and copy was rough. Sometimes the
signal overrides the jammer but not today.
(J.Wilkins-CO-USA Feb 17, 2006 in DXplorer-ML)
...............................................................
Logs - KURDISTAN
Voice of Iraqui Kurdistan
6335 V. of Iraqi Kurdistan Feb 18 1432-1443 35333-33333 Arabic, Talk and
music, ID at 1439.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 18, 2006 in JAP 409)
6335 Voice of Iraqui Kurdistan, 0432-0437, February 19, Kurdish, long
talk by male, 25432
(A.Slaen-ARG Feb 19, 2006 in CDX-ML)
6335 V. of Iraqi Kurdistan Feb 23 1431-1442 35333 Arabic, Music, ID at
1432.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 23, 2006 in JAP 411)
6335 V. of Iraqi Kurdistan Feb 28 1433-1450 35333 Arabic, Arabic
music,etc, ID at 1444.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 28, 2006 in JAP 411)
Voice of Mesopotamia
11530 V. of Mesopotamia Feb 18 0730-0750 35433 Kurdish, Talk and music,
ID at 0735.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 18, 2006 in JAP 409)
11530 Dengue Mezopotamía, 14:50-15:00, escuchada el 19 de febrero en
kurdo a locutora con entrevista telefónica a invitado, constantes
proclamas políticas, segmento de música militar y luego canciones de
música folklórica local, identificación, SINPO 45444.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 19, 2006 for CRW)
7590 Dengue Mezopotamía, 15:02-15:15, escuchada el 19 de febrero en kurdo
con programa musical con canciones pop local, locutor con ID "...Dengue
Mezopotamía", anuncian frecuencias y página web, nueva ID " Dengue
Mezopotamía Radyoya", locutor
con comentarios, SINPO 43343.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 19, 2006 for CRW)
...............................................................
Logs - LAOS
Hmong Lao Radio,
15105 Hmong Lao Radio, 1304 1311, Feb 25, Hmong, Comments or news by
female announcer, ID ?...Hmong Lao Radio?, 24442.
(N.Eramo-ARG Feb 25, 2006 for CRW)
For the last few months this has been Sat & Sun 1400-1500 on 11785 via
WHRI. I believe they once used 15105 at this hour. Current WHR online
schedule still shows HLR only as above on 11785, and 15105 only used at
16-19. Looking at EiBi 15105 listings, all we find at this hour is
Romania in English, tho he also has WHRI at 14-15 Sat/Sun in English,
contrary to the WHR website. Also, BBC Ascension to WAf, but not until
1330 in English, 1345 in Hausa
(G,Hauser-USA Mar 1, 2006 in DXLD 6-038)
...............................................................
Logs - LIBYA
Sowt Alamel / Libya's Voice of Hope
17665 Sowt Alamel Feb 15 1237-1301 33443-34443-34433 Arabic, Arabic music
and talk, ID at 1238 and 1250 etc.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 15, 2006 in JAP 409)
Sowt al-Amel program for Libya. A few observations- The program keeps
using various frequencies around 17660, most recently 17665. I start
checking at 1145 and hear an open carrier with no tones. In spite of the
transmitter being on early, the program also seems to start late, that
is, after 1200, but only about a minute or so late. Since it starts late,
it just comes on with the program already in progress. There is also an
open carrier on 17660 that transmits 1,000 hz tones, which I am told is a
sign on process used by the Libyans in the past. This transmitter will
come on at 1200 and then plays Arabic music.
From Florida, I can only occasionally hear noise jamming against the
Sowt Al-Amel program on the various frequencies it uses. I have not
been able to
hear the African music programs in this range as of late.
(H.Johnson-FL-USA Feb 16 (?), 2006 in CDX-ML)
Today (Feb.16) Sowt al-Amel was again using 17680 at 1200+. Observer
(Bulgaria) says this is via Grigoriopol-Moldova and it is heard at very
good strength here. Co-channel today I could hear - weakly underneath -
Arabic/Libyan style music but not Afro-pops. A bubble jammer was also
heard on/off plus a tone. On 17660 could be heard "Idha`at al Jamahiriya
al Ozma" which also opens at 1200 with Libyan anthem and Libyan style
music programme. This was also very strong today. When the Libyan SW
transmitters went off air they didn't sound like this, and my suggestion
is that it could be via a Russian (or Commonwealth) site. I haven't heard
tones via France so it may not be another Issoudun relay.
The Afro-pop station was heard on air when I re-tuned 17680 around 1405,
and again at very good strength. There is a weak co-channel (Chile?) and
some crackle in audio. Gabon is suspected ex. 17630. This was on air at
good strength today past 1200 (when no Afro-pops audible) but is not on
air on 17630 at 1405+.
(N.R.Green-G Feb 16, 2006 in CDX-ML)
CLANDESTINA 17680 Sawt Al-amal, 12:48-13:18, árabe, ID y comentarios, Mx,
SINPO 42342
CLANDESTINA 17685 Sawt Al-amal, 13:18-14:00, árabe, ID, comentarios, Mx,
SINPO 54454
JAMMER 17660 Idha`at al Jamahiriya al Ozma, 13:18-14:00, Mx árabe, SINPO
54554
JAMMER 17680 NO ID, 13:18-15:30, Mx afro-pop, SINPO 54454.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 16, 2006 in CDX-ML)
Saludos cordiales, chequeando a Sawt Al-amal hoy emitiendo por 17680
acompañada por la emisión de música afro-pop, la castiga fuertemente, por
otra parte se aprecia en 17675 una portadora muy fuerte, en días pasados
no se apreció señal alguna en ésta frecuencia, una vez mas en 17660 la
emisora con música árabe, buena señal, pero sin interferir a R. Int de
China en 17650, a las 13:00 entra AWR en vietnamita por 17670, la señal
no es muy buena y no se aprecia que sea afectada por la portadora.
A las 13:18 Sawt Al-amal cambia de frecuencia a 17685, en 17680 se
producen cortes en la emisión de música afro y al mismo tiempo desaparece
la fuerte portadora en 17675, a las 13:35 se aprecia una señal de pulsos
muy fuerte en 17685 abarcando hasta los 17687, parecía una sierra, a las
13:37 aparece otra vez la fuerte portadora en 17675, tras unos minutos
con la nueva señal interfiriendo en 17685, desaparece y se escucha muy
fuerte y nítidamente a Sawt Al-amal, con ID a las 13:52 y a las 13:58, a
las 14:01 termina la emisión de Sawt Al-amal en 17685 y la emisión de
música árabe en 17660, sólo queda en 17680 la emisión de música afro y la
fuerte portadora en 17675, que se prolonga hasta las 14:12 que cortan
bruscamente, a partir de ahí sólo la emisión de música afro con fuerte
señal y libre de interferencias. Sin embargo a las 14:30 aparece otra vez
la fuerte portadora en 17675. A las 14:38 un silencio de un minuto en
17680 y se reanuda la emisión. A las 14:57 desaparece otra vez la
portadora en 17675 reapareciendo 15:02. A las 15:30 termina la emisión de
música afro en 17680, sin embargo la portadora en 17675 continua.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 16, 2006 for CRW)
Saludos cordiales, hoy no e podido chequear tan ampliamente las
frecuencias de Sawt Al-amal y las adyacentes, pero a las 13:20 en un
chequeo rápido e podido observar en 17660 la emisión de música árabe con
la misma fuerza de días anteriores, en 17675 estaba Sawt Al-amal
acompañada por la portadora del día anterior y apenas interferida por la
emisión Afro-pop que permanecía en 17680, sin embargo un chequeo
posterior, a las 13:43 se observa que en 17660 ya no transmite la Jammer
con música árabe y por el contrario si se escucha a Radio Waaberi en
somalí con un SINPO 44333, finalizando su emisión a las 14:00, Sawt
Al-amal siempre acompañada de la fuerte portadora nos dá un SINPO 44444,
y la emisión Afro-pop en 17680 un SINPO 55555, compruebo momentáneamente
en 17650 a R. Int de China en francés con SINPO 54433 y en 17670 a la AWR
en vietnamita con pobre señal, dando un SINPO 23222, poco después de
terminar la transmisión de Radio Waaberi, termina la transmisión de Sawt
Al-amal, quedando en solitario la transmisión en 17680 con muy buena
señal, poco después desaparece la portadora en 17675.
Desconozco en que frecuencia empezó a transmitir hoy Sawt Al-amal, pero
sospecho haya ocurrido lo de ayer, que empezó en 17680 y luego se haya
cambiado a 17675, quizás alguien pueda confirmar en que frecuencia empezó
hoy a transmitir Sawt Al-amal.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 17, 2006 for CRW)
Sowt Al Amel has now started playing an interval signal. It was just a
bit of music repeated and lasted about 2 minutes at *1200. Then the
program started. This was repeated again at 1300 (I would guess that it
is simply a one hour program that is repeated.) The station was on 17670
today. I did check via a DX Tuner in Europe and heard presumed ANO from
Gabon playing music at 1302 on 17670. (H.Johnson-FL-USA Feb 17, 2006 in
CDX-ML)
Saludos cordiales, espero estén bien, la situación de hoy es mas que
curiosa, pero haber si alguien puede comprobar ciertas novedades:
18 Febrero
17660 NO ID, emisión música árabe.
17670 Idha`at al Jamahiriya al Ozma, locutor y locutora con comentarios
en árabe, constantes identificaciones, señal muy fuerte.
17670 NO ID, emisión de música afro-pop, señal fuerte pero no puede con
la emisora árabe.
17675 Sawt Al-amal, buena señal, libre de interferencias, locutor y
locutora, comentarios, ID.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 18, 2006 for CRW)
Saludos cordiales, lo acontecido hoy se resume de la siguiente manera:
A las 12:53 en un chequeo rápido, se observa en 17660 la emisión de
música árabe, sin ninguna identificación, con muy buena señal y libre de
interferencias, terminando su emisión a las 14:00.
A la misma hora en 17670 se escucha a Sawt Al-amal, con buena señal e
interferida por la música afo-pop, pero sin llegar a anularla, sin
embargo a las 13:07 cambia de frecuencia y se observa que está emitiendo
en 17675, levemente interferida y con fuerte señal. Curiosamente en 17670
queda la emisora con música afro-pop y otra emisora emitiendo en árabe,
tras unos minutos de desconcierto, escucho varias identificaciones de
Idha`at al Jamahiriya al Ozma, con locutor y locutora, comentarios y
segmentos de música árabe. Ésta situación se mantiene hasta las 13:35,
entonces la emisora de música afo-pop cambia de frecuencia y pasa a
17680. En esos momentos la situación queda de la siguiente manera:
17660 NO ID, emisora con música árabe.
17670 Idha`at al Jamahiriya al Ozma, con locutor y locutora, comentarios
y música árabe.
