BBC fails to air Shipping Forecast for first time in more than 90 years

Radio 4 suffers technical fault meaning World Service broadcast instead of weather forecast that first went on air in 1924. 

 

It was early-morning chaos and warnings of impending armageddon when BBC Radio 4 failed to broadcast the Shipping Forecast for the first time in more than 90 years.

 

The BBC radio service is something of an institution, metronomically broadcasting four forecasts a day since 1924, a routine which failed for the first time at 5.20am on Friday.

Source, credit & further reading at :

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/may/30/bbc-chipping-forecast-fail-broadcast-radio-4

International broadcasters protest against intentional jamming from Ethiopia

International broadcasters protest against intentional jamming from Ethiopia Due to intentional jamming from Ethiopia the reception of TV programs by Deutsche Welle and numerous other international broadcasters is currently severely impacted in large parts of the Arab world.

BBC, France 24 and Voice of America are also among the broadcasters affected by the jamming.

The satellite provider Arabsat has identified Ethiopia as the source of the strong jamming signals on all its three satellites. Ethiopian authorities have not responded to the incident yet.

Peter Limbourg, director general of Deutsche Welle: "This is a gross violation of the internationally recognized right of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Deutsche Welle, BBC, France 24 and Voice of America strongly condemn this action against the free flow of impartial information. We urge the Ethiopian authorities to immediately cease the jamming."

While Deutsche Welle's short wave programs have been repeatedly target of jamming from Ethiopia, the current incident appears not to be aimed at specific broadcasters or programs. The jamming of satellite programs constitutes a violation of international agreements, but the practice is nevertheless on the rise. The most recent incidents occurred in 2011 and 2012 via Iran.

In the Arab world Deutsche Welle is available through its TV channel "DW Arabia." Selected radio programs in Arabic are available via partner stations throughout the region.

(Press Release)

BBC World Service increases broadcasts to Thailand

As authorities in Thailand take key national and international channels off air in the country, BBC World Service has increased its shortwave English-language radio broadcasts to Thailand, to continue the delivery of its independent news and analysis to audiences there. 

From 1am GMT on Monday 26 May, BBC World Service expanded its availability via shortwave to Thailand by adding 10 hours of broadcasts to its daily shortwave schedule (all times GMT):

01:00-03:00 UTC on 11600 kHz

03:00-05:00 UTC on 7370 kHz

05:00-11:00 UTC on 11700 kHz

Acting Director of BBC World Service Group, Liliane Landor, says: "In times of national crisis, there is an acute need for accurate, trusted and impartial news. This is why, with our international TV news channel off the air in Thailand, we have increased BBC World Service radio broadcasts in the country."

The above transmissions add to BBC World Service's six hours of shortwave broadcasts at peak times for Thailand.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/world-service-thailand

(BBC World Service Press Release)

DRM to participate with a special broadcast in the International Radio for Disaster Relief (IRDR) Trial

Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) to participate with a special broadcast in the International Radio for Disaster Relief (IRDR) Trial on June 5th and 6th

The Emergency Warning Features (EWF) of the DRM system will be featured in a special broadcast included in the IRDR Trial to coincide with the Media Summit on Climate Change to be held June 4th - 6th 2014 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The aim of the trial - special programmes carried by twelve important broadcasters- is to demonstrate that shortwave broadcasting has a unique value for affected populations and

that the existing framework of global shortwave coordination can be employed for disaster risk purposes.  Special clear channels have been selected for the IRDR Trial and there will be transmissions from a number of different broadcasters and sites between 0200 and 1130 UTC each day of the Media Summit. 

The DRM Consortium have produced a 30 minute long programme explaining the benefits of the DRM EWF which can be heard on the BBC/Babcock transmissions on 15650 kHz at 03:00 – 03:30, 04:00 – 04:30 and 05:00 – 05:30 UTC on both the 5th and 6th of June.

The special DRM radio programme explains what the inbuilt emergency functionality of DRM is and how alarm signals generated by the authorities can override running programmes and carry the emergency message instantly to large numbers of people. The DRM special broadcast will be an inviting introduction to the DRM presentation and demonstration to be given by Alexander Zink, Vice-Chair of the DRM Consortium (and Senior Business Development Manager, Fraunhofer IIS, Germany) on June 6th in the morning, at the Media Summit on Climate.

"During emergencies and times of crisis, most of the services fail", says Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Consortium Chairman, "radio is the last line of communication and the obvious solution for bringing information to the people. We are very excited to have our first radio broadcast on the in-built emergency disaster functionality of DRM during such an important event like the one in Jakarta."

