Well RNZI is New Zealand’s international shortwave broadcaster,so we broadcast to the Pacific countries, it were set up in 1990, with the particular target audience broadcast into the Pacific, so we are not like other international broadcasters who broadcast worldwide we were set up to specifically broadcast out to New Zealand Neighbors that is the pacific countries,of which New Zealand is part of. so our job is to provide those Pacific countries with information about New Zealand, but also about their own region because many of those countries are, their radio is very small and not very well resourced, so they need things like world news, news of their own region, news about New Zealand and news about their region, so it’s about something happened in Samoa, Cook Island and Vanuatu, all those in the region.
So we unite the pacific region, because it’s difficult for them to know what’s going on because it’s widely ranged, and as I said they are underresourced, so we like to feel that New Zealand is part of that region, broadcasting to the region,
So you are behaving like a big brother or big sister,
Yes, but I think we are even not a big brother or sister, just a brother, we are talking to the region. New Zealand has a lot of people there and has very close ties and lots of families, economic ties and historical ties, pacific trade and new Zealand provide a lot of aid money in the Pacific Region, a lot of expats and pay a lot of money to pacific countries. Some of an aid part of the work in the region.
-How do you project NZ identity to the Pacific region.?
We very much want to project the image, the reality, about New Zealand reality, so we broadcast a lot of relays directly from New Zealand radio, and that means these regions will hear what New Zealanders are hearing, so they don’t get a sanitized clean will view of New Zealand, they hear about emergency, they hear about crime, they hear about racism, all those things happened here, as part of our country, we don’t try to hide that, we broadcast what’s the real story in New Zealand,
---do you think it is a continuity of New Zealand diplomacy?
---definitely, when we were originally set up in 1990, we were funded under the ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, to play that role as part of the aid money in the region. Only in the last two years we moved out of that ministry and under the administration of a different ministry. Ministry of Culture and Heritage because other broadcasters and other media broadcasters in New Zealand are under the ministry of culture and heritage. And so we think it would be better for RNZI to broadcast and move alongside with other broadcasters. We were a little bit on our own under the Foreign Affairs. Certainly we are still doing the work in the Foreign Affairs in the region, but the people in foreign affairs didn’t know anything about broadcasting, now under ministry of culture and heritage, we are part of the broadcasting family and we have the expertise.
---So you think the change is better?
We do, ya,
--International broadcasting has been on and off from time to time, why?
-A lot of I think because of changing governments, the changing governments also change the government support for us and there was a lot of confusion about our role in the pacific region. But with the past five or ten years, the government has recognized that the Pacific is very important to New Zealand, it is the area that so many people in New Zealand are coming from, and it is the area where many new Zealand money has to go, it’s the area with some problems with Papua New Guine, Soloman Islands, New Zealand troops has to go to Soloman Islands to serve and further to East Timor as well. So there is a lot of engagement between New Zealand and Pacific.
--So they recognized the role of international role.
--Yes, but it’s been a long hard way to get to that point. But it is pretty much given now. International broadcasting does give the role in fostering our relationship in our country and in our region.
--The government funds it for a purpose, do you think the government gives enough attention to it?
--I think probably they do, I think this government has been very supportive. This government has supported a little extra funding last year and we bid for a new digital transmitter, whether they will agree or not, still not know by the end of year, I think it pays good attention to us.
--The government spent more money in investigating
It was four years ago.
--Editorial policy
Radio New Zealand is a big umbrella of the body. And the editorial policy is exactly the same for the whole company. National Radio, Concert FM, RNZI and so on.
So that means there is no government control or on our editorial standards, and that’s very important both to the government and Radio New Zealand. It was back in 1990 when we were set up. It has been that way .we want to have a strong separation between the money coming in and the program coming out. That was the way they decide to do it, but international is part of radio new Zealand and governed by radio new Zealand’s editorial policies, and so the government set us as part of aid to the pacific region but not control out output. Since 2001, RNZI was transferred from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the Ministry of Culture and Heritage. Naturally its spending is part of the Ministry of Culture and Heritage Budget.