17675 Sawt Al-amal, con la programación normal, canto del Corán e
identificación.
17680 NO ID, emitiendo música afro-pop.
A las 14:00, terminan todas las transmisiones a excepción de la emisión
de música en 17680.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 18, 2006 for CRW)
17670 Sawt Al-amal, 12:53-13:07, escuchada el 18 de febrero en árabe a
locutor y locutora con comentarios, se aprecia emisión de música afro-pop
en la misma frecuencia, aunque la castiga fuertemente no acaba de
anularla, SINPO 53433.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 18, 2006 for CRW)
17675 Sawt Al-amal, 13:43-14:00, escuchada el 16 de febrero en árabe a
locutor con comentarios, canto coránico, identificación y sintonía, SINPO
44444
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 18, 2006 for CRW)
17675 Sawt Al-amal, 13:07-14:00, escuchada el 18 de febrero en árabe,
locutora con programa, comentarios, canto del Corán, sintonía e
identificación, SINPO 54544.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 18, 2006 for CRW)
Hello Dxers, today 18/2/06 , around 13.00 UTC checking the situation of
Saut Alamal and here's what I found :
17.675 kHz is having Saut Alamal in the clear with no jamming today. the
programs are the same as I heard them on 10/2/06 the same program of a
woman talking about the situation in Libya and the battle of freedom
against the regime.
17.670 the afro pop station is on as usual with no ID but suddenly around
13.19 UTC they went off the air!! so I managed to get an underneath
arabic station broadcasting a program about the treasures of our
home.....the lady introducing the program sounds the same lady giving the
ID of Idhaat al Jamaheriya al o'zma on the non stop arabic music 17.660
kHz waiting for an ID to make my conclution clear. 13.25 a program about
the women's health talking about that time of the month for women!!!!!! I
didn't manage to get an ID as I had to go out :(
17.660 kHz is having Idhaat al jamaheriya al O'zma with the non stop
arabic songs.
around 14.15 UTC I noticed that the afro pop station moved to 17.680 kHz
!
(T.Zeidan-EGY Feb 18, 2006 in DXLD-ML)
Checking Saut AlAmal today 20/2/2006 around 12.01 UTC, I noticd that they
moved to 17.680 kHz sign in with a music, followed by Quran recitation,
then adifferent program content than the ones I used to hear for almost
all the last week, several IDs by OM around 12.25 UTC with alot of
talking about the current situation in Libya and criticizing to the
Libyan regime, poem reading as well.
A jammer on the back ground , the Signal strength is a bit low today S 2
On the same freq. I could trace the Afropop station with non stop music.
but in my location Saut Alamal is beating it.
17.660 kHz still having as usual Idhaat al Jamaheriya al Ozma with non
stop Arabic/Libyan Music.
Hello Again DXers, well..it's a bit new move here to avoid the jamming
and that Afro pop station , starting the second hour of the transmission
starting 13.00 UTC I noticed that they moved to 17.675 kHz o avoid the
jamming mainly .
The audio quality is much better than the first hour S 4 this time....and
of course still no jammer or anyother QRM. more to come.
(T.Zeidan-EGY Feb 20, 2006 in DXLD-ML)
Saludos cordiales, chequeando hoy a Sawt Al-amal, transmitiendo hoy por
la frecuencia de 17680, 12:00-13:00, y por la frecuencia de 17660 la
transmisión de música árabe, la señal muy fuerte y libre de
interferencias, sin embargo a las 12:27 irrumpe por la frecuencia de
17680 la emisora con música afro-pop, atorándola pero sin llegar a
anularla, así se mantiene hasta las 13:00 en la que Sawt Al-amal cambia a
la frecuencia de 17685, dejando sola en 17680 la emisora musical, poco
después aparece una emisión jammer tipo burbuja, atorándola pero sin
anularla, se aprecia mejor ésta señal en los 17690, la transmisión se
mantiene hasta las 14:00.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 22, 2006 for CRW)
17670 Sawt Al-amal, 12:25-12:45, escuchada el 22 de febrero en árabe a
locutor y locutora con comentarios, ID, SINPO 45433
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 22, 2006 for CRW)
17675 Sawt Al-amal, 13:00-13:15, escuchada el 22 de febrero en árabe a
locutor con cuña de ID, dos minutos después señal de interferencia en
17670 anulando a emisora musical afro-pop e interfiriendo levemente a
Sawt Al-amal, SINPO 44444
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 22, 2006 for CRW)
17680 Sawt Al-amal, 12:21-12:27, escuchada el 22 de febrero en árabe a
locutor con comentarios y referencias a "Libia" y "La Intifada", SINPO
45444
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 22, 2006 for CRW)
17685 Sawt Al-amal, 13:00-13:15, escuchada el 22 de febrero en árabe,
comentarios y cuñas de ID, música folklórica, SINPO 44444
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 22, 2006 for CRW)
17670 Sowt Alamel Feb 28 1242-1253 43443 Arabic, Arabic music and talk,
ID at 1245, QRM of Jamming.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 28, 2006 in JAP 411)
...............................................................
Logs - MALDIVES
Minivan R
Minivan Radio was noted again yesterday 15 Feb 2006 at 1630 UTC on 11800
(J.Jacob-IND Feb 16, 2006 in DX-Unlimited-ML)
11800 Minivan Radio, 16:17-16:30, escuchada el 19 de febrero en dhivehi a
locutor y locutora con comentarios y canciones populares, templando a
11799 para evitar interferencias de Radio Liberty en ruso emitiendo por
11805, SINPO 43343.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 19, 2006 for CRW)
Re 6-032: Glenn: Yes, Minivan is back on indefinitely. Well, they told me
at least through February anyway. After that it depends on getting more
funding I believe
(J.White-WRMI-USA Feb 19, 2006 in DXLD 6-033)
16-17 on 11800 via Germany; wonder if they are now originating in the UK,
or have things settled down in Sri Lanka? (gh, DXLD)
Glenn: I believe they are originating in the UK now. I think everything
has been transferred there.
(J.White-WRMI-USA Feb 19, 2006 in DXLD 6-033)
...............................................................
Logs - MÉXICO
Radio Insurgente
5999.95v Radio Insurgente may continue its' Friday broadcast schedule
today. Radio Insurgente has been heard from 2045v to sign off last week
at 2210v. Signal strength in south eastern Florida has been fair to poor.
Radio Havana, Cuba may be delaying sign on until Radio Insurgente ends
its broadcast.
(R.Wilkner-USA Feb 17, 2006 in CDX-ML)
6000 R. Insurgente was a bust. I was not able to check until 2136 and
R.Habana was already on the channel in Spanish.
(H.Johnson-FL-USA Feb 17, 2006 in CDX-ML)
Glenn: olvidé reportar que escuché Radio Insurgente el pasado viernes 17
de febrero; inició a las 2047 con música de marimba, posteriormente
presentación, noticias, música, comentarios cerrando aproximadamente a
las 2146.
(J.Santiago Díez de Bonilla-DF-MEX Feb 19, 2006 in DXLD 6-033)
...............................................................
Logs - MYANMAR
Democratic Voice of Burma
9415, Voice of Democratic Burma, via Almaty, Kazakhstan, *1438-1530*, Sa
Feb 25, Burmese news and comments, 1515 talk in scheduled Kachin, 44444
QRM Voice of Greece 9420, heard // weaker 17495 via Madagascar relay.
Carrier was ready at 1430, but audio first came on at 1438 on both
frequencies.
(A.Petersen-DNK Feb 25, 2006 in DX Window 293)
...............................................................
Logs - NIGERIA
Voice of Biafra
7380 V. of Biafra Int. Feb 11 2100-2110 33432 English, 2100 Opening
misic, Theme music, ID, Song, Talk, //Wed and Sat only.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 11, 2006 in JAP 408)
7380 kHz, LV de Biafra, 2104+, 18 Febrero, px en ingles con cxs. SIO 322.
(H.Goyena-ARG Feb 18, 2006 in ConDig 357)
7380 (CLANDESTINE), SOUTH AFRICA, Voice of Biafra International. 18 Feb
06 2148-2159*. First log of this station. Gentleman announcer in heavily
African accented English. Mentions of homes being confiscated by
governmental agencies without recompense to the owners. Talk of Nigerian
Supreme Court and which section of Nigeria most of the Justices came
from. Calls for the people to support a movement for Independent Southern
Republic of Biafra. ID at 2157 as "This is Voice of Biafra International
coming to you from Washington, DC, USA." The accent of the announcer made
if difficult to understand portions of the program. Good
(J.Wood-TN-USA Feb 18, 2006 in NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD 6-033)
Hearing Voice of Biafra on 7380 kHz at 2100 UT today saturday february
25th, 2006, anyone have an address for this station ? Signal was very
good here in Montreal, from EIBI website I see they broadcast from South
Africa.
(G.Letourneau-CAN Feb 25, 2006 in DXLD-ML)
7380 The Voice of Biafra Int., 2110 2120, Feb 25, English, mention
several countries of Africa and Asia and speceally Nigeria, ID ?you are
tune The Voice of Biafra International?, 24442.
(N.Eramo-ARG Feb 25, 2006 for CRW)
...............................................................
Logs - SOMALIA
Waaberi Radio
17660 Waaberi Radio, 1338 1350, Feb 24, Somali, comments by man announcer
mention several cities of Somalia, ID ?..... Waaberi Radio...?, 34443,
(N.Eramo-ARG Feb 24, 2006 for CRW)
...............................................................
Logs - VIETNAM
Degar Voice
Degar Voice 7125 kHz. Transfer began in 1306. Statement of the man with
often a mention of Vietnam. 1316 Man's announcement, a song sing men.
1317 Man's announcement and continuation of statement. 1329 Music and
sign off. 33443. QRM: Chinese station. 21/2
(V.Rozhkov-RUS Feb 21, 2006 for CRW)
Que Huong Radio
15680 Que Huong Radio, 1222 1230, Feb 24, Vietnamense, comments by man
and female announcer, give an address and ID ?..Que Huong Radio...?,
24442.
(N.Eramo-ARG Feb 24, 2006 for CRW)
...............................................................