For those interested in the DRM special broadcast this will be made available very soon on: www.drm.org

(DRM Consortium Press Release)

Radio Australia asks for HELP !

Via ARDXC List ........

-----Original Message-----

From: Friends of the ABC NSW & ACT

On Behalf Of Friends of the ABC NSW & ACT
Sent: Saturday, 24 May 2014 6:14 PM
To: Craig Seager
Subject: Radio Australia asks for HELP!

To Craig Seager,

Please take a few moments to write to the Managing Director of the ABC in support of the staff of Radio Australia, who are facing a 60% cut in funding, not by the  government directly, but by ABC management!   Mal Hewitt - President, Friends of the ABC NSW.

Message from Jemima Garrett, Pacific Economic and Business reporter, ABC Radio Australia
****************************************************************************************
As a long term member of ABC staff I am writing to you now because of a new and urgent threat to Radio Australia.
As I am sure you know Radio Australia is a vital service in the Pacific Islands reporting on and covering issues that no other media outlet covers. It has huge audience ratings but is often forgotten in Australia because it is not heard here.
The cuts to Australia Network are now set to affect Radio Australia as well.
In tough time radio is an inexpensive and effective way of maintaining our expertise so that we are ready to rise like a phoenix when the political environment improves.
It is also able to report on more issues, in more depth and more quickly than TV and therefore is an important source for and method of keeping ouor online offering as rich and varied as possible.

Please send you views to
Managing Director scott.mark@abc.net.au,
Director of News torney.kate@abc.net.au,
Director of International marshall.lynley@abc.net.au,
Head of ABC News Content morris.gaven@abc.net.au,
Editor ABC Asia Pacific News Centre steele.deborah@abc.net.au
and staff elected Director Matt Peacock peacock.matt@abc.net.au.

Background
**********
ABC management is looking at how to cope with the budget cuts resulting from the cancellation of the Australia Network contract.

This doesn't just affect Australia Network but may result in substantial cuts to Radio Australia as the ABC tries to use some of the money it still has for radio to keep some TV programs, contracts in Asia, the mobile and online services connected with Australia Network going too.

The scale of the cut is huge - 60 per cent of our budget has been lost ($21 of $35 million a year). This is for broadcasts to a geographic area ranging French Polynesia in the east to India in the west and FSM and China in the north.

_______________________________________________
ARDXC mailing list

HFCC International Disaster Relief Special Broadcast

The HFCC's International Radio for Disaster Relief project is still on track for a major test of international shortwave broadcasters on June 5 and 6.  The HFCC states that the test will focus on CIRAF Zone 54, Indonesia.

HFCC Tentative scheduling during Jakarta Media Summit June 5 (Thurs) and June 6 (Fri), 2014

0200 - 0230 UTC        Radio Australia  Shepparton         Australia    21840 kHz

0230 - 0530 UTC        BBC                  Nakhon Sawan  Thailand  15650 kHz *
0500 - 0530 UTC        Vatican Radio   Santa Maria      Vatican    21840 kHz

0530 - 0600 UTC        SLBC                Trincomalee       Sri Lanka     15650 kHz
0600 - 0700 UTC        FEBC                Manila               Philippines    15650 kHz 

0730 - 0800 UTC        MGLOB            Talata                Madagascar 21840 kHz  250 kW

0800 - 0830 UTC        RFA/VOA         Thailand or        Philippines    15650 kHz

0830 - 0900 UTC        NHK-WRN       Medorm           Palau            15650 kHz

0900 - 0930 UTC        RFA/VOA         Thailand or        Philippines    15650 kHz      

1000 - 1030 UTC        All India Radio    Bangalore         India             15650 kHz 500 kW

1030 - 1100 UTC        China Radio Intl. Beijing              China            21840 kHz

1100 - 1130 UTC        KTWR               Merizo              Guam           15650 kHz

* Special program on DRM at 0300, 0400 & 0500 UTC (in analog mode)

The bolded times overlap, for a possible test to see if the receivers automatically switch to the transmitter carrying the emergency warning.

Shortwave listeners and DX hobbyists have been invited to send in reception reports to stations and/or to the HFCC. The HFCC is going to issue a special QSL card.