--How do you do that?
--The policy is exactly the same as anybody coming through the journalism school, basic journalism standards, standards of fairness, balance, and all that sort of things. Their journalism practice is all newzealand journalists are trying to do.
--almost everyone comes from journalism school.
--specific target audience. What’s the cost?
--specific taget audience, and we reach them in two ways, one is through relay radio stations in the pacific, currently there are 14 radio stations in the Pacific, relay us according to their own schedule, so if you listen to Samoa on top of the hour, and then will be world news, the pacific news and sports news. Then they also send us their programming.
And the other is relay our shortwave radio. And reaching directly to us.
No cost for the program there it’s a free service.
They have many choice, they can listen to Australia, listen to the BBC, so we provide to them.
25 correspondents, local journalists, they will send stories here, sometimes they just talk to us and they are good at phone. And we’ll pay our correspondents for the stories they file into us.
We don’t pay an awful lot
How much is budget,?-------
1.8 million. Two long term jobs,
150 thousand.
--media imperialism,
no we are only broadcast on our neigbours.
We have very good relations with our audience. We have training. They can choose.
--democracy.
we do, we don’t do it overtly. We re a strong democratic country. We just provide our example
Everybody claims to tell the truth.
As much as any journalism do, big phone book, talk to us. Audia.
Good and important for our audience, everybody talks about their view.
Pacific still relies on shortwave. In the quite a few years to come. Because it’s so isolated. Internet is very high there.
Internet is still used for rich people.
Shortwave is really a reliable and cheat way
A lot of pacific countries use shortwave on their own.
Australia is our competitor, in the region. But we have quite a good relationship with them as well. They tend to look at more at Asia, and they broadcast up towards Indonesia, And Pacific they only targeted Papua new Guenie and Vanuatu and Micronesian, because they have sort of ties with these countries,
New Zealand has strong ties to Polynesian countries, cook islands, Tonga, niu , so I guess it is a kind of complementary between us, But Australia always look at Asia and Melo Asia. So we complement each other.
--do you see they are a stronger competitor?
They are certainly more resourced. A bigger budget and they have more transmitters, more staff, always better resourced compared with us.
--I think this government is already convinced. Because the people listen to our broadcasting are prime ministers leader of the opposition, business leaders, government ministers, all of those listen to RNZI, we know our feedback from them goes to New Zealand political circles, the leaders there can lobby on our behalf. When they are interviewed by us their voices will go around the pacific.
---And that will go further because we also supply world radio network. So all around the world, listeners will listen to that politician’s voice, that person interviewed, that person’s point of view. So they will understand that this is an important and a powerful medium so when they talk to New Zealand politicians as they often do, they will make that known. To show that we are important.
---what abut now the role?
I certainly don’t think it will disappear, I certainly do think that radio stations should target their audience closely, the days those country try to broadcast to the whole world will be gone. For us, we are broadcasting special audience. Big broadcasting stations tend to close down, and they tend to choose their target audiences, in their own country and that probably will be the future of international broadcasting.
Radio Australia and Canada as well cut their budget.
---War
In the pacific, pacific is quite a volatile region, there is ethnic conflict, going on in Soloman islands, so new Zealand has to send nz troops to help as peace troops, there is a lot of political instabilities, the fijis, the fiji coup, Papua New Guenie is a region some difficult problems, AIDS and health problems, there are a lot of stories in the pacific region, their health, their social, political and others, education stories, all those are very important.
---negative news
There is always criticism on media and that’s sort of inevitable because news always has sort of negative impact, something goes wrong, something becomes a kind of disaster or problem. But I think we would try very hard to find positive story out of Pacific region because there is a lot of it. And new Zealand also has a lot of Pacific communities which generate a lot of good stories. We use that as well.