Logs - WESTERN AFRICA
West Africa Democracy Radio
12000 West Africa Democracy R. via Woofferton Feb 10 0850-0859* 33332
French, Talk, ID at 0859, 0859 sign off.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 10, 2006 in JAP 408)
17860 West Africa Democracy R. via Woofferton Feb 10 *0900-0908 35433
English, 0900 sign on with ID, Talk,
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 10, 2006 in JAP 408)
12000 West Africa Democracy R. via Woofferton Feb 17 0855-0900* 34332
French, Music, ID at 0856, It is s/off in IS.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 17, 2006 in JAP 409)
17860 West Africa Democracy R. via Woofferton Feb 17 *0900-0915 35433
English, 0900 sign on, IS and ID, Opening announce, Talk.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 17, 2006 in JAP 409)
12000 West Africa Democracy R. via Woofferton Feb 18 0826-0856 34433
French, Talk, ID at 0830 and 0856.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 18, 2006 in JAP 409)
17860 West Africa Democracy R. via Woofferton Feb 18 1027-1040 35433
French, Talk and music, ID at 1030.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 18, 2006 in JAP 409)
17860 West África Democracy, 10:15-10:30, escuchada en francés a
locutores con tertulia política, SINPO 45444
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 20?, 2006 for CRW)
12000 West Africa Democracy R. via Woofferton Feb 23 0850-0858* 34443
French, Talk, ID at 0857, It is s/off in IS.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 23, 2006 in JAP 411)
17860 West Africa Democracy R. via Woofferton Feb 23 *0900-0905 35322
English, 0900 sign on with opning announce, IS, Afro pops music, Talk.
(Ko.Hashimoto-J Feb 23, 2006 in JAP 411)
...............................................................
Logs - WESTERN SAHARA
National Radio of the Arab-Saharan Democratic Republic
1550 Radio Nacional Saharaui, 18:16-18:31, escuchada el 19 de febrero en
árabe con programa de música folklórica local y locutor con comentarios,
lectura de un poema en árabe, SINPO 44444.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 19, 2006 for CRW)
...............................................................
Logs - ZIMBABWE
Radio Voice of the People
R. Voice of the People, 11705 via Madagascar, 1705-1756* Feb 11, tune-in
to English talk. Gave IDs, frequency and Box 5750, Harare, Zimbabwe
address many times throughout broadcast. Many "Radio VOP" IDs. F-G
reception but much was difficult to understand due to thick accent of
announcers.
(B.Alexander-PA-USA Feb 11, 2006 via G.Hauser-USA in DXLD-ML)
Voice of the People, (VOP) 11705 via Madagascar, heard from within
Zimbabwe, 1705-1755 with severe cycling jamming this evening, 18 Feb.
Despite ongoing denial of the Zimbabwean government that they are not
jamming any foreign radio station. Some audio is getting through, so most
likely that is what can be heard.
(D.Pringle-Wood-ZWE Feb 18, 2006 in DXLD 6-032)
11705 Radio Voice of the People, 17:00-17:05, escuchada el 19 de febrero
en inglés con sintonía e identificación por locutor, segmento de música
con guitarra, SINPO 32232.
(J.Miguel Romero-E Feb 19, 2006 for CRW)
R. Voice of the People, 11705, from Madagascar to Zimbabwe, heard this
evening from sign on 1700, 22 Feb with the usual cycle jamming. Although
the jamming is severe, the audio content of the broadcast is not totally
affected and the broadcast is still listenable most of the time.
Programming in local Shona vernacular with a political discussion,
probably a studio archive tape being reaired. Jamming is severe at times!
(D.Pringle-Wood-ZWE Feb 22, 2006 in DXLD 6-033)
------------xxxxxxxxxx QSL Verifications xxxxxxxxxx------------
Qsl's - WESTERN AFRICA
West Africa Democracy Radio
WEST AFRICA DEMOCRACY RADIO Woofferton 12000 kHz, Lettere QSL in 77
giorni. E-rpt spedito a: wadr@wadr.org V/s: Abdou Lo.
(L.Botto Fiora-I Feb 18, 2006 in ForumRadio-ML)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Other News xxxxxxxxxx--------------------
Other - BELARUS
Radio Ratsya
The Times
February 24, 2006
By Roger Boyes
The dissident Opposition to Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarussian
President dubbed Europe's last dictator, has been boosted by a new radio
station that is broadcasting from Poland into his police state.
Radio Ratsya began transmissions on Wednesday, providing news, interviews
with opposition supporters and contemporary music banned by the
Belarussian leader. If the station catches on it could help to stir
resistance to Mr Lukashenko before presidential elections on March 19.
No one doubts that the President will claim victory but there is a chance
that the result could stoke unrest in the manner of the Orange Revolution
in Ukraine.
"We have already broadcast an interview with the Belarussian opposition
candidate for the presidency, Alexander Milinkevich," Nikola Markevich, a
founder of the radio station, said.
The editorial team is made up of Poles and Belarussians, fed by
correspondents in Belarus. The transmitters are in southern Poland and
Lithuania, ensuring that most of western and northern Belarus will be
able to listen.
There is little doubt that the new Polish Government is committed to
engineering democratic change in Belarus.
The opening of the station - financed by the Polish State with about
£180,000 a year - was attended by Adam Lipinski, the Prime Minister's
Chief of Staff.
Journalists banned by President Lukashenko often find jobs across the
border. Outlawed bands record in Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. Books are
printed in Poland and smuggled to Belarus.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-2055898,00.html
(The Times Feb 24, 2006 via M.Terry-G in DXLD-ML)
EU-funded radio beams into Belarus
Radio antennae. An EU-funded radio broadcaster began beaming news, music
and information into Belarus to counter state-controlled media three
weeks before a tense presidential election.
AFP/File more at http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=109890
(turkishpress.com Feb 26, 2006 via M.Terry-G in DXLD-ML)
Deutschlandfunk report about European Radio for Belarus, contracted by
European Union to the Berlin-based Media Consulta company:
http://ondemand-mp3.dradio.de/file/dradio/2006/02/25/dlf_200602251721.mp3
Script: http://www.dradio.de/dlf/sendungen/marktundmedien/473611/
Mainly an interview with the managing director (or CEO, if you prefer
that term) of Media Consulta. Statement specifically about their radio
operations, referring to Deutsche Welle and their already existing
Belorusskaya Khronika programme:
"On shortwave you have always these funny noises, actually nobody would
voluntarily listen to it. Only advantage: It`s cheap and you can reach
the whole of Belarus. But we will achieve the same coverage with better
quality through our strategic partner Radio Baltic Waves in FM and in
mediumwave by means of transmission masts scattered around Belarus in
Lithuania, Poland, the Ukraine and so on."
Indeed he said "in mediumwave". The report also deals with the planned TV
programmes, to be aired via RTVI, a Russian Pay TV (!) station. No
comments from my side, at least for the time being.
(K.Ludwig-D Feb 27, 2006 in DXLD 6-037)
EU Begins Radio Broadcasts into Belarus
By VOA News
27 February 2006
http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-02-27-voa6.cfm
The European Union has launched a new radio service into Belarus, where
the opposition hopes to topple hardline President Alexander Lukashenko in
an upcoming election.
The new service is staffed by Belarusian and Polish broadcasters. It
beams news and music by shortwave from just across the Belarusian border
in Vilnius, Lithuania.
The broadcasts include a daily hour-long series called "Window to
Europe," and a series of election specials.
EU officials say the new radio station is not propaganda. But they say
tight government controls on the media make it hard for Belarusians to
find independent sources of information.
President Lukashenko is hoping to win a third term in the March 19
election. He accuses the West of interfering in Belarusian affairs.
The United States has called Mr. Lukashenko Europe's last dictator
because of his suppression of human rights and free speech.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
(VoA Feb 28, 2006 via Z.Liangas-GRC for CRW)
...............................................................
Other - CHINA
Sound of Hope
Article in Epoch Times says that Sound of Hope has increased its daily
broadcasts to six hours and has plans to increase to 24 hours
http://www.theepochtimes.com/news/6-2-19/38343.html
(M.Barraclough-G Feb 19, 2006 in DXLD-ML)
SOUND OF HOPE'S DAILY BROADCAST INTO CHINA INCREASES TO SIX HOURS
By Xin Fei, The Epoch Times, Feb 19, 2006
http://www.theepochtimes.com/tools/printer.asp?id=38343
Sound of Hope radio network (SOH), headquartered in California, is an
independent and non-profit broadcast resource for the global Chinese
audience. In addition to direct Internet broadcasts, SOH also transmits
to over more than 40 AM and FM local radio stations around the world.
Website: http://www.soundofhope.org
According to Mr. Zeng Yong, the president of Sound of Hope Radio (SOH),
the station has been broadcasting on shortwave into mainland China at
least two hours a day since March of 2004, covering nearly all of China.
The total broadcasting time has typically been four hours a day. And
recently, support and demand for its broadcasts have encouraged SOH to
increase them to China by an additional two hours. These six hours
provide the Chinese people with important news and information that they
would otherwise never hear due to the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP)
strict news censorship.
SOH broadcasts goals are "reporting the facts, showing concern for social
weak forces, passing on the traditional Chinese culture, defending
justice and upholding conscience." SOH also has plans to broadcast for 24
hours every day into mainland China. The plan intends to collect
donations from society that will pay for short and medium wave
broadcasting timeslots. By broadcasting 24 hours a day, SOH believes it
will provide "24-hour Hope Waves" for all the Chinese people, who, under
the dictatorial CCP regime, are denied all freedoms of the press and
airwaves.
At the end of 2004, Reporters Without Borders pointed out that a French
company, Thales, sold the CCP some equipment that would scramble and
disturb radio broadcasts into China from overseas. This transaction
deprives hundreds of millions of Chinese people of their rights and
freedom to obtain uncensored news and information.
The CCP currently considers SOH as its main target of broadcast
disturbance. An intensifying and omni-directional signal of the same
frequency is used to interfere with the transmission. The power of the
signal used against SOH is stronger than that used against Radio France
Internationale, BBC, and Radio Free Asia. SOH often hears feedback from
all over China that the four-hour broadcast is seriously interfered with
by the CCP. This interference occurs because SOH broadcasts the Nine
Commentaries on the Chinese Communist Party and frequently reports on the
mass resignations from the CCP.
SOH appeals to all overseas Chinese people and organizations to condemn
the CCP's interference with the broadcasts, thereby protecting the
Chinese people's rights and freedom to access news and information both
abroad and in China. SOH also hopes that the Chinese living overseas can
pay more attention to the lack of freedom forced on their mainland
compatriots and that these immigrants will help them realize the plan of
"24-hour Hope Waves" through enthusiastic donations.
With more funds and participation, SOH will win over the interference and
spread news and information of the free world to the people in China. It
will restore hope to the Chinese people and bring China a bright future.