Here's the updated schedule courtesy ReliefAnalysis.com

http://www.reliefanalysis.com/2014/05/international-radio-for-disaster-relief.html

More info at :
http://hfcc.org/humanitarian/irdrtrial.phtml

Related :
http://www.abu.org.my/Latest_News-@-Trial_of_disaster_warning_and_relief_broadcasts_coincides_with_ABU_summit.aspx


DRM Program for IRDR Test

https://soundcloud.com/digital-radio-mondiale/ict-prog-for-drm-website 

Media Summit on climate change, ICT's and disaster risk reduction
http://www.abu.org.my/Event-_-ccdrr.aspx

The Mighty KBC Listener Appreciation Contest

Commemorating KBC Import/Export 25th Anniversary, KBC Import/Export announces The Mighty KBC Listener Appreciation Contest.

The contest runs from May 1, 2014 until December 31, 2014.

Prize

Brand new Tecsun PL-660 receiver including rechargeable batteries, ear buds, manual and soft case. More Tecsun PL-660 information at the KBC Import/Export website.

Contest Rules

Send a valid reception report of a Mighty KBC broadcast. One report/entry per person per broadcast is acceptable. Please include the following items in the reception report.

Date of reception.

Time of reception.

Frequency of reception.

Program Details.

Program Comments.

Reception Conditions.

Receiving Equipment.

Contact information as we need a way to contact the winner.

Program comments are very important. Only a report including program comments are considered as a valid contest entry. Please do not send same comment every time. Also, please send something meaningful other than "I really liked the show", etc. Tell us what was enjoyed about the show. Tell us what was not liked about the show. Tell us if part of the show is very enjoyable compared to the other parts of the show. Tell us if a part of the show should never be heard again!

Good or bad program comments are OK. Please describe/explain comment.

Send report indicating The Mighty KBC Listener Appreciation Contest either by email or postal mail.

Email address is themightykbc@gmail.com

Postal address is

The Mighty KBC

Argonstraat 6

6718 WT Ede

The Netherlands

The more valid reports, the better chance a listener has of winning the contest.

Winner Selection and Notification

One winner is determined in a random draw by KBC Import/Export.

KBC Import/Export decision is final.

Winner is responsible for paying any import taxes, duties, etc.

Prize is not transferrable.

Prize is not exchangeable.

Winner agrees to allow KBC Import/Export to use winner's name and country of residence for promotional purposes.

Winner provides a valid mailing address as we'll be sending the prize via the postal mail. If winner does not provide a valid mailing address within a reasonable amount of time the winner is disqualified and KBC Import/Export has the right to draw another random name of valid entries as the winner.

The Mighty KBC Listener Appreciation Contest is open to listeners around the world. Employees of KBC Import/Export, The Mighty KBC DJs/personalities and employees of the Nauen, Germany transmission site are not permitted to participate in the contest.

The Mighty KBC Listener Appreciation Contest is sponsored by KBC Import/Export and Kraig Krist, KG4LAC.  

Source : http://www.kbcradio.eu/index.php?dir=contest

RNZI CEO eyes global platform

Radio New Zealand's chief executive is calling on the world's public service broadcasters to join forces in providing a global digital news and information service. Paul Thompson made the call during a speech to the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association conference in Glasgow.

More at : 

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/244138/rnz-ceo-eyes-global-platform

BBG Signs Agreement to Provide Live VOA News in Nigeria

WASHINGTON – The Broadcasting Board of Governors announced an agreement with Channels Television, one of the 13 independent Nigerian TV stations. For the first time, Voice of America correspondents will report on events as they happen from around the world for the Channels evening newscasts.

"We are excited to deepen our innovative and interactive relationship with Channels TV," said BBG Governor Matt Armstrong, who signed the agreement at an Association of International Broadcasters conference in London.  "We will work together collaboratively to cover local and global events, from Lagos, Washington, DC, and around the world based on VOA's trusted news and information and the journalists at Channels TV. "

VOA's English-language reports will air on the Channels prime-time evening programs "The World Today" at 5:30 pm and "News at Ten" at 10:00 pm local time.  Channels TV is popular with English-speaking Nigerians and has approximately a 15 percent audience share of adults over age 15.

This affiliate agreement is an expansion of an ongoing partnership. A Channels TV correspondent is a regular contributor to VOA's Africa54 daily television news program.   VOA has been providing Channels with correspondent reports from Ukraine, Cairo, and London, as well as feature, news, entertainment, health, and sports reports.

Speaking at the signing, John Momoh, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Channels TV, observed, "There is a trend in partnership and collaboration is needed amongst ourselves and with organizations like the Voice of America."  He added, "Nigeria's digital future is promising."