I feel very strongly that that’s very important news. We would cover that. Nobody only wants to hear problems and something wrong, they certainly want to hear the good positive developments. And those who relay us, we have to prove that we do our job well.
---challenge,
largest challenge for us now is the transmission. We only have one analogue transmission 15 years, and it needs to be replaced.
With a digital transmitter. That’s what we need and hopefully we can get it in the following couple of years and we we’ll be more reliable.
-------future
we will continue to grow and I think we will get that digital transmitter and if that happens, our audience will increase because they will relay more of our program. Relay more of our program and our program will grow.
-----you will always
concern,
less knowledgeable , new Zealand is the same editorial judgement, it could be worse.
The relation is fairly arm links in a sense that RNZI seems to be a well-oiled machine that they operate well, now my understanding is that they have a problem of transmitter.
They just get on and do the job that they have been the contract carrier. And so the monitoring role is really quite routine, we don’t feel as if there is a need to continuely to look over their shoulder and satisfy ourselves with things that should be. It seems to work at a very professional level. I am happy with that because I also have a number of other responsibilities.
There is a kind of background at RNZI, we start to monitor them in 2001, before that Radio New Zealand International was really part of foreign affairs portfolio. It was clearly seen very much as an entity to promote New Zealand’s international relations and foreign policy. At some point, I guess it was determined that particularly at the point that it was
The ministry was assuming responsibility of broadcasting and non-commercial broadcasting in particular, I suppose foreign affairs think is it part of our core business to run a radio. And then it wasn’t part of our business. It will be better for the entity to be run under the auspices of a ministry that was particularly concerned with broadcasting. The interesting thing is that the non-commercial broadcasting that we talk about and as a ministry role of culture and heritage, and I think reinforcing that role of citizenship of identity, it’s interesting that we should be also responsible for monitoring a service that’s not pitched the local population, its international focus, its broadcasting to our neighbors in the Pacific and Asia regions, it is quiet different from other entities that we have some responsibilities for. Each year, we have to go budget process, particularly if we are looking at the increase of resourcing for the entities and for Radio New Zealand International in particular. The question of what its role is and what it is achieving I suppose come into sharp focus because we have to be able to convince initially the minister of broadcasting, he has to feel convinced that he wants to support funding increases for them. And then it has to convince his cabinet colleagues, particularly ministry of finance. It is interesting set of circumstances that each year, we are saying, what is RZNI here for. Is it meeting those objectives, is it something we should continue to support? And so that focus comes on then. Perhaps unlike other agencies responsibilities we just assume that’s part of our cultural fabric of our country and if worthy for continuing to support it and the questing is just how much.
In RNZI’s case, it’s often more fundamental should this continue to operate. So much so in 2002 there is an output undertaken, at that stage, there was consideration about the role. Whether it was effective in its role, whether the services it was providing was that listeners want to obtain, and I think what emerge from that is that it has a fairly high profile in the pacific, and there is a good deal of rivary between RNZI and Australian broadcasting service, to its hearts and minds in the pacific, and definitely there is a lot of positive comment come out again on the pacific broadcasting those relayed RZNI signal, and from other sources indicating that they are very much appreciate the role that RANI was undertaking, obviously advocating for its continuation. And I think our ministers certainly accepted that was the case, and for the moment anyway, are happy to continue supporting it. Again it comes down to the question of to what extend, how much money. I’m sure at the moment there is a need for a new transmitter. And it is a substantial capital injection into it. Which for rnzi is a budget consideration this time round. Whether we succeeds or our minister succeeds, in getting the money for the new transmitter remains to be seen. We are just embarking on that at the moment, but it clearly mean there is a need for our minister of broadcasting to again convince the minister of finance. This is an asset for the country worth preserving and we will probably want to obtain support from other ministries particularly ministry of foreign affairs and trade. And the ministry for the Pacific Island Affairs. So the test I guess will be in the extend to whether our minister will succeed in this upcoming budget. And we have no doubt that he may succeed.
What kind of role do you expect RZNI to play?