(Epoch Times International Feb 19, 2006 via M.Cooper-CAN in DXLD 6-033)
SOUND OF HOPE'S DAILY BROADCAST INTO CHINA INCREASES TO SIX HOURS
Sound of Hope Radio Network (SOH), headquartered in California, is an
independent and non-profit broadcast resource for the global Chinese
audience. In addition to direct Internet broadcasts, SOH also transmits
to over more than 40 AM and FM local radio stations around the world. The
station has been broadcasting on shortwave into mainland China since
March 2004, covering nearly all of China. According to the World Radio TV
Handbook, the transmitters are in Taiwan.
At the end of 2004, Reporters Without Borders pointed out that a French
company, Thalès, sold China some equipment that would jam radio
broadcasts into the country from overseas. SOH believes it is the main
target of such jamming. It says the jamming signal used against its
transmissions is stronger than that used against other stations such as
the BBC and Radio Free Asia.
Despite the jamming, support and demand for its broadcasts have
encouraged SOH to increase daily output to six hours. SOH plans to
eventually broadcast for 24 hours every day into mainland China. How
quickly that will happen depends on how successful it is at collecting
donations to pay for shortwave and mediumwave broadcasting timeslots.
The station informs Media Network that its expanded shortwave schedule is
as follows:
1600-1700 UT on 11765 kHz
2200-2300 UT on 9635 kHz
2300-2400 UT on 7310 kHz
1100-1300 UT on 7280 kHz
1300-1400 UT on 7310 kHz
Sound of Hope http://www.soundofhope.org/
(A.Sennit-HOL in Media Network blog Feb 21, 2006 via DXLD 6-034)
Minghui (MH) Radio Kicks off Short Wave Broadcasts to Mainland China
I don't remember seeing this, but apologies if it's a repeat of
previously published information. This is a Falun Dafa station:
http://clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2006/1/2/68584.html
Minghui (MH) Radio Kicks off Short Wave Broadcasts to Mainland China
(Clearwisdom.net) As the 2006 new year approached, the Minghui (MH) Radio
Station kicked off its short wave broadcast to China on December 30 as a
warm gift to practitioners in China and all precious fellow countrymen.
MH radio, founded in mid November, 2005, was created to clarify the truth
to all Minghui readers. The radio now broadcasts twice a day on two
different frequencies. The schedule is from 6:00 to 7:00 a.m. [2200-2300
UT] on 7.105 MHz, and from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. [1300-1400 UT) on 6.03 MHz.
Readers can also listen online or download the programs at
http://www.mhradio.org.
[This URL also mentions a third transmission at 11.00-12.00 [0300-0400
UT] on 11700 kHz)
Posting date: 1/2/2006
Original article date: 1/2/2006
(via A.Sennit-HOL Feb 22, 2006 in DXLD-ML)
...............................................................
Other - IRAN
US seeks 50m dollars to fund extra broadcasts to Iran
The United States on 15 February announced it would step up its
diplomatic offensive against Iran. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,
testifying before a US Senate committee, said the administration would
seek extra funding from Congress for around-the-clock Farsi radio and
television broadcasts, and other efforts to promote Iranian democracy.
In her testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, published
on the US State Department website, Rice said, among other things: "The
Iranian regime is a strategic challenge to the United States, to the
world, and a destabilizing influence in the Middle East. The tools Iran
uses to further its ideological ambitions are political subversion,
terrorism, and support for violent Islamist extremism. Iran is trying to
add nuclear weapons to that toolbox.
"The United States will actively confront the aggressive policies of the
Iranian regime. At the same time, we will work to support the aspirations
of the Iranian people for freedom and democracy in their country.
"We also plan to request 75m US dollars in supplemental funding for FY
2006 to support democracy in Iran. This money will enable us to increase
our support for democracy and improve our radio broadcasting into Iran,
to begin satellite television broadcasts, to increase the contacts
between our peoples through expanded fellowships and scholarships in the
United States for Iranian students, and to bolster our public diplomacy.
"In addition, we plan to reprogram additional FY 2007 funds to increase
our support for the democratic aspirations of the Iranian people as we
identify worthy initiatives."
International news agencies reported that 50m dollars of the new money
would go towards providing Farsi radio and television broadcasts into
Iran 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Source: BBC Monitoring research 16 Feb 06 (BBCM Feb 16, 2006)
TIME FOR A PLAN TO UNDO IRAN
By Kenneth R. Timmerman THE WASHINGTON TIMES [moony]
Published February 23, 2006
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice asked Congress last week for an extra
$75 million to enhance radio and television broadcasting into Iran and to
support pro-democracy forces there. This is welcome and long overdue. The
good news is that the Bush administration has finally understood that
talking about freedom is not enough. The United States must devote
serious assets to helping pro-democracy forces inside Iran, if there is
to be any hope of a long-term resolution to the nuclear crisis with Iran.
The bad news is that, after all these years, the administration still has
no plan of how to do it. . . .
We need to shut down Radio Farda, help VOA produce quality radio programs
in addition to TV talk shows, and hand over more money to Iranian
broadcasters in Los Angeles and elsewhere who have their finger on the
pulse of Iran's people. . .
http://washingtontimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20060222-085120-23
60r
(The Washington Times via M.Cooper-CAN in DXLD 6-036)
...............................................................
Other - IRAQ
Media in Iraq - updated February 2006 --- RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Al-Mirbad radio and television launched in the south of Iraq in the
summer of 2005 with the aid of a grant from the UK Department for
International Development and technical, infrastructure and training
from the BBC World Service Trust. All Al-Mirbad staff undertook an
eight-week training course in Jordan with WST trainers, the Trust
said.
Al-Mirbad TV is available on terrestrial transmitters in Basra (Ch
59), Al Amara (Ch 42), Nasiriyah (Ch 46) and on satellite via Arabsat
2C, 11182 MHz vertical polarization, SR 2894, FEC 3/4 and 12518 MHz
vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4.
The Dubai-based Iraqi television channel Al-Fayha confirmed on 1
February that the UAE authorities had terminated the station's
transmission licence. The station reported that there had been a
number of street demonstrations throughout Iraq calling on the Iraqi
government to hold talks with the UAE to re-instate Al-Fayha's
licence."
On 25 January, the Toronto-based internet television company Jump TV
announced that five Iraqi television channels would be available on
the internet via a subscription service. The stations are: The
stations carried by JumpTV include Al Baghdadiya, Al Fayha, Al
Sumariya, Al Diyar and Beladi TV.
Audiences
According to figures released by the US-based Middle East Broadcast
Networks, the non-profit, US government financed organisation that
operates the Al-Hurra TV channel and Radio Sawa, American-funded
television and radio reaches some 71 per cent of Iraqis.
Citing research by KA Research Limited, a regional research company
operating throughout the Middle East and North Africa in November and
December 2005, Al-Hurra TV and Radio Sawa together reach an
unduplicated weekly audience of 71 per cent of Iraqi adults 15 and
older.
Radio Sawa alone reached 51 per cent of Iraqi adults, making it the
most listened to radio station in Iraq, said the survey. Al-Hurra
alone reached 42 per cent of Iraqi adults weekly, ranking fifth among
the more than 200 satellite and terrestrial TV stations that can be
viewed in Iraq. The only four stations with larger weekly TV audiences
than Al-Hurra were Al-Jazeera, Al-Arabiya, Al-Iraqiyah (each with 71
per cent weekly reach) and Al-Sharqiya (67 per cent weekly reach).
According to the data, the majority of viewers of Al-Hurra TV and
listeners to Radio Sawa considered their news to be reliable. Seventy-
three per cent of Al-Hurra's weekly viewers said the news on the
channel was reliable and 63 per cent of Radio Sawa's weekly listeners
said that station's news was reliable. Radio Sawa was also cited as
their number one source of radio news by 32 per cent of respondents in
the survey followed by the BBC Arabic Service (13 per cent) and Radio
Monte Carlo (nine per cent).
Regulation and press freedom
On 3 January 2006, the state-controlled public service TV channel Al-
Iraqiyah TV aired a report which claimed that "some" satellite
channels may influence people into "committing criminal and terror
acts" through the transmission of "suggestive material". The channel
interviewed a number of sociologists and academics, and condemned,
without naming, television channels whose programmes are "driving
misled people into committing criminal and terror acts"
The station called acts such as abduction, robbery and killing
"against Islam", and blamed television channels - and in particular,
"world satellite channels" - that routinely reported and showed
graphic images of such activities for influencing people into taking
up crime as "a kind of hobby".
In October Muhammad Harun Hassan, an editor and the executive
secretary of the Iraqi Journalists Association, was killed in Baghdad.
On 7 January 2006, an American reporter working for the Christian
Science Monitor, Jill Caroll, was abducted in Baghdad by unidentified
gunmen. Her interpreter was killed.
On 24 January 2006, Mahmoud Za'al, a reporter for Baghdad TV, was
killed in Ramadi. The International Federation of Journalists called
for an investigation into his death, citing reports that he was shot
during a gun battle between US forces and insurgents.
By the reckoning of some international media watchdogs, including the
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the number of
journalists and media staff killed in Iraq since the US invasion in
March 2003 now exceeds 100. An IFJ report, published in January 2006,
called Iraq "a death trap for journalists".
On 11 January, the Committee to Protect Journalists called on the
authorities in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region to overturn the 30-
year jail sentence handed down to journalist Kamal Karim, an Austrian
citizen, for defaming the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party,
Mas'ud Barzani.
New Satellite TV Channels since November 2005
In November 2005, Ahl al-Bayt (The House of the Prophet Muhammad), a
new satellite channel aimed at Iraqi audience was noted testing on the
Arabsat satellite at 26 degrees East. On-screen captions indicate that
the channel will air predominately Shi'i Islamic programming.
In the run-up to the 15 December Iraqi National Assembly elections, a
number of new television channels were noted undergoing testing.
Babil TV on the Atlantic Bird 2 satellite was noted offering
programming in support of the Sunni Iraqi Front for National Dialogue.
Biladi TV was noted on the Nilesat 101 satellite, with programming in
support of the United Iraqi Alliance.
Afaq (Horizons) TV on the Atlantic Bird 2 satellite was noted showing
video footage in support of the Sunni Iraqi Islamic Party and the
cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan-operated Al Hurriyah TV, and the
Iraqi Turkoman Front-operated Turkomaneli TV, both of which already
broadcast terrestrially, were noted broadcasting via the Altantic Bird
2 satellite in December 2005.