VOA provides news and information programming to Nigeria via radio, mobile and online platforms, in both English and Hausa.  In addition to its website, radio broadcasts and popular mobile site, the Hausa Service recently launched DandalinVOA, a 24/7 mobile phone platform that provides users with the latest analyses, breaking news and information.

(BBG Press Release)

Radio Pakistan to restore medium wave transmission

Addressing Guest Hour programme of Peshawar Press Club here on Monday, PBC Director General Samina Pervaiz said that medium wave transmission would be revived in Karachi, Multan, Hyderabad and Larkana.

More at :

 

http://www.dawn.com/news/1108855/radio-pakistan-to-restore-medium-wave-transmission

RFI European Parliament election special broadcast

In Europe, between 22 to 25 May, European Parliament election will be held, this time it is the first election be carried out ahead of schedule in June. It has attracted attention is expected to increase the momentum in the European Parliament. RFI will broadcast a special program of 30 minutes from 12th to 22nd May, 2014 at 1100-1130 UTC

1100-1130 UTC , May 12 - May 22, 2014

Eastern Europe: 15300 - Southern Europe: 9790

North Africa: 15300 - Central Africa: 21690

West Africa: Dakar to: 15300

West Africa: towards Abidjan: 17630

Eastern Africa - Middle East - Middle East: 17630

Central America: 21690 - South America: 21690

North America: 17630 - South East Asia - North India: 21620

(Source : Hiroshi's Blog and RFI Website)

Radio Australia next on the chopping block ?

Text of Press Release by ABC on budget cuts .....

The ABC's budget will be cut by $120m over the next four years as a result of decisions made by the Federal Government in tonight's budget. Operational funding cuts of close to $40m over four years will come on top of the termination of the $220 million contract to deliver the international broadcasting service, Australia Network. The 2014-15 budget also foreshadows further significant funding cuts in the wake of the Lewis review into the operations of the ABC and SBS.

"The funding cuts will be disappointing for audiences. The government gave repeated commitments before and after the election that funding for the Corporation would be maintained," the ABC's Managing Director, Mark Scott said.

Mr Scott said while the ABC would look to make its operations more efficient, the funding cuts would regrettably and inevitably result in redundancies and a reduction in services. The ABC Board and Executive would need time to work out the full impact and to review strategies and internal budgets.

Mr Scott said the decision to cut the funding for Australia Network was very disappointing, given the ABC was only one year into a 10-year contract with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

"Countries around the world are expanding their international broadcasting services as key instruments of public diplomacy. The ABC had negotiated a detailed strategy with DFAT to develop relationships with major broadcasters in the region and to target locals likely to trade, study in or travel to Australia. This partnership had resulted in expanded audiences in key markets and was on track to deliver all agreed targets.

"This decision runs counter to the approach adopted by the vast majority of G-20 countries who are putting media at the centre of public diplomacy strategies to engage citizens in other countries.

"It sends a strange message to the region that the government does not want to use the most powerful communication tools available to it to talk to our regional neighbours about Australia.

"The agreed strategy with DFAT based on broadcasting, online partnerships and social media was proving successful. This decision cannot be justified in terms of performance against agreed priorities."

Mr Scott said the ABC Board would now have to examine how the ABC delivers its international Charter obligation, which requires it to broadcast programs that, among other things, "encourage awareness of Australia and an international understanding of Australian attitudes on world affairs".

In addition to the funding cuts, the ABC will also have to manage the cessation of funding for the online disability website,ABC Ramp Up at the end of this financial year.

Mr Scott said the ABC was aware of the tight fiscal environment and constantly reviewed its strategy and performance to find better work practices and greater efficiencies.

"The ABC is very tightly geared. We have been diligent in reducing backroom costs over recent years to ensure the ABC can deliver better and more varied content to our audiences. That strategy has enabled the ABC to self-fund important new initiatives like iview, ABC News24, triple j Unearthed online and a range of other new digital services."

Mr Scott said the budget made it clear the Lewis efficiency exercise would impose additional demands on ABC budgets over the next few years. The Department of Communications has been conducting a study into ABC and SBS efficiency with the assistance of ex-Channel 7 CFO and recently appointed CFO of Southern Cross Austereo, Peter Lewis.

"The task ahead will be extremely challenging for ABC management and staff," Mr Scott said.

"We will need to make funding cuts, while trying to also save money to invest in new priorities to ensure the ABC remains a compelling feature of the Australian media landscape – a public broadcaster in the digital era."