I guess it is to convey New Zealand’s interest to our Pacific audience. And that as a consequences, confirms I suppose notion of foreign policy, in the sense of sharing New Zealand’s place in the Pacific, as a good neighbor. As a pacific nation with some influence and responsibilities towards its pacific neighbors, to ensure that New Zealand’s profile remains high unless the island’s states we hope to influence I guess in a positive way, there is also a of course serious purpose around things like weather warning which also came out at the output review as being a very important service that RZNI provides. As I understand some Typhone, season when storms are likely to hit the Pacific nations and it’s important to have an early warning facility. It’s often the only communication medium available particularly for local broadcasting facilities, damaged or affected by those storm. So there is also an expectation that RNZI will continue to carry out that role, and I think it has relationship with the meterological services to ensure that those broadcast are maintained to the pacific in appropriate times. So the output with the objective the government will see it continue to perform those two primarily as an organ in New Zealand foreign policy in a way that ensures New Zealand interests. Keep it alive in the pacific is a way of ensuring the connections between New Zealand based pacific islanders which very very many and their families and friends who still in islands, so New Zealand heritage, New Zealand culture made available to island states, in a similar way to which what I expect is made available to domestic population, but having said that there is that whole notion that this ministry and this ministry broadcasting surround public broadcasting around non commercial broadcasting in particular are really domestic focuses and as a consequence of that I suppose RNZI is considering it a less priority on that.
So it will be important to reinforce that role for the future. And at the current broadcasting, it’s very supportive of RNZI as it is very supportive in Radio New Zealand in general.
And obviously that will continue. We will have a better idea of emphasis the government place on in the coming budget.
But it is interesting that if the primary function is to be a conduit for New Zealand in the Pacific, its interesting that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade did not see it as a priority for them as the point which the responsibility for operation was transferred to this ministry. There is a contradiction somewhere.
New Zealand sees itself as to play a role as it can contribute in the international arena. But it clearly seizes priorities in the Pacific and RZNI is an important element of conveying that policy.
Our goal at the moment is RNZI’s goal which is negotiated with the Minister, if those are the functions, that the minister carry out the job to satisfy the minister. We act as the minister’s agent.RZNI continues to fultil its functions, in terms of the memorandum of understanding, then we are happy and we wish that.
But there is a concern as the transmitter broke down last year. Last September. And they were off air for quite a long period. (RNZI all resumed their program in November)
At the time they buy the ABC program. I guess it’s a hard thing to do. There is a concern that for RNZI to be off air for that long time. Meanwhile, the internet is available, but it is very low take in the pacific. I wouldn’t imagine that the internet use will be as wide in the pacific as other developed countries.
We want them to deliver to that goal. And if they don’t there will be issues for us and the government about the money they are paying for it. We have contracts.
But you see the failure was beyond the extend RNZI to control.
As far as I know there wasn’t a lot of complaints, I think RNZI themselves maybe have their way, no complaints to the government. It either reflect that the audience understood why the service has been stop and accept the fact that it is off air. Or it reflects a lack of interest.
I don’t know how you determine the results.
But maybe the minister can say that last year when it was off air, no complaints.
The government is not influencing editorial policy.
There is a lot of sharing of resources. RNZ covers 24 hours
RNZI they are not separate entities, they are all part of Radio New Zealand. The chief executive is responsible for both Radio New Zealand and RNZI and the policy of the company.
So the editorial will be similar.
Do you think it is propaganda?
Rick: I don’t know I haven’t heard it because it is offshore. Nothing I have heard, I would suggest it was perceived in those terms, I mean if you are seeking to see your country in a good light, a good neighbor, you can be accused of propaganda. But I would be surprised if it was perceived in those terms. I think as far as I aware, it provides a service people obviously want. If it is perceived merely as propaganda by the radio stations that relay RZNI’s signal, I suspect they will turn it off. But now there isn’t such evidence that is happening.
The answer is no it’s not perceived as propaganda. And it normally accepts the sense of term.