RADIO
BBC Monitoring can confirm hearing the following broadcasters as of
February 2006: AM stations (all frequencies in kHz)
594 People's (Al-Nas) Radio - 0400-1500
603 Republic of Iraq Radio - southern Iraq
675 Republic of Iraq Radio (parallel with 98.3 MHz) - 0500-1510
[Inactive when checked in January 2006]
909 Radio Nahrain (IMN), Basra
999 Radio Bilad (Lands) - 0500-1300
1030 Al-Salam Radio - 0700-1700
1053 Al-Salam Radio - 0700-1700 (alternative to 1030 kHz)
1071 Radio Babil (IMN), Hilla
1116 Dar al-Salam Radio - 0500-1800 (parallel with 1152 kHz and 91.0
MHz)
1152 Dar al-Salam Radio - 0500-1800 (parallel with 1116 kHz and 91.0
MHz)
1179 Voice of Iraq - 0400-1800
1206 Voice of the People of Kurdistan, in Arabic and Kurdish
1305 Al-Mustaqbal Radio (parallel with 95.5 MHz)
1395 Al-Mustaqbal Radio - southern Iraq
1593 Radio Free Iraq, in Arabic/VoA in English, Kurdish, Persian
FM stations in Baghdad (all frequencies in MHz)
88.0 Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East, in Arabic and French (carries
some RFI French newscasts)
88.6 Panorama FM
89.0 BBC World Service in Arabic
89.5 Turkoman FM
90.2 Radio Al-Nur
90.5 Today Radio
91.0 Dar al-Salam Radio - 0500-1800 (parallel with 1116 and 1152 kHz)
91.5 Radio Rashid - 0300-2300
92.5 Holy Koran and Religious Programmes (IMN)
93.5 Radio France Internationale in French
94.8 Radio Diyala (IMN) - 0400-2100
95.5 Al-Mustaqbal Radio - 0500-1700
96.0 Radio Al-Mahabah (Love), Voice of Iraqi Women
96.6 Radio Al-Nas (People)
96.9 BBC World Service in English
97.3 Voice of the University
97.5 Voice of the People of Kurdistan (PUK-run)
97.9 Freedom Radio
98.3 Republic of Iraq Radio - 0000-2400 (parallel with 1071 kHz)
98.8 Ur FM - 0000-2400 (owned by Channel 4 Radio Network, UAE)
99.4 Ashur FM, in Arabic and Assyrian - 0610-1700
99.9 Sumar FM - 0000-2400
100.4 Radio Sawa
101.2 Radio Shafaq (Twilight), in Arabic and Kurdish - 1200-1700, rpt
0500-1000
101.5 Congress Radio, Voice of the Iraqi National Congress
102.4 Radio Free Iraq (RFE/RL)/VoA in English and Kurdish
105.2 Radio Dijla - 0500-0115
106.0 Peace 106 FM - 0000-2400
106.9 BFBS Radio 1 in English
107.7 AFN-Iraq ("Freedom Radio") in English
FM stations in southern Iraq (all frequencies in MHz)
88.0 BBC World Service in English
88.8 Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East, in Arabic and French
90.0 BBC Arabic Service, Basra
91.6 Voice of the South, Basra
92.8 Al-Nakhil Radio - (the Supreme Council for the Islamic
Revolution in Iraq)
95.7 Radio Sawa
96.0 Republic of Iraq Radio
102.0 BFBS Radio One
105.0 Radio Free Iraq
106.0 BFBS Radio Two
107.0 Radio Sawa
Republic of Iraq Radio is the successor to Iraqi Media Network-Radio
Baghdad, which was operated by the Coalition Provisional Authority. It
is currently observed on air in Baghdad round the clock on 98.3 MHz
FM, and for a shorter daily period (0500-1510 gmt) on 675 kHz
mediumwave. It has also been observed in southern Iraq on 603 kHz.
Republic of Iraq Radio started broadcasting via the 13 degrees east
Hotbird satellite to Europe in April 2005, in parallel with
transmissions on the Arabsat 3A and Arabsat 2D satellites.
Radio Dijla - Iraq's first independent talk radio station, Radio Dijla
(Tigris Radio) identifies itself as "Radio Dijla from Baghdad, the
first independent Iraqi radio".
Radio Dijla broadcasts on 105.2 MHz in the FM band in Baghdad, on a
slightly variable schedule of 0800-0415 local time (0500-0115 gmt).
The station is also available with a live audio stream available from
its website at http://www.radiodijla.com As far as can be
ascertained, Radio Dijla is not available on satellite.
The commercial station, which is the first independent talk radio
station in Iraq, was founded by Dr Ahmad al-Rikabi, a former London
bureau chief of US-funded Radio Free Iraq. After the Coalition war
against Iraq in 2003, Rikabi helped to set up Coalition-run radio and
TV stations in his role as head of the Iraqi Media Network.
Radio Dijla carries a mix of programming including live phone-in
programmes during which callers express their opinions on issue of
concern to the Iraqi people and society; interviews; programmes on
social issues; and Arab and Iraqi pop songs and entertainment
programmes.
During phone-in programmes, the announcers say: "Our opinion does not
count, but what always counts is your opinion."
According to a feature article in the London newspaper The Guardian on
10 June 2004, the station broadcasts in the local Iraqi dialect and
not classical Arabic, and operates from "a modest family house
somewhere in a western Baghdad suburb".
It receives up to 18,000 calls a day, although it can only answer a
fraction of that number. "It has become Baghdad's favourite," the
Guardian reported, noting: "Radio Dijla has also become required
listening for the country's new authorities."
Voice of Iraq was launched in Baghdad in summer 2003, and is currently
on the air at 0700-2100 local time (0400-1800 gmt).
The station has a website entirely in Arabic at http://www.voiraq.com
which states that the radio "covers an area with 12 million Iraqi
inhabitants".
The site adds, among other things: "The Voice of Iraq, which transmits
from Baghdad on 1179 kHz, is the first independent radio in Iraq's
history. It started transmitting on 15 July 2003 after a month of
testing. The founders of the radio wanted the station to be a
distinguished media organ in terms of both accuracy and objectivity,
broadcasting all news reports and analysing developments in a serious,
impartial, professional and unbiased manner.
"The Voice of Iraq presents a wide variety of intellectual talks,
field investigations, panel discussions and many programmes on various
subjects.
"The radio is eager to safeguard unity and amity among the Iraqi
people following decades of attempts to foment sectarianism and
practise murder and oppression against the majority of the Iraqi
people and the rest of Iraq's citizens.
"The editorial policy of the Voice of Iraq takes great care of the
Iraqi people's national unity, encouraging close relations among the
various ethnic groups - Arabs, Kurds and Turkomans - who must have
equal rights without any form of prejudice.
"The Voice of Iraq is also eager to strengthen relations with
neighbouring states and peoples and promote them in a way that would
eradicate the harm that the defunct regime's aggression against these
states had caused."
Al-Mustaqbal (The Future) Radio - The radio is operated by the Iraqi
National Accord movement (INA) and transmits from Baghdad on FM 95.5
MHz. The station no longer broadcasts on 1305 kHz. The radio describes
itself as "the voice of the Iraqi National Accord." The INA movement
has a website in English and Arabic at http://www.wifaq.com
Al-Salam TV and Radio from Baghdad - The following report headlined
"This is Al-Salam television and radio from Al-Kazimiyah city" was
published by the Iraqi National Accord newspaper Baghdad on 14
February 2004:
"After the fall of the former regime and the end of the phase of
propaganda media and obscuring the voice of others, Al-Salam
Television and Radio station was established in Al-Kazimiyah City, in
Baghdad, to broadcast programmes that call for love and harmony among
the people of Iraq.
"This station also provides people with useful media and reflects the
wishes of the people from all ethnic, religious and sectarian
affiliation within the framework of democracy and freedom of
_expression, which they were deprived of under the former regime,
without favouritism or taking the side of any sect or religion, and
without circulating this or that ideology.
"The television station has started its daily test transmission on
Channel 5 from 1600 until 2000.
"This station has an elite range of well-known media figures,
including announcer Amal al-Mudarris, director Ali al-Ansari, writer
Sabah Ruhaymah, and announcer Samirah Jiyad."
Al-Salam (Peace) Radio is on the air daily at 1000-2000 local time
(0700-1700 gmt) 1030 or 1035 kHz mediumwave. It is not known if this
station has any connection with a similarly named music station on
106.0 MHz FM, Al-Salam Radio FM.
Dar al-Salam Radio - Dar al-Salam Radio (Haven of Peace) broadcasts
from Baghdad and identifies itself as the radio of the Iraqi Islamic
Party. The station was first monitored on 24 March 2004.
Initial broadcasts focused on the activities of Iraqi Islamic Party
leader Mushin Abd al-Hamid and Islamic issues.
In its initial broadcasts, Dar al-Salam Radio highlighted the
importance of Islam in Iraqi society. The station also aired religious
songs.
BBC Monitoring observed a station identifying in Arabic as Dar al-
Salam Radio on 91.0 MHz in the FM band at 1400 gmt on 18 September
2004. Programming on this new frequency was in parallel with the
mediumwave service on 1152 kHz, first observed in March 2004.
"Telephone FM" is a new radio programme produced in the German capital
Berlin by young Iraqis and targeting a youth audience inside Iraq.
Since 10 July the 90-minute "Telephone FM" programmes has been five
afternoons a week by the Baghdad-based private station Hot FM, which
is on 104.1 MHz. As well as reports and interviews conducted by
telephone for the most part and then compiled in Berlin, Telephone FM
will air a mix of Arabic and mainstream Western music. The project is
sponsored by the German Foreign Ministry, which has provided 102,000
dollars in aid.
Al-Nas ("People's") Radio broadcasts nationally on 594 kHz from
Baghdad, planning to open an FM outlet in June 2005. Rebroadcast's
German external radio Deutsche Welle for four hours per day.
Ashur Radio was first observed on FM in Baghdad by BBC Monitoring on
24 July 2004. Programmes in Arabic and Assyrian are broadcast at 0910-
2000 local time (0610-1700 gmt) on 99.4 MHz FM in Baghdad.
Ashur was one of the ancient capitals of the Assyrian Empire, situated
on the River Tigris in northern Iraq. A clandestine radio station of
this name broadcast on 9155 kHz shortwave prior to the 2003 Iraq war.
Bilad Radio operates on 999 kHz mediumwave in Baghdad. Programming
consists entirely of Koranic recitations and the call to prayer. The
station is on the air daily at 0800-1600 hours local time (0500-1300
gmt).
Radio Friendship, Voice of Iraqi Women (Radio al-Mahabbah, Sawt al-
Mar'ah al-Iraqiyah), a Baghdad-based station aimed at a female
audience, first noted by BBC Monitoring on 10 June 2005 on 96.0 MHz.
