Community Radio Toolkit

March 5, 2010 Montreal – This March 8th, the Women’s International
Network of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters
(AMARC-WIN) will celebrate Women’s International Day with a Webcast
starting on March 8th to March 31st, dedicated to women and gender
issues. The Webcast will begin at 1:00 am GMT on Monday March 8.
Community radio producers from Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa,
Europe, North America and Latin America and the Caribbean will
participate at this broadcast campaign. To listen the multilingual
programs visit our website: http://march8.amarc.org

The theme of this year is “Empowering and celebrating women as agents of
recovery”. This and many other subjects about women will be addressed in
documentaries, interviews, debates, poetry and music produced by
community radio broadcasters from all continents.

The Sixth Annual Women’s International Day campaign broadcast will
feature programming in English, French, Spanish, Nepali, Italian and
many other languages. Individual files are available for download. We
invite all radio stations to re-broadcast the programs by downloading
them from: http://march8.amarc.org.

AMARC-WIN highlights this March 8 the role of women in leading their
countries and communities towards recovery and long-term development
after a natural disaster. The AMARC- WIN also want to mark the
International Women Day by honoring Myriam Merlet, Magali Marcelin and
Anne Marie Coriolan, founders of three of Haiti’s most important
advocacy organizations working on behalf of women and girls who perished
during the Haiti earthquake on January 12th, 2010.

For more information, please contact the AMARC International
Secretariat: secretariat@si.amarc.org

The AMARC Women’s International Network is a large assembly of women
communicators working to ensure women’s right to communicate through and
within the community radio movement. AMARC is an international
non-governmental organization serving the community radio movement, and
linking more than 4,000 community radios in over 110 countries. AMARC
aims to support, defend and promote the interests of community
broadcasters through solidarity and international cooperation. For
further info http://www.amarc.org

Montreal, March 6, 2010. AMARC, the World Association of Community Radio
Broadcasters, applauds the rapid response of Chile’s community radios to
the recent earthquake and calls on the incoming Chilean government to
expedite legal measures to facilitate community broadcasting.

Community radios in Chile have demonstrated a vital role in humanitarian
response to the earthquake and tsunami that struck Chile on 27 February.
An estimated 100 small community radio stations are located in areas of
the country that have been strongly or severely affected by the
earthquake. Many have continued broadcasting with the aim of ensuring
vital information despite themselves experiencing significant impact.

Within four days of the disaster a daily special broadcast ‘Noticiero
Ciudadano’ was launched as a joint initiative of Radio Juan Gómez
Millas, Radio Tierra, La Radioneta and ECO Comunicaciones, together with
the cooperation of Radio Placeres, Radio El Encuentro, Radio la Ventana
and journalists on the ground in the most affected zones. The programmes
provide vital news and information to keep citizens informed of the
public response to the disaster and to assist in obtaining access to aid
and support.

Despite their vital role in humanitarian response to disaster, many
community radio stations in Chile operate with very low power pending
the enactment of the Community Radio Act which is currently under review
by the Constitutional Court. The proposed law has many weaknesses but
would at least set in place minimum standards to guarantee the right to
communicate and to enable the establishment of community broadcasting
services operated by civil society organisations.

AMARC urges the new government of Sebastian Piñera to take immediate
steps to expedite the passage of legislation that will enable, protect
and encourage community broadcasting. At the same time it also call for
the threat of imprisonment or seizure of equipment that is contained in
the Telecommunications Act of 1982 to be replaced with a regulatory
framework for community broadcasting that is consistent with a
democratic system of rights and international standards on freedom of
expression.

-ends-

Further information:

International Focal Point
Ernesto Lamas, Regional Coordinator
AMARC-Latin America and Caribbean
Email: elamas@rcc.com.ar
Tel: +54 1148673806 / +54 1148657554

Montreal, 1 March, 2010. AMARC, the World Association of Community Radio
Broadcasters, expresses its solidarity with the people of Chile and its
condolences to those who have lost family and friends in the earthquake
of 27 February 2010. Steve Buckley, President of AMARC, said: “We are
shocked to hear news of another devastating earthquake in the Americas.
We stand ready to assist in any way possible.”

AMARC’s Latin America and Caribbean regional office (AMARC-ALC) is
leading AMARC’s international response, working with AMARC’s country
representative and members in Chile. Chile has an extensive network of
community radio stations throughout the country many of which are
members of AMARC. Most of the stations remain on air and are providing
news and advice.