Do you think it is effective?
Rick: It has been. I heard foreign minister Geoff, Prime Minister associate with Pacific Forum or visit pacific nations, often receive feedback about RNZI’s performance. And that’s very encouraging. So I think it is effective in protecting our country’s national identity. I mean to the extend, it has a diplomatic role, I couldn’t say. It’s around the influence of certainly it’s part of diplomacy that includes projecting cultural and identity to other nations. They certainly perform that function well.
It also reflects the islands population in New Zealand and New Zealand is a place where their relatives are working and staying and that helps to have a good image of New Zealand to the people in the Pacific island nations. They are effective.
I guess for example foreign affairs there is no straints in policy. Radio New Zealand tend to be
I would be surprised
Within this ministry, it’s not an issue, it’s all about the main priority is more on domestic.
Charter Radio New Zealand On Air
A lot of domestic broadcasting. Less priority. But that’s not to say that we won’t do our best in support.
The minister is satisfied with RNZI’s performance. We discuss with the minister. We provide the documentation. Budget balance talk.
We know that RNZI needs a transmitter.
We evaluate it. To Secure the money.
Funding is not that much, usually during economic downturn. The government ministry needs to cut their budgets.
As the time with this ministry it is a bit better. At the year of 2002, it increased its baseline funding and last year, there is additional baseline. By the time to the Ministry of Culture and Heritage it comes well. The entity services are providing.
Broadcasting
It’s not a high cost entity compared with New Zealand On Air.
(It is 15 million for NZ ONAIR.
Increase 14 million for national radio and RNZI 600 thousand dollars.)
Challenges are for new transmitter.
Alternatives for the
Television is pervasive. So many international broadcasters. I can certainly see that, radio is a sort of far flow island.
References
A voice in the South Pacific. (1987, December 31) Editorial. The New Zealand Herald
BBC monitoring.(1997, June) Solomon Islands to lose only FM radio station. Available via CBA web page. Accessed 2/17/98 [http://www.oneworld.org/cba/news/jun97sis.htm]
Black, Joanne.(1998.January 7). PAC: Treasury Wants RNZ Axed, Labor says. AAP News feed. Available: via Lexis-Nexis Accessed 2/11/98
Clark, B.D.(1973, October).Submissions to the Select Committee on Broadcasting on behalf of the New Zealand Radio DX League.
Clark.B.D(1988, March). Britannia to share(NZ Air )Waves? New Zealand DX Times, 40,7.
Clark, L.(1998, March 11). Personal correspondence. History of Radio New Zealand International.
Commonwealth Broadcasting Association Online.(1997, December 22) opposition highlight media coverage issue. Available: via CBA web page. Accessed 1/13/98.[http://www.oneworld.org/cba/newssam22dec.htm]
Commonwealth Broadcasting Association Online.(1998, January 7)
Radio New Zealand Facing Closure Threat. Available: via CBA webpage. Accessed 1/13/98.[http://www.oneworld.org/cba/news/flash.htm]
Commonwealth Broadcasting Association press release.(1998. January 30) CBA expresses concern about RNZI closure. Accessed via Lexis-Nexis, 2/5/98
Cook Islands,
RADIO NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL
(RNZI)
AUDIENCE
December 2003
Linden Clark
Manager
Radio New Zealand International
RNZI’s Audience
Contents Page
The Pacific Audience via Re-Broadcasting Stations 3
Pacific Media Training 4
Individual Short-Wave Listeners 5
Listeners During Cyclones 6
Internet Listeners and Users 7
National Radio Listeners 7
Niu FM Listeners 8
New Zealand Defence Force Listeners 8
World Radio Network Listeners Across the World 9
RNZI Audience Figures – Summary 10
Appendices 11
Appendix One Questionnaires 11
Appendix Two Training 20
Appendix Three Meteorological Service Feedback. 22
Appendix Four RNZI Internet Results 27
Appendix Five World Radio Network (WRN) 28
Former Cook Islands Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Henry - “It is my own respectful view that the reputation of New Zealand, which is already high in the Pacific, is greatly enhanced by RNZI’s daily presence over our radios and that the cost of the service is small relative to the importance for, and impact on, the island states of the Pacific.”