British Forces Broadcasting Service
BFBS radio and TV stations are available as follows (all frequencies
are in MHz):
BFBS Radio 1
Umm Qasr 106.5
Shaybah 106.5
Basra 106.5
Al-Amarah 106.5
Baghdad 106.9
BFBS Radio 2
Umm Qasr 102.1
Shaybah 102.1
Al-Amarah 87.5
Basra 102.1
BFBS Gurkha Radio
Basra 104.0
BFBS TV is available only via DTH satellite and closed cable systems.
US American Forces Radio
AFN-Iraq has been observed on 107.7 MHz in Baghdad with local
programming, identifying on air as "Freedom Radio" and "Freedom Radio
107.7." AFN Radio on 92.3 MHz in Baghdad carries a separate non-local
programme stream.
AFN Radio is available on the FM band as follows (all frequencies are
in MHz):
Baghdad 92.3 (Voice Channel) & 107.7 (AFN-Iraq/Freedom Radio)
Balad 107.3
Kirkuk 100.1 & 107.3
Mosul 105.1
Quyarrah/Q-West base 93.3
Sinjar 107.9
Tallil 100.1 (Voice Channel) & 107.3 (Bright AC)
Tikrit 93.3
AFN-Iraq has a website at http://www.afniraq.army.mil
The following are stations in operation before April 2003 that
continue to be heard inside Iraq:
Voice of the People of Kurdistan, operated by the PUK, currently
broadcasts on 1206 kHz mediumwave and 4025 kHz shortwave, and also on
97.5 MHz in Baghdad.
Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan, operated by the Kurdistan Democratic Party
(KDP), currently broadcasts on shortwave 6340 kHz and FM 91.4 MHz
(Salah al-Din), 91.5 MHz (Arbil) and 93.3 MHz (Dohuk). This station
also noted on 13 February 2005 broadcasting via the Hotbird 6
satellite at 13 degrees east.
Radio Azadi, Voice of the Communist Party of Iraqi Kurdistan
Voice of the Iraqi People, Voice of the Iraqi Communist Party - The
station broadcasts from northern Iraq, possibly using Kurdish
facilities.
Radio from Iran in Persian and Arabic, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain,
Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Egypt and Israel is also
heard at times.
TELEVISION --- TV stations in Iraq ([vision/]sound frequencies in MHz)
E5 175.25/180.75 MHz Al-Salam
E6 182.25/187.75 MHz Al-Nahrain, Wasit-al-Kut
E7 189.25/194.75 MHz Al-Iraqiyah Television (IMN)
189.25/194.75 MHz Al-Ghadeer TV, Najaf
E9 203.25/208.75 MHz Al-Iraqiyah (IMN)
E22 479.25/484.75 MHz Al-Iraqiyah Television (IMN)
479.25/484.75 MHz Al-Fayha TV, Basra
503.25/508.75 MHz Al-Ghadeer TV, Najaf [E25]
E26 511.25/516.75 MHz Iraq Online TV
511.25/516.75 MHz Al-Nakhil, Basra
E30 543.25/548.75 MHz Kurdsat, Sulamaniya
E31 551.25/556.75 MHz Al-Hurriyah
E33 567.75/572.75 MHz Kurdistan TV (KTVS)
567.25/572.75 MHz Voice of the South, Basra
E36 591.25/596.75 MHz Al-Rashid
E37 599.25/604.75 MHz Al-Iraqiyah (IMN)
E41 631.25/636.75 MHz Nahrain TV
E42 639.25/654.75 MHz Al-Iraqiyah, Mosul
E44 655.25/660.75 MHz Al-Iraqiyah, Basra
E45 663.25/668.75 MHz Ashur TV
E46 671.25/676.75 MHz Al-Hikmah
E48 687.25/692.75 MHz Al-Iraqiyah
E51 711.25/716.75 MHz Al-Rafidain
E54 735.25/740.75 MHz Al-Mashriq (test transmission)
E56 751.25/756.75 MHz Al-Diyar TV
E61 791.25/796.75 MHz Al-Wataniyah
E68 847.25/852.75 MHz Ahl al-Bayt, Karbala
Al-Iraqiyah, formerly known as Iraqi Media Network television launched
on 13 May 2003. The station now broadcasts 24-hours a day.
IMN TV was renamed Al-Iraqiyah TV in November 2003. The station is
available on different channels in 26 major cities and towns across
Iraq. For channel details, see the IMN website at
http://www.iraqimedianet.net
Al-Iraqiyah TV also broadcasts on the Arabsat 2D and 3A satellites at
26 degrees east.
Surveys carried out in mid-2004 indicated that Al-Iraqiyah, whose
coverage area extends to between 70-80 per cent of Iraq, was the TV
station with the most viewers.
The leading pan-Arab channel was Al-Arabiyah, followed by Al-Jazeera.
These two shared almost two-thirds of the satellite TV audience in
Iraq.
Al-Sharqiya satellite TV - Al-Sharqiya, launched in March 2004, is
owned by Iraqi businessman Sa'd al-Bazzaz, who is also the publisher
of the Arabic-language daily newspaper Al-Zaman. The channel began
regular transmission on 4 May 2004. It describes itself as "the first
private, national media project that does not represent any political,
ethnic or sectarian group".
Al-Sharqiya is a channel with an Iraqi flavour. The channel's
newscasts focus on developments in Iraq and the political, economic
and social conditions there. Between newscasts, the channel carries
talk shows and interviews, Iraqi music and drama programmes and
cartoons for children. All drama series are Iraqi in terms of
production, actors and dialect. The only non-Iraqi content is the
cartoons.
Al-Sharqiya does not air religious programming and does not carry the
calls for prayers or Friday sermons. The channel frequently broadcasts
the slogan seen in its logo "Al-Sharqiya - the truth television".
Al-Sharqiya broadcasts 24 hours a day via satellite and terrestrially.
It has offices in Baghdad and Dubai Media City. The channel is
reported by the Lyngsat satellite chart to be transmitting from the
Arabsat 2D, Hot Bird 2 and Nilesat 101 satellites, all in digital
format.
The channel has a website at http://www.alsharqiyatv.com
Al-Diyar TV - Al-Diyar (The Homeland) began official transmissions on
20 June 2004 on the Nilesat 101 satelite after a period of testing.
Al-Diyar is also available on Arabsat 2B (30.5 degrees east) and Hot
Bird 4 (13 degrees east).
The station is run by Iraqi media figure Faysal al-Yasiri in
cooperation with the pan-Arab satellite pay-TV service Arab Radio and
Television Network, ART, which contributed to setting up and financing
the new channel. ART is owned by the Saudi billionaire entrepreneur
Salih Kamil.
Under Saddam Husayn's regime, Faysal al-Yasiri served in various high-
level media posts, including head of Iraqi Radio and Television.
Baghdad Satellite Channel, began transmission in August 2005 on the
Nilesat and Eutelsat W6 satellites. The station has a Sunni Islamist
orientation, appears to be aligned with the Al-Tawafuq Front grouping
of political parties, and is opposed to the US military presence in
Iraq. Many of the station's programmes appear to be of an Islamic
nature. The station's website at http://www.baghdad-tv.net is
currently inactive.
Al-Baghdadiyah is an Iraqi satellite channel broadcasting on the
Nilesat and Hotbird satellites. It appears the channel may be operated
by the same group as the Al-Furat newspaper. The channel's director
general is Arshad Tawfiq, Iraq's former ambassador to Spain and a
former Ba'th Party official. He is now a member of the Supreme Council
for National Salvation. The station is opposed to the presence of
foreign troops in Iraq, and refers to Iraqis killed by these troops as
"martyrs". Programming mainly consists of entertainment, news and
music.
Al-Mirbad, a television channel based in Basra for the southern part
of Iraq. The station was partly financed by a UK government grant, and
much of the facilities and training was provided by the BBC World
Service Trust charity. The station is available on the Arabsat
satellite, and via terrestrial transmitters in Basra, Al Amara and
Nasiriyah
Al-Anwar (The Lights), a Shi'i satellite channel, was observed on 15
September 2004 broadcasting test transmissions on the Nilesat 102
satellite at 7 degrees west.
Al-Anwar was observed to carry the following two messages to describe
itself: "Al-Anwar: A truth in the centre of the sky" and "Al-Anwar:
Truth has only one colour."
The channel has a website at www.alanwar.tv containing only the
technical paramters required to receive Al-Anwar.
Al-Furat (The Euphrates), based in Baghdad, began test transmissions
in June 2004. The channel transmits via the Arabsat 2D satellite at 26
degrees east, Arabsat 2B at 30.5 degrees east and Nilesat 101 at 7
degrees west. In an on-screen message on 4 January 2005, Al-Furat
described itself as "the voice of genuineness and moderation". Al-
Furat was observed to express its total support for the election
platform of the Unified Iraqi Coalition, which has the backing of
Iraq's most senior Shi'i cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, and
whose electoral list comprises other key Shi'i figures such as Al-
Sayyid Abd-al-Aziz al-Hakim, Dr Ibrahim al-Ja'fari, Dr Ahmad Chalabi,
Dr Ibrahim Bahr-al-Ulum, Dr Muwaffaq al-Rubay'i and others. The
station has a website at www.alforattv.com featuring reception
parameters, contact details and a live feed of the channel.
Al-Sumariyah (reference to Sumer, an ancient region of southern
Mesopotamia in present-day southern Iraq) - This satellite TV channel
began broadcasting from Beirut on 27 September 2004, via the Nilesat
101 satellite at 7 degrees west. It is also available via PanAmSat 4
at 74 degrees east.
The channel stated that although it "operates under the licence of the
Iraqi government", it would start its broadcasts from the Lebanese
capital "for security reasons." Its shareholders are predominantly
Iraqi.
Al-Sumariya describes itself as "an independent satellite television
which aims at showing the world the true face of Iraq, and not only
images of violence." The station is owned by CET (Communication
Entertainment and Television) SAL (Offshore), according to its
website.
Al-Sumariyah TV has a website at http://www.alsumaria.tv
Al-Fayha ("The Vast", one of the Arabic names for Basra), is an Iraqi
satellite channel that began test transmissions from the UAE in July
2004. The channel uses the Nilesat 102 satellite at 7 degrees west and
is reportedly licensed in Dubai Media City. It is also available on
Hot Bird 2 at 13 degrees east.
Muhammad al-Ta'i, chairman of the board of directors and director-
general of the channel, has described Al-Fayhaa as "a purely Iraqi
national channel with no links to other regimes, governments or
parties", according to the Iraqi Shi'i group's Iran-based radio
station Voice of the Mujahidin on 27 July.