Maria Pia Matta of Radio Tierra, Santiago, and Vice President of AMARC
for the Latin America and Caribbean region, reported that the
destruction had been greatest in the South of the country. The worst
situation is in Concepción, in the Juan Fernandez Island, but most of
all in the El Maule Region. Radio Tierra remains on the air in Santiago
and is carrying updates on FM and the Internet.

Natacha Gomez Barahona of La Radioneta and AMARC Country Representative,
reported that community radios in Valparaiso and the surrounding region
had not been badly affected but electricity supply had been unstable,
hampering access to news media and communications.

A first priority for AMARC-ALC and the community radio sector in Chile
is to assess the status of community radios and their staff in the most
severely affected regions - Maule and Biobio. It has been difficult to
obtain accurate information due to the collapse of the local electricity
and communications infrastructure. Some of the worst hit communities are
also in isolated and hard to reach locations. AMARC is prepared to
mobilise practical solidarity and assistance where this is most needed.

-ends-

Further information:

International Focal Point
Ernesto Lamas, Regional Coordinator
AMARC-Latin America and Caribbean
Email: elamas@rcc.com.ar <mailto:elamas@rcc.com.ar>
Tel: +54 1148673806 / +54 1148657554

Country Focal Point
AMARC Country Representative - Chile
Natacha Gomez Barahona, Director
La Radioneta 88.9fm Valparaiso
Email: info@laradioneta.cl <mailto:info@laradioneta.cl>
Tel: +56 93440988
http://www.laradioneta.cl <http://www.laradioneta.cl/>

Other contacts
Maria Pia Matta, AMARC Vice President
Radio Tierra, Santiago de Chile
Email: mattacerna@gmail.com <mailto:mattacerna@gmail.com>
http://www.radiotierra.cl/

Marcelo Solervicens, Secretary General
AMARC International
Email: secgen@si.amarc.org <mailto:secgen@si.amarc.org>
http://www.amarc.org

Cambridge-based community radio station 209radio has announced that it is to close at the end of the month.

In a short statement on air and on its website, the station says that “the time just isn’t right for sustainable community radio in Cambridge.

“We’ve had nearly 7 years of learning, music, laughter and tears, broadcasting on the web, from venues and on your FM dial.

“With what resources we’ve been able to use in an increasingly tough environment, we’re confident that we’ve enriched the Cambridge airwaves with new programming and touched the lives of many with that content.

“On the shop floor, we have helped individuals and groups grow and achieve great things.”

It is expected that the station will announce details of its final programmes in the coming days.

209radio was saved from closure at the eleventh hour last November, when an anonymous donor responded to an on-air pledge drive resulting in the station hitting a £28,000 target to stay on-air.

http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.5636

For more information visit: http://www.amarc.org/haiti

Headlines

• SAKS offices and production studios destroyed, many staff also lost their houses
• REFRAKA (Haiti Community Radio Women’s Network) offices also destroyed
• AMARC assisting SAKS and REFRAKA to re-establish media production
• AMARC/SAKS initial community radio assessment mission completed
• 16 community radios visited outside PaP, programming and other advice provided
• Radyo Zetwal completely destroyed, others minor damage, impact on staff and population
• most stations have diminished output, due to impact on staff, fuel costs, technical damage
• meeting held of AMEKA (Haiti Community Media Association) in PaP
• close liaison on the ground with IMS, Internews and other media support agencies

Detail
SAKS (Sosyete Animasyon ak Kominakasyon Sosyal) - centre for media
production and community radio support in PaP working with around 20 
community radios throughout Haiti, office (34 rue Dalencourt) was
totally destroyed, all 11 staff reported as alive and well however their
houses have all been either damaged (5 cases) or destroyed (6 cases).
Three staff have left Port-au-Prince to seek shelter elsewhere and 7 are
living in temporary shelter. SAKS is negotiating a temporary office
location. AMARC is assisting with funds and equipment acquisition to
re-establish media production and media support function for community
radio.
Video report at: <http://youtu.be/—gHkdYklZQ>http://youtu.be/—gHkdYklZQ