The Pacific Audience Via Re-Broadcasting Stations
The following Pacific radio stations re-broadcast RNZI news and programmes each day as part of their own schedule. They broadcast across their countries on a mix of AM and FM and short-wave. Short-wave is used to reach audiences spread across large areas – e.g. Kiribati, Solomon Islands.
Pacific radio stations have large audiences because radio remains a very important means of communication in the region. Several countries do not have other forms of media such as television and newspapers.
In some countries there is now a government, or public broadcasting station, and a commercial radio station. RNZI is used by both types of broadcaster. In Samoa and the Cook Islands RNZI bulletins are spread across both the nations’ broadcasters so that all radio listeners in those countries hear RNZI, no matter which station they listen to.
Cook Islands Broadcasting Corporation COOK ISLANDS
KC Radio FM COOK ISLANDS
Samoa Broadcasting SAMOA
Magic 98 FM SAMOA
KSBS - FM AMERICAN SAMOA
Radio Sunshine NIUE
Radio Tonga TONGA
Vava’u Broadcasting TONGA
3 Tokelau stations TOKELAU
Radio Kiribati KIRIBATI
Solomon Islands Broadcasting SOLOMON ISLANDS
VL2NI NORFOLK ISLAND
Tudei FM VANUATU
ZFM Classic FIJI
All these stations would like to relay more material than they currently do (See Appendix One - Questionnaires). The reason they restrict the amount is due to reception of our current analogue short-wave signal. With a new digital transmitter, providing an FM quality signal, these stations would increase their use of RNZI news and programmes.
Major radio broadcasters in Fiji would like to relay our material but do not consider our current reception of sufficient technical standard. If Fiji’s two main stations were to relay RNZI audience figures could increase by an approximate 500,000 listeners. New relay possibilities would also arise in other countries - Papua New Guinea’s national radio network has an estimated audience of 3 million people.
Audience: The above re-broadcasting stations above give their current estimated audience as approximately 741,000 listeners, out of a total approximate population in those countries of 1,800,000. These audience figures were provided either as part of the Questionnaire survey (See Appendix One) or from their own publicity information.
Eseta Fusitu’a of the Tongan Government Information Unit - “In countries which are small, and where professional journalism is often difficult and is still developing, the daily service of a regional and highly professional media service, is absolutely necessary. Both the public and the local media services need it.
… we are immensely grateful to Radio New Zealand International for having fulfilled this vital role for us.”
Pacific Media Training
RNZI extends its network of listeners, and its influence within the region, through media training.
RNZI training is done through work with partner radio stations and other Pacific training organizations. In this way it has promoted good governance, media freedom and responsibilities, gender equity and public service broadcasting.
Eseta Fusitu’a - “ We are particularly grateful for two achievements, for which Radio New Zealand International is singularly well known in Tonga. Firstly, it has never failed to accord to all Tongan parties to their broadcasts, the opportunity to make their comments. Secondly, it always allows all parties to speak for themselves rather than interpreting their comments to fit in with some preconceived perspectives. Accordingly, even when their broadcasts are not flattering to Tonga, which is often the case, we still respect them for their professional fairness”.
Sir Geoffrey Henry - “ I have not been immune to criticism, sometimes quite strong, conveyed through that service’s news bulletins. Nonetheless, like very many other Cook islanders, I listen to it as a matter of daily routine”
Fifteen media staff from radio stations in Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, India and China have come to New Zealand to train within RNZI. Most spent two or three months attached to RNZI. They have been financed through NZAID, NZODA, UNESCO, CITEC, NZ France Friendship Fund, International Missions School of Radio, Massey University, Manukau Polytech, Christchurch Polytechnic, and the British High Commission.