On 15 May 2005, one of the station's announcers said that it would be
forced to close following the UAE government's decision not to renew
its licence. The station confirmed this in a news bulletin monitored
on 1 February 2006.
The station has a website at http://www.alfayhaatv.net/
Nahrain TV is a Baghdad-based terrestrial TV channel which announced
plans to launch in August 2004. Nahrain ("rivers"), was financed by an
initial 25m-US dollar investment from Naguib Sawiris, chief executive
of Orascom, an Egyptian telecommunications group. Orascom also owns
Iraq's main wireless operator, Iraqna. It is operated by Video Cairo
Sat, an Egyptian production company.
Mohammed Gohar, the founder of Video Cairo Sat, told the International
Herald Tribune in remarks published on 16 August 2004: "We have no
agenda... We just want to inform and entertain and basically to help
people to cope with their daily lives in what is a very shaky and
chaotic situation."
Nahrain's offices in Baghdad employ a staff of around 80, all of them
Iraqi nationals.
A poll published by the Egypt Times on 3 May 2005 found that Nahrain
TV was the "most popular terrestrial channel" in Iraq.
According to the International Herald Tribune, Nahrain's 10-hour daily
programming schedule "includes ample doses of news and public affairs
content... interspersed with musical variety shows, children's
cartoons and recent Arabic sitcoms or dramas from Egypt or the Gulf".
The station has a website at http://www.imnsr.com/
Arabic News Broadcast - A UK-based pan-Arab satellite TV channel, on
the Hotbird 4, Eutelsat W1 and Nilesat satellites. The channel is
reported to have four regional bureaus in the Middle East and is
believed to be uplinked from Beirut.
ANB is a venture launched by a group of businessmen from different
parts of the Arab world and has "the single goal of conquering the
Iraqi market", according to the Transnational Broadcasting Studies
(TBS) journal (spring-summer 2004).
The general manager of ANB is Butrus al-Khuri, who states that ANB "is
financed by a group of businessmen from Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine and
Tunisia, and will depend exclusively on advertisements for revenue. It
will not be based only in London, but will have centres in all of
those countries. ANB's programming will be entirely in Arabic, except
for one daily news bulletin in English, as well as a weekly talk show
that will host an English native speaker."
Al-Mashriq TV - An independent television channel which started
broadcasting in June 2004 on UHF channel 54 in Baghdad. Channel
describes itself as "Al-Mashriq, the television of Iraq and Iraqis".
Ashur TV - This terrestrial TV station transmits on UHF channel 45. It
is run by the Assyrian Democratic Movement.
The channel has been observed to carry a variety of programmes that
include newscasts, science programmes, songs, drama series and other
programmes. Ashur TV has a website at http://www.ashurtv.org.
Kurdsat television - broadcasts in Kurdish on UHF channel 30 and via
the Hotbird satellite. It is run by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan
(PUK).
Al-Hurriyah [Freedom] television - broadcasts in Arabic on UHF channel
31. It is also run by the PUK.
Kurdistan Television - received in Baghdad on UHF channel 33. It is
run by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
Karbala - a local TV channel was launched on 16 April 2003, according
to United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi TV on 6 May. Similar small-scale
local channels are reported to be operating in Najaf and Kut,
according to BBC News Online reporter Tarik Kafala, who visited the
stations in June 2003. Ninawa TV was launched in mid-July 2003. The
Baghdad newspaper Al-Ittihad reported on 14 July that an independent
radio station called Ninawa Radio also operates.
Mosul TV was the "first station" to resume transmission in Iraq after
the overthrow of Saddam Husayn, Dubai-based news channel Al-Arabiya TV
reported on 10 May 2003.
Kirkuk TV channel started broadcasts on 23 April 2003 "under the
supervision of the coalition forces", according to a report by the
Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) newspaper Brayati on 25 April.
PUK TV in Kirkuk - The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan launched a new TV
channel in Kirkuk on 23 March 2004, the Baghdad newspaper Al-Mashriq
reported. The report says that its broadcasts covers Kirkuk and
surrounding areas. An official source at the station said that its
goal was to enhance brotherly relations among ethnic groups in the
city. He added that broadcasting will be in Arabic, Kurdish, Turkomen
and Syriac to include all ethnic groups in Kirkuk.
ATB TV in Kirkuk - Local TV channel ATB began test broadcasts in
Kirkuk in June 2004, initially for eight hours a day. The channel is
affiliated with the Kurdistan Communist Party.
"ATB is the seventh television channel broadcasting to Kirkuk
citizens, along with other channels affiliated with the main Kurdish,
Islamic and Turkomen parties, in addition to Kirkuk Television,
sponsored and supervised by the coalition forces. Moreover, Kirkuk has
eight radio stations broadcasting programmes in local languages spoken
by various ethnic groups in the governorate," the Baghdad newspaper
Al-Ahali reported on 16 June 2004.
Turkomaneli TV and radio was launched in Kirkuk in April 2003 and
broadcasts on behalf of the Iraqi Turkoman Front. Turkomaneli Radio
opened radio stations in Talla'far and Mosul on 6 and 8 May 2003
respectively, the Iraqi Turkoman Front newspaper Turkomaneli reported
on 11 May. The channel is available on UHF channel 56 in Kirkuk, and
on the Eurasiasat satellite at 42 degrees east. The channel operates a
website at http://www.turkomenelitv.com
Dijlah (Tigris) satellite channel, with headquarters in Mosul,
launched at the start of August 2004. It broadcasts in Kurdish and
Arabic.
Zagros TV, a Kurdish language satellite channel, based in Arbil and
available on the Eutelsat Sesat satellite at 36 degrees east orbital
position.
IRANIAN BROADCAST MEDIA ACCESSIBLE IN IRAQ --- TELEVISION
The Iran-based Al-Alam TV channel in Arabic and English is a 24-hour
news channel transmitted on four satellites (Arabsat, Asiasat, Telstar
and Hot Bird satellites) and can be received in Europe, the Middle
East, Asia and America. Al-Alam broadcasts into Baghdad from a
powerful transmitter about 150 km away, just over the Iran-Iraq
border. It is the only foreign channel that can be viewed by Iraqis
without a satellite dish. That has sent its viewership soaring among
Iraqis, who cannot afford a satellite dish and receiver.
The Arabic channel began broadcasting in February 2003. English
content currently is limited to horizontal news subtitles or news
tickers. The station has a website at http://www.alalam.ir
Sahar Universal Network 1 and 2 television, Iran's external satellite
TV service on the Hot Bird 1-6 satellites, is viewable across Iraq and
includes Arabic programming. It broadcasts on the 13 degrees East Hot
Bird 1-6 satellite daily from 0500-2300 gmt. Its website is located at
http://www.sahar.tv
Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran television in Arabic is based
in Tehran and sponsored by the state-run Vision of the Islamic
Republic of Iran. It broadcasts daily to Iraq on the Intelsat 902
satellite at 62 degrees east, 10973 MHz, vertical polarization.
RADIO
Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran (VIRI) external service in
Arabic can be heard on mediumwave and shortwave inside Iraq as well as
via the Internet at http://www.irib.ir
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Major international radio and television stations, such as pan-Arab
satellite television stations, the BBC Arabic and World Service radio,
the Paris-based Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East, US Radio Sawa and US-
sponsored Radio Free Iraq are available in Iraq.
BBC World Service is now 24 hours a day on FM in Baghdad and Basra.
The FM frequencies for Arabic programming are 89.0 MHz in Baghdad and
90.0 MHz in Basra. BBC World Service in English can be heard on FM in
Baghdad on 97.9 MHz, and in Basra on 88.0 MHz.
Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East is on FM on 88.0 MHz in Baghdad for 24
hours a day. Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East can also be heard in Basra
on 88.8 MHz and in Mosul on 88.0 MHz. Programming is mostly in Arabic,
however with 30-minute news bulletins in French from Radio France
International three times a day.
Radio France Internationale started a relay of its French-language
programme on 93.5 MHz in Baghdad on 16 February.
Radio Sawa is on FM in Baghdad (100.4 MHz), Arbil (100.5 MHz), Mosul
(106.6 MHz), Sulaymaniyah (88.0 MHz) and Basra (107.0), as well as on
1548 kHz MW from Kuwait.
Panorama FM replaced MBC FM on 88.6 MHz in the latter half of 2004,
both brands being owned by the Dubai-based Middle East Broadcasting
Corporation. 98.8 FM is owned by the Channel 4 Radio Network, which is
also based in the United Arab Emirates.
Al-Hurra TV - Since 14 February 2004 satellite viewers in Iraq and the
rest of the Arab world have been able to watch a new US government-
funded Arabic-language satellite TV channel, Al-Hurra (meaning "the
free"). The station broadcasts free-to-air via the direct-to-home
Arabsat and Nilesat satellites. It is also distributed via other
satellites.
In April 2004 a second channel, Al-Hurra Iraq, was added specifically
for Iraqi audiences. It is available by satellite and terrestrially in
Baghdad and Basra.
Syrian Arab Republic Radio is the Syrian state-owned radio. The Main
Programme broadcasts on shortwave on 12085 and 13610 kHz. It has also
been heard in Iraq on the MW frequencies of 819, 828 and 918 kHz.
Radio Kuwait is the state-owned Kuwaiti radio. It can be received in
Iraq on the MW frequency of 540 kHz 24 hours.
MAIN PRINT MEDIA
The following is a list of the main newspapers published in Iraq.
Although more than 250 newspapers and magazines appeared in Iraq since
the fall of the former regime in April 2003, reportedly only about 100
are still publishing, many of them on an irregular basis.