REFRAKA (Haiti Community Radio Women’s Network) - office (36 rue
Dalencourt PP) was totally
destroyed, one member of staff lightly injured after narrow escape,
others safe and well. AMARC/SAKS assisting REFRAKA to regroup and to
re-establish media production and networking function.
Video report at: <http://youtu.be/bR151u9P5Ko>http://youtu.be/bR151u9P5Ko

Radyo Zetwal Peyizan (Fondwa) - building and studios totally destroyed,
broadcasting stopped, requires replacement studio and transmission
system, many disaster victims and refugees in coverage area. AMARC/SAKS
preparing to install new broadcast and studio system in temporary
accommodation.
Video report at: <http://youtu.be/hA_nXAWMXxc>http://youtu.be/hA_nXAWMXxc

Radyo Vwa Peyizan Sid (Cavaillon) - main transmitter at Mont Briyeux
broken down, relay broken between Pliche and Mont Briyeux, operating at
reduced power and reduced programming output. Many refugees in coverage
area, estimated doubling of the population. AMARC/SAKS will assist with
equipment repairs.

Radyo Saka (Grand Goave) - building damaged, operating on reduced power
with reduced hours, programmes focussing on immediate needs - food, aid
and security - many people have left the earthquake zone.

Radyo Soyet FM (Bainet) - minor fissures to building but equipment
undamaged, operating on reduced hours due to fuel costs and poor quality
power storage. Local population has increased with displaced people.

Radyo Pep Lakay (Corail Henry) - some small fissures to building, but
equipment undamaged and continues to broadcast with augmented
programming and focus on humanitarian needs and information. Many local
people who work in PaP died or suffered injuries, large influx to the
area of returnees and displaced people.

Radyo Vwa Klodi Mizo (Cayes) - no direct impact, many displaced people
in the area, local hospital overstretched with casualties, programming
focussed on need for public information, dispel rumours.

Radyo Vwa Peyizan (Papay) - no direct impact, many returnees and
displaced people in the area, are re-broadcasting some humanitarian
information programming from Signal FM in PaP.

Radyo Boukan (Savanet) - no direct impact, some light damage to
buildings in the area, many returners from affected areas and displaced
people, carrying programming focussed on public information and advice.

Radyo Flanbo (Cayes Jacmel) - some damage to antenna cabling, reduced
broadcasting hours due to impact on staff and volunteers, carrying
public information programming, counselling and advice.

A full report will be available shortly on these and 7 other stations at
http://www.amarc.org/haiti

AMARC/SAKS follow-up

Immediate priorities to re-establish functioning of SAKS, including
replacement studios and office accommodation, help to re-establish
REFRAKA’s office, assistance to Radio Zetwal to recommence broadcasting,
and support to ensure the community radio stations are fully engaged in
humanitarian communications and in reconstruction.

Priorities identified for reconstruction phase including equipment and
technical support, training in humanitarian communication and reporting,
improve connectivity, planning for sustainability.

Consultation and feasibility work to be undertaken on needs of displaced
populations.

Follow-up international support in preparation. Initial funding support
being provided by Free Voice and OSI. Follow-up and reconstruction phase
funding expected from existing SAKS donors plus discussions with others
agencies (NGOs and bilateral) in Japan, Canada, Netherlands, Germany,
among others.

Sony Esteus/SAKS is focal point in PaP.

For further information follow:
http://www.amarc.org/haiti

Contacts:

In Port au Prince
Sony Esteus
SAKS / AMARC Haiti
509 3701-5029, 509 3409-5029
saksht@yahoo.fr, sonikoeste@hotmail.com

AMARC International Secretariat (Montreal)
Marcelo Solervicens, Secretary General
secgen@si.amarc.org

AMARC Latin America and Caribbean (Buenos Aires)
Ernesto Lamas, Regional Coordinator
elamas@rcc.com.ar

AMARC-WIN Broadcast Campaign:
Empowering and celebrating women as agents of recovery

Montreal, February 10th, 2010. From March 8th to March 31st, The Women’s
International Network of the World Association of Community Radio
Broadcasters (AMARC-WIN) will organize the 6th annual International
Women’s Day Broadcast Campaign. The theme of this year is “Empowering
and celebrating women as agents of recovery”. The Webcast will begin at
1:00 am GMT on Monday March 8. To listen the multilingual programs visit
our website: http://march8.amarc.org

AMARC WIN believes that women can be active agents of recovery from
disasters. Yes, they are victims and survivors just like anyone else in
communities hit by disasters. However, they can also take on leadership
roles in leading their countries and communities towards recovery and
long-term development. Given the opportunity and necessary support,
women can participate in assessing the damage and loss; organize
medical, health and psychosocial services; coordinate aid distribution
and ensure that the most needy are reached; establish and maintain
communication networks for survivors and their families as well as
disaster management workers; among many other crucial tasks.