In addition, RNZI staff have run regular training courses and projects within the region. Training has taken place in Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Kiribati, Vanuatu and New Caledonia in the areas of journalism, election coverage, production, presentation and technical training.
In 2000, thirteen Pacific women from nine countries participated in a three month RNZI project designed to support the training and development of Pacific women broadcasters. This project won the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association Training Award for that year. Again in 2002, nineteen women from around the region gathered in Vanuatu for a two week course run by RNZI.
Material generated from these projects was broadcast around the region by all participating countries. Regional organisations were represented at the workshops which gave them the opportunity to reach media staff from across the entire Pacific. Issues within the areas of health, education, good governance, gender equity and the environment were all explored and developed. (See Appendix 2 – Training)
As part of RNZI’s normal work to maintain its Pacific audience, its Technical Manager visits one or two Pacific partner radio stations each year to check on reception, and to replace aerials and receivers if necessary. As part of these visits he also works to upskill technical staff and keep them up to date with new technologies and opportunities.
Individual Short-Wave listeners
Individuals across the Pacific listen directly to RNZI via short-wave radio. They listen directly for a variety of reasons. Some listen to their national broadcaster as well, but want want to hear more of RNZI than is re-broadcast. Others listen because their national broadcaster doesn’t re-broadcast RNZI. There are Pacific people who live in remote areas (such as the Northern Cook Islands) where their own local radio service does not reach and RNZI is their only choice. Many other listeners turn to RNZI when domestic radio stations are off air due to cyclones, political unrest or censorship. Because so many Pacific radio stations use short-wave to reach across their own country, Pacific listeners are familiar with it.
Short-wave individual listeners are a mix of Pacific people and New Zealanders (permanent residents in the Pacific and those there temporarily – i.e. working attachments, VSA, aid projects, military etc).
In addition RNZI reaches transient listeners like yachties and others on boats (including NZDF personnel). RNZI is particularly important to these listeners during cyclone season.
The numbers of individual short-wave listeners increase during times of civil unrest and/or when their local broadcaster is subject to censorship or closed down. Examples of this in recent years are the Fiji coups and the riots in Vanuatu. From time to time RNZI news bulletins being re-broadcast over a local station have been censored because stories were seen as reflecting badly on a local government. At such times listeners have the option of listening directly to RNZI. Short-wave can not be controlled by a government in the same way that a local station, or a satellite feed, can.
Audience: The total Pacific population is estimated at 8 million people. In order to work out how many people listen directly to short-wave radio, Radio Australia uses a formula of 30% of the total Pacific population. This figure climbs during cyclones and other periods of unrest. If RNZI adopts this 30% formula it can be estimated that RNZI has a total individual short-wave listenership within the Pacific of 2.6 million people.
VSA volunteer, Vanuatu – “In the case of the riots in Port Vila, Radio Vanuatu had to stop transmission because of the danger to staff. During this time the people of Vanuatu, including decision makers, were totally reliant on the reports from Radio NZ which kept us going at this time”
Listeners During Cyclones
RNZI maintains a cyclone warning service, funded by NZAID, from November to May each year. Once a Pacific cyclone has been named, RNZI starts broadcasting hourly weather bulletins. These come directly from the region’s Meteorological Offices and from the New Zealand MetService. There is no doubt that this service has saved lives. RNZI feedback from listeners since 1990 confirms this.
Pacific relaying stations often go off air during a cyclone when their transmission aerials are blown down or when they close down to try and avoid that happening. To provide an alternative for their listeners, stations advertise RNZI’s short-wave frequencies. If they go off air, their listeners can tune directly to RNZI. RNZI frequencies are also advertised elsewhere, including in the disaster preparedness section of several nations’ phone books.
RNZI has many other individual listeners for whom the cyclone warning service is vital - especially those in outer islands which do not receive local stations – e.g. the Northern Cook Islands, parts of Kiribati and Fiji. Additionally, yachties and other boats in the region rely on RNZI during bad weather.