Al-Adalah - daily published by the Supreme Council for the Islamic
Revolution in Iraq
Al-Ahali - independent weekly; website - http://www.ahali-iraq.com
Al-Basa'ir - weekly published by the Association of Muslim Scholars in
Iraq; website - http://www.basaernews.com
Al-Bayan - published by the Islamic Da'wah Party, chaired by prime
minister Ibrahim al-Jafari; website http://www.idp-baghdad.org/bayan/
Al-Bayyinah - weekly published by the Hezbollah movement in Iraq
Al-Da'wah - daily published by the Islamic Da'wah Party
Al-Dustur - Independent daily published by former journalist Basim al-
Shaykh
Al-Furat - political daily; website - http://www.alfourat.com
Al-Iraq al-Yawm - weekly newspaper published by Isra Shakir
Ishraqat Al-Sadr - Islamic weekly associated with Muqtada al-Sadr
Al-Ittihad - daily published by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan
Al-Ittijah al-Akhar - weekly of the United Nation Party, led by
Mish'an al-Juburi; website - http://www.alitijahalakhar.com/
Al-Mada - independent daily published by Al-Mada Institution for
Media, Culture and Arts; website - http://www.almadapaper.com
Al-Manar al-Yawm - independent daily
Al-Manarah - independent political daily published by Sawt al-Janub
press, print and publishing institution in Basra; website -
http://www.almannarah.com
Al-Mashriq - daily published by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and
Cultural Investments
Al-Mu'tamar - daily published by the Iraqi National Congress
Al-Sa'ah - biweekly of the Unified National Movement, led by prominent
Sunni cleric Prof Ahmad al-Kubaysi
Al-Sabah - daily published by the Iraqi Media Network; website -
http://www.alsabaah.com/
Al-Sabah al-Jadid - independent political daily; website -
http://newsabah.com/
Al-Shira - independent daily
Tariq al-Sha'b - political and cultural weekly of the Iraqi Communist
Party; website - http://www.tareekalshaab.com
Al-Taakhi - daily published by the Kurdistan Democratic Party
Al-Ufuq - political daily published by Al-Ufuq Cultural Foundation;
website - http://www.alufuqnews.com/
Al-Zaman - Baghdad edition of London-based independent daily; website
- http://www.azzaman.com
Al-Zawra - weekly published by the Iraqi Journalists Association
Ansar al-Mahdi - Islamic political weekly affiliated with Shi'i cleric
Muqtada al-Sadr
Baghdad - daily published by the Iraqi National Accord
Bahra - general political weekly of the Assyrian Democratic Movement;
website - http://www.zowaa.org/BahraADM.htm
Dar al-Salam - weekly of the Iraqi Islamic Party; website -
http://www.dar-ussalam.net/
Sawt al-Ahali - political daily (published weekly for the time being)
of the National Democratic Party
Source: BBC Monitoring research 24 Feb 06 (via DXLD 6-037)
...............................................................
Other - MYANMAR
DEMOCRATIC VOICE OF BURMA SAYS IT'S NO LONGER JAMMED
Aye Chan Naing, director of the Democratic Voice of Burma which
broadcasts into the country from shortwave transmitters in several
locations, including the Radio Netherlands Madagascar relay station, says
that the station is no longer being jammed by the Burmese government.
Naing says that these days even the military junta is making use of the
station. "In the beginning it was risky to listen to the radio station
and the government would jam it, but not any more. Gradually even the
civil servants started listening to us, as it is the only way to get
reliable information. Their own media will for instance never show
Burmese historians in exile talking about the history of Burma in a
critical way."
Read the report from Inter Press Service News Agency
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=32255
(A.Sennit-HOL in Media Network blog Feb 22, 2006 via DXLD 6-034)
...............................................................
Other - NEPAL
Nepal Maoist Leader Talks to BBC
http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?article_class=3&
no=274192&rel_no=1
For nearly 10 years, he was a mysterious person. Some even doubted his
existence, but from this week, Prachanda, Nepal's elusive guerilla
leader, surprised everyone by giving an interview, photographs and even a
TV appearance on the BBC.
First it was Kantipur, and Kathmandu Post, the most influential
newspapers in country, that interviewed him face to face for the first
time. They published one of the clearest pictures of the Maoist leader.
Then, an Indian daily, The Hindu published an interview and pictures of
Prachanda.
Then on Monday, Feb. 13, Nepalese woke up in surprise because BBC's
morning program "Asia Today" was televising an interview with Prachanda,
his first TV interview in his life.
This was the first face-to-face broadcast interview given by the Maoist's
chairman, who has been living an underground existence for 25 years, the
BBC claimed.
Prachanda made many harsh statements about the king and the monarchy,
saying the only future he can envisage for King Gyanendra is exile or
trial. He said a trial of the king might take place in a "people's
court," leading to possible execution.
That was the harshest statement ever to come from a rebel Maoist in their
10 years of what they called a "people's war."
The government did not take any action against the BBC or its Internet
site. Last September, when the BBC's Nepali service recorded an audio
interview with Prachanda, the government took action against Radio
Sagarmatha, ordering the station to be shut down immediately, and blocked
the BBC's Web site for a couple of days.
A spokesperson of the royal government, Shirish Rana, however, called a
press conference later in the day and said Prachanda's remarks about the
king were "highly objectionable" and ""unfortunate." He warned
journalists indirectly not to publish any news and views of what he
called "terrorists and their activities."
"I'm reminding you all, there is a law about this," he warned.
The BBC said Prachanda was "saddened" by the number of deaths in the
conflict --some 13,000 -- and by what he called accidents, such as the
death of children in bomb blasts.
Against a dark background, Prachanda spoke mostly in Nepali, and
sometimes in English as well. The BBC did not disclose when and where its
reporter, Charles Haviland, managed to conduct the interview. Haviland
wrote, "The 52-year-old man I met, with his speckled beard, was
mild-mannered, shy, joking, laughing nervously -- more humorous than
intimidating, and without the overt charisma of some revolutionary
leaders. He looked more like a popular uncle than a communist who has
been underground since 1981 and waging war for a decade."
Prachanda told Haviland that his son, Prakash Dahal, and three daughters
were all in the movement, as was his wife, Sarita, whom he had met
through the Party.
Born Dec. 11, 1954, Prachanda is the leader of the Communist Party of
Nepal (Maoist). The party launched the Nepalese People's War on Feb. 13
1996, and through armed conflict now controls large portions of Nepal.
More than 11,500 people have been killed in the conflict, and an
estimated 100,000 to 150,000 people have been internally displaced.-
(english.ohmynews.com via Z.Liangas-GRC Feb 17, 2006 for CRW)
...............................................................
Other - ZIMBABWE
Radio station trustees appear in Zimbabwe court
February 28 2006
Harare
Five trustees of a Netherlands-based radio station, who have been charged
with illegally possessing transmitting equipment, appeared in court in
Harare Tuesday as their lawyer tried to get the case against them thrown
out.
John Masuku, Millie Phiri, Arnold Tsunga, Nhlanha Ngwenya and David
Masunda, all trustees of the Voice of the People (VOP) radio station,
appeared before the Harare magistrates' court on a remand hearing. They
are currently out of custody.
A sixth trustee, Isabella Matambanadzo, is based in South Africa and was
not in court.
Lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa said she was trying to get the case against the
six thrown out. "We do not believe there is a case against them. The
facts alleged by the state do not reveal a crime," said Mtetwa.
VOP's troubles began last December, when police raided the station's
Harare offices and arrested Masuku, the director of the station.
Computers and documents were also seized. Masuku was charged with
illegally possessing transmitting equipment.
Five other trustees turned themselves in to police last month and were
similarly charged.
Under Zimbabwe's strict broadcasting laws no independent radio station
has yet been licensed to operate. VOP got around that prohibition by
compiling its reports locally and sending them outside the country for
broadcast back into the country via shortwave.
It did not have any transmission equipment in the country. Mtetwa said
the state's expert witness revealed Tuesday that he did not know how the
station broadcasts its programmes. "He says he doesn't know where the
transmission takes place from," she said.
Zimbabwe's four radio stations and only television station are all state
run. At least three independent radio stations, including VOP, broadcast
their programmes into the country via shortwave.
Closing arguments in the VOP case are due to be heard on Wednesday,
Mtetwa said. She did not know when judgement would be delivered.
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=84&art_id=qw114114852189
3R131#jump
(iol.co.za Feb 28, 2006 via M.Terry-G in DXLD-ML)
FARCICAL START TO VOP TRIAL
By Tererai Karimakwenda 28 February 2006
http://www.swradioafrica.com/news280206/voptrial280206.htm
Tuesday was the first day of trial for the six directors of Voice of the
People radio, and by most accounts, the proceedings seemed like a joke.
The VOP directors were on trial at the Harare Magistrates Court, charged
with contravening sections of the draconian Broadcasting Act. The state
claims the 6 directors are guilty of running a station that is
broadcasting without a license. And yet, as the only 2 witnesses called
today testified, VOP does not and cannot broadcast from Zimbabwe because
they do not have a transmitter or a booster. In other words, the state’s
witness agreed with the defense.
Those facing charges are David Masunda, Arnold Tsumba, Lawrence Chibwe,
Nhlanhla Ngwenya, Millie Phiri and Isabella Matambanadzo. The Penalty for
breaching the Broadcasting Act can be $5 million dollar or a two years in
jail. The directors were arrested after police used illegal tactics to
force them to turn themselves in. First, they raided the VOP offices in
Harare and arrested reporters Maria Nyanyiwa, Takunda Chigwanda and
Nyasha Bosha. Then they returned on December 15 and arrested other staff
members. They were all later released without charge after the directors
reported to police.
Itai Zimunya of The Crisis Coalition was in the magistrate court on
Tuesday for the first day of trial. He said the experts were asked rather
silly questions like whether or not a microphone or a computer can
broadcast. The idea of sending e-mails as a means to broadcast was also
questioned. But Zimunya said he sees a method to this seemingly pointless
questioning. He thinks the government knows they will not succeed should
they pursue the original charges. He believes the expert witnesses on
Tuesday pretty much destroyed that possibility. Zimunya said the
prosecution appears to be already building a case centered around the
production-end of the VOP broadcasts. He believes the charge will most
likely change from contravening the Broadcast Act, tp will They [sic]
be building original charge will not using or whether computers can send
broadcast signals eithtrial began [sic] The reporters were held in filthy
cells for four days. This was not the first time that VOP has been
targeted. In August 2002, its offices were petrol bombed by assailants
suspected to be government agents. In an effort to circumvent, Zimbabwe`s
laws, VOP broadcasts on shortwave from its transmitter in Madagascar
(SW Radio Africa Feb 28, 2006 via A.Bigley-USA in WORLD OF RADIO 1306 via
DXLD 6-038)
VOP TRUSTEES APPEAR IN COURT --- February 28, 2006
Five trustees of a Netherlands-based radio station, who have been charged
with illegally possessing transmitting equipment, appeared in court in
Harare Today as their lawyer tried to get the case against them thrown
out. . .
http://www.inkundla.net/indaba/2006/Nhlolanja/vop1.php
(inkundla.net Feb 28, 2006 via A.Bigley-USA in DXLD 6-038)
------------xxxxxxxxxx Sources xxxxxxxxxx----------------------
Contributors: Anker Petersen, Edward Kusalik, José Miguel Romero, Nicolas
Eramo, Vladimir Rozhkov, Wolfgang Büschel, Zacharias Liangas
In order to unsubscribe please login to www.clandestineradio.com or to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crwatch/ and change your user settings.
______________________________________________________