(Press Release)

And here are few tweets on the budget cuts :

Retweeted by Radio Australia News

Karen Barlow ‏@KJBar  2h

The ABC contract to run Australia Network is to be terminated. The measure is expected to save almost $197m over nine years #budget2014

Retweeted by Radio Australia News

Simon Cullen ‏@Simon_Cullen  1h

ABC & SBS will have their budgets cut by 1%. ABC also loses the contract for the Australia Network TV channel.

Retweeted by Radio Australia News

DEBORAH STEELE ‏@debsteele123  1h

The Australian government to pay the ABC $10.6m in 2014-15 to wind down Australia Network @ausnetwork

Retweeted by Radio Australia News

Simon Cullen ‏@Simon_Cullen  1h

ABC boss Mark Scott says the #budget cut will result in redundancies and a reduction in services. Full statement: http://about.abc.net.au/press-releases/abc-budget-response/ …

RFE/RL and VOA Affiliate Stations Forced Off the Air in Ukraine

WASHINGTON- Television and radio stations in eastern Ukraine carrying programming of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America have been forced off the air, depriving audiences of popular sources of unbiased news and information.

 

On May 12 at 10:30 a.m. local time, unidentified, Russian-speaking armed men forced employees to turn off the transmitter at a station in Donetsk used by RFE/RL broadcast affiliate Radio Era FM. The men then reconfigured the transmitter to broadcast programming from "Radio Respublika," a previously unknown station airing Russian state radio programs and other pro-Russian content. RFE/RL programs normally run on Radio Era FM from 6-7 a.m. and 9-10 p.m. Monday through Friday but are currently off the air. This follows a shutdown of Radio Era's FM transmitter in Crimea on March 9.

 

RFE/RL Editor-in-Chief Nenad Pejic condemned the Radio Era FM takeover, stating that "millions of Ukrainian citizens are being deprived of access to accurate, verifiable information about what is happening around them, at a crucial juncture in their lives. The seizure of Radio Era FM's transmitter is a deplorable violation of the universal right to freedom of opinion and expression."  

 

Voice of America is also experiencing disruptions to its programming in the area. Channel 5, which broadcasts the VOA Ukrainian Service  news program Chas-Time, has lost its terrestrial signal in several cities in the eastern part of the country, including Donetsk and Luhansk. According to Channel 5, several cable providers in the region have also been threatened, potentially further disrupting distribution via cable.

 

Despite the increasingly dangerous environment for reporters in the region, VOA and RFE/RL  have been providing much-needed news and information. Threats to journalists in Ukraine have been escalating, and on May 1, an RFE/RL video crew was attacked while covering a demonstration in Kharkiv.

 

On May 2, masked, angry men carrying knives and axes threatened two VOA video reporters in Donetsk. In addition, a VOA reporter working in the Donetsk area returned to Kyiv for a few days after being warned that he was on a "snatch list" of journalists targeted for capture.   He has since returned to Donetsk.

 

(BBG Press Release)

Radio Nepal launches new website for its regional broadcasting station at Dipayal

Rado Nepal has launched a new website for it's Regional Broadcasting Center at Dipayal, Doti. Radio Nepal has a regional station in Dipayal, Silgadhi which transmits various programs of mass interest on MW 810 kHz using a 10 kW transmitter.

New website is still under construction and can be accessed at :

http://www.radionepaldipayal.org/

http://dipayal.radionepal.gov.np/

Transradio Offers Fully Integrated DRM Solution

by Christian Hörlle

 

The DMOD3-CS combines an advanced and highly successful DRM exciter, DMOD3, with a high-quality DRM audio/multimedia encoder and multiplex generator based on Fraunhofer's DRM ContentServer R5 technology. This technology includes the superior new xHE-AAC audio codec which was just integrated into the DRM standard in January.

More at :

http://www.radioworld.com/article/transradio-offers-fully-integrated-drm-solution/270195

 

About DMOD3 :

http://www.transradio.de/download/flyer/AM-DRM/1110WM-Transradio-DMOD3-web.pdf

 

Belgian Radio Marks 100 Years

March 28 marked 100 years of radio in Belgium
 

On that date a century ago, the country's first trial broadcast was aired from the Royal Palace of Laeken. Today, the medium in Belgium attracts more than 4.2 million listeners.

 

To kick off the celebration, French-language broadcasters held an exposition entitled "Vu à la radio" ("Seen on the radio").  

More at :

http://www.radioworld.com/article/belgian-radio-marks--years/270163