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ftm Radio Page - February 12, 2016

Great radio, innovation and risk
“lifesaving”

The great and the good of the international community paused to salute World Radio Day, the annual UNESCO event celebrating the contributions of the medium, February 13th. This year’s focus is radio broadcasting’s outreach to people challenged by disaster and relocation. Many functions have been planned to highlight the message.

“For people in shattered societies, or caught in catastrophe, or desperately seeking news, radio brings lifesaving information,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a statement released by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). “This year, as we start carrying out the Sustainable Development Goals, let us resolve to use radio for human progress. On this World Radio Day, let us resolve to prove that radio saves lives.”

“New developments in radio technology and in the transmission and delivery of radio content, especially through mobile devices and through on-demand media platforms, further extend the means to engage disaster-affected communities,” continued the ITU statement. “These digital innovations are increasingly important in delivering effective disaster preparedness and prevention, while reinforcing the importance of community radio services.” (See the ITU statement here)

The list of significant efforts to reach the vulnerable and needy through radio platforms is long and impressive. Some are organized by well-known agencies, others by volunteers. Online radio channel Jungala Radio, for example, has been broadcasting via Soundcloud since New Year’s Day by and for refugees in the Calais camps. Radio channels and broadcasts for migrant and refugee communities have also been established in Sweden, Germany and Greece.

Twelve-year old Media and Cooperation in Transition (MiCT), a Berlin-based media outreach agency, has earned notice in recent months, perhaps more than wanted, for developing small FM repeater transmitters that are surreptitiously inserted into Syria. “The advantage of this thing is, it’s rather small,” said MiCT project manager Philipp Hochleichter, quoted by Time (February 1). “It runs on 12 volts, so you can run it from your car battery. It’s easy to transport. It’s easy to hide.”

Unruly market to get more frequencies, licenses and rules
“certain obligations”

Radio broadcasters in Greece will soon face a new challenge - licenses. Next month a new FM frequency map for Attica (greater Athens) will be revealed, said Alternate Transport Minister Christos Spirtzis, quoted by I Avgi (February 7). After the requisite period of public consultation broadcasters will be invited to fill out the appropriate forms.

“Our goal is not to disadvantage anybody,” said Minister Spirtzis. “In any case, it will be preceded by an exhaustive dialogue.” Only in the Attica region has Greek radio broadcasting be subjected to licensing rules. Fifteen stations were awarded four year licenses in 2001 and 2002. All were simply renewed thereafter. Licensing national television stations is also in process. (See more about media in Greece here)

The new frequency map may offer more allocations by reducing FM signal spacing. Public broadcaster ERT now uses fewer FM frequencies. Several private-sector radio operations have changed ownership in recent years and some have closed altogether. Plans for digital radio licenses appear abandoned.

The new radio licensing procedure is expected to be similar to television licensing, including staffing and public affairs requirements along with stable financial backing. “If you want more features, you must have certain obligations,” said Minister Spirtzis, who added that power output monitoring will be implemented.

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