In the recent earthquake in Haiti, women’s groups have already
demonstrated that they are capable of performing such life-saving tasks.
They have shown their potential to effectively and efficiently manage
disasters. AMARC WIN would like to build on to this local capacity and
expertise and generate more support for women’s work in Haiti. Through
the international broadcast campaign, we hope to stimulate discussions
about their role as disaster managers and as shapers of their long-term
and sustainable community development.

We also want to mark the International Women Day by honoring Myriam
Merlet, Magali Marcelin and Anne Marie Coriolan, founders of three of
Haiti’s most important advocacy organizations working on behalf of women
and girls who perished during the Haiti earthquake on January 12th, 2010.

The Webcast will begin at 1:00 am GMT on Monday March 8. Community radio
producers from Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America
and Latin America and the Caribbean will participate at this broadcast
campaign which highlights International Women Day. To see a more
detailed schedule and for further information visit our website:
http://march8.amarc.org

The AMARC Women’s International Network is a large assembly of women
communicators working to ensure women’s right to communicate through and
within the community radio movement. AMARC is an international
non-governmental organization serving the community radio movement, and
linking more than 4,000 community radios in over 110 countries. AMARC
aims to support, defend and promote the interests of community
broadcasters through solidarity and international cooperation. For
further info http://www.amarc.org

A new version of the online magazine is out with the following features:

Community Radios in Disaster Management and Prevention

News from the World Social Forum

AMARC Women International Network Perspectives

Amplifying the Voices of the Poor and the Excluded through Capacity Building, Social Campaigns and Network Development of Community Radios

The Struggle for the Recognition of Community Radio

News from Community radio Network.

Resources

The International Secretariat

New updates on the webpage of the AMARC International mission in Haiti
at: http://www.amarc.org/haiti

Please find :
Videos from Jane Regan on
SAKS headquarters interview with Sony Esteus.
Radio Zetwal Peyizan at Leogane, interview with the director.

Notes from Francesco Diasio about the mission.

Audios: ( http://www.amarc.org/index.php?p=haiti_solidarity_podcast )

1. Francesco Diasio  about the objectives of the AMARC Mission in Haiti (French)
2. Sony Esteus on the situation in haiti (French)
3. Jane Regan about her firts impressions and the community radios needs (English)

Please if you have solidarity messages to the community radios in Haiti
send to: secretariat@si.amarc.org

Thank you

The National Lottery Awards 2010 have launched. Any project that has
received Lottery funding in the last 15 years can be nominated for the
Awards.

The Awards have seven categories, each reflecting an area of Lottery
funding: Sport; Heritage; Arts; Environment; Voluntary/Charity, Health
and Education.

Entries will compete in a public vote with shortlisted projects going
through to the finals where the winners in each category will be
announced on a special BBC1 TV show later this year. Winning entrants
will receive a ?2,000 cash prize to spend on their project

For more information on nominating a project visit the National
Lottery website or telephone 020 7324 4366. Nominations are open until
Friday 12 February:

http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/

Today, 21 January, the European Commission and the Spanish Presidency
of the EU are launching the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty
and Social Exclusion with an inaugural conference in Madrid hosted by
the Spanish Prime Minister Jos? Luis Zapatero and European Commission
President Jos? Manuel Barroso.

Here are some of the aims of the campaign:

• Encourage involvement and political commitment from each and every segment of society to participate in the fight against poverty and social exclusion, from the European to the local level, whether public or private;
• Inspire each and every European citizen to participate in the fight against poverty and social exclusion;
• Give voice to the concerns and needs of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion;
• Engage with civil society and non-governmental organisations that fight poverty and social exclusion;
• Help deconstruct stereotypes and stigmas attached to poverty and social exclusion;
• Promote a society that sustains and develops quality of life, social well-being and equal opportunities for all;
• Boost solidarity between generations and ensure sustainable development.

Source: http://www.2010againstpoverty.eu/news/news/news10.html?langid=en

More information: http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=637