Radio Farda Returns to Shortwave

Radio Farda Returns to Shortwave

Starting Saturday, January 10, 2026  Radio Farda broadcasts are back on shortwave radio, you can listen to and follow Radio Farda's programs on shortwave through these frequencies:

 

0530-0800 UTC on 15430 kHz

0800-1200 UTC on  15110 kHz

1200-1500 UTC on  15310 kHz

1500-1700 UTC on 13755 kHz

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) has resumed shortwave radio broadcasts into Iran following the imposition of an internet blackout by the Islamic Republic. Working with several commercial vendors, RFE/RL's Persian-language service Radio Farda is once again providing an alternative to state-controlled media. Radio Farda reaches 6.5 million Iranians inside the country each week across digital platforms.

As nationwide protests in Iran continue, Radio Farda remains a lifeline for the people of Iran, providing vital news and insight, amplifying the voices of activists, verifying the deaths of protesters, and delivering expert analysis on the developing U.S. response.

President & CEO Stephen Capus said:

"At this historic moment, when the Iranian people have been plunged into digital darkness by their government, Radio Farda's return to the airwaves is an essential breakthrough. We're reaching the people of Iran with the facts they need to stay safe – and ensuring their voices continue to be heard. Our journalists at Radio Farda are working nonstop to fulfill our commitment to the people of Iran."

In the week leading up to the Islamic Republic's internet blackout, Radio Farda's digital reach surged. Between January 2-8, Radio Farda's Instagram content was viewed at least 30 million times per day – 241.8 million views total – with 96% coming from Iran. Between December 28-January 5, Instagram video viewership rose by 411% over the previous seven-day period, with engagements soaring by 481%.

Radio Farda is a primary source of international perspectives on the crisis for Iranians, providing the latest statements from U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority, and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), as well as analyses of the crisis and its impact on U.S. and foreign policy debates and analysis by experts such as Jack Goldstone, Michael Sobolik, Michael Rubin, and Ilan Berman.

(RFE/RL Press Release with additional inputs)

BBC World Service launches emergency shortwave radio service for Sudan

The programme, which will be broadcast live in London with input from teams in Amman and Cairo, will air on short wave in Sudan and be available on radio, online and across social media

The BBC World Service has launched an emergency pop-up radio service on BBC News Arabic for Sudan to provide vital access to news and information for those in the country.

Broadcast twice daily, and complementing our enhanced digital content, the service will feature eye witness accounts, news on diplomatic efforts and serve to counter disinformation in the country. Listeners will also hear information on how to access essential supplies and services as well as analysis from voices inside and outside Sudan.

The programme, which will be broadcast live in London with input from teams in Amman and Cairo, will air on short wave in Sudan and be available on radio, online and across social media.

Tim Davie, BBC Director-General, says: "The World Service provides an essential lifeline to many around the world where access to accurate news and information is scarce. The enhanced emergency service for Sudan will be crucial at a time of great uncertainty in the country."

Liliane Landor, Director, World Service, says: "The situation in Sudan has escalated quickly with its citizens seeking clear, independent information and advice at a time of critical need. BBC Arabic's Emergency Radio Service for Sudan will bring vital live updates of the situation on the ground and inform listeners of life-saving resources."

The programme will broadcast twice daily for three months at 0700 UTC (8am BST, 9am local time) on 21510 kHz and 1500 UTC (4pm BST, 5pm local time) on 15310 kHz. The first programme will be available on Tuesday 2 May at 1500 UTC.

The BBC World Service has a history of responding to emergency situations globally. Most recently, in February 2022, the BBC News Ukraine service began extended TV bulletins following the invasion of the country.

Source : BBC Media Center

BBC requests listeners' observations on jamming in Asia

Chris Greenway (via WOR list) reports that his colleagues in the BBC's transmission department are seeking observations of the jamming of some BBC WS English transmissions from listeners in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Hong Kong, South-East Asia and Central Asia. They would particularly like to receive reception reports about the following frequencies:

5970 kHz at 0000-0100 UTC

12095 kHz at 0100-0200 UTC

12065 kHz at 1200-1300 UTC

15310 kHz at 1200-1300 UTC

9410 kHz at 1300-1400 UTC

12065 kHz at 1300-1400 UTC (different site to 1200-1300 transmission on same freq, so reports on both hours requested)

If you can help, please send your reports to worldservice.letters@bbc.co.uk, making sure you give your location. You can keep the reports simple, just giving date, time, frequency and what you heard.