See Appendix Three – Meteorological Service Feedback.
Corey Keil, Managing Director 98FM Samoa – “Our station has always carried your news bulletins – both Pacific and international and feedback from our listeners is very positive as your news is most informative, true and accurate. It was through your service that we first learnt about cyclone Ofa in 1990, Val in 1991 and Ron that passed us last weekend. For all these hurricanes, for their development and movement, our station was tuned to your service for update reports”.
Mike Ariki, Director of Meteorology, Solomon Islands – “I wish to convey our sincere appreciation to RNZI for your understanding and caring consideration in broadcasting our warnings for the people that were threatened and affected by the recent Tropical Cyclone Katrina. The only means of delivering the warnings to those islands was through RNZI”.
Sir Geoffrey Henry – “…Cyclone Martin hit the island of Manihiki. That cyclone took 9 lives with 10 still missing who must now be presumed dead. The cyclone’s path was being tracked but our local AM radio station cannot be picked up in the Northern Group. A number of Manihikians have stated that they were relying on Radio New Zealand International for up to date information. In those critical hours that service was invaluable”.
Internet Listeners and Users
RNZI maintains a strong Internet presence because this provides a complementary way of listening to RNZI, and of accessing RNZI news and information. RNZI live streams its breakfast session and other RNZI-originated broadcasts. It also has Pacific and New Zealand news and programmes available as audio files for downloading.
A radio station in American Samoa, and ZFM Classic - a private radio station in Fiji, both use RNZI’s website as a way of re-broadcasting news bulletins. American Samoa does this because its radio station is housed on the side of a mountain and the short-wave signal is not good enough for relay. Fiji does this to get a bulletin which is specifically tailored to their needs.
Fiji and American Samoa are able to do this because their countries have relatively sophisticated internet services and providers. Moreover, as commercial stations within richer Pacific countries, they can afford the costs of it. Other Pacific radio stations are not in this position. Internet costs in most of the region remain very high and reliability and speed of services, coupled with a lack of access to Internet in many stations, means that audio access through the Internet for radio stations will remain minimal. UNESCO survey figures show that less then 25% of the population of most Pacific Islands have access to the Internet.
Users in the Pacific and across the world do access RNZI Pacific stories and information from the text service on the website. This material makes its way into newspapers and on to radio stations which, for the most part, credit RNZI as their source.
Audience: RNZI web statistics show a total of 284,590 individual visits to the website in the calendar year January 2003 – mid December 2003. Average monthly visit figures are around 16,000, with daily figures of 550. (Note that the monthly visit figure grew to 46,920 during the period that RNZI’s transmitter was off air in September/October 2003).
See Appendix Four – RNZI Internet Results
Bob Makin, formerly of the Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association – “RNZI is the public face of New Zealand for many thousands of island people, and they like it. With its knowledge of the languages and communities of the Pacific, RNZI has been able to forge a special relationship with island listeners, the envy of its bigger sister located across the Tasman.”
National Radio Listeners
RNZI reaches the domestic New Zealand audience through National Radio, which uses RNZI as a specialist Pacific unit. RNZI earns revenue from National Radio by supplying it with daily Pacific news bulletins in Morning Report and a weekly hour-long programme called Tagata o te Moana. In addition WorldWatch now uses an average of at least one RNZI Pacific feature each evening. National Radio has access to all RNZI material.
Six fulltime RNZI staff generate Pacific news and current affairs stories and interviews each day and twenty-five Pacific correspondents file material daily. By being able to draw upon these RNZI resources, National Radio gains a service which it simply would not be able to generate itself. Without it, the National Radio audience would be the poorer.
Audience: National Radio audience research shows a weekly cumulative “15 years-and- older” audience of 494,700. (Source: 2003 Research International All NZ Radio Survey).
Niu FM Listeners
RNZI also contributes to Niu FM, the national Pacific radio network.
In 2003 RNZI signed an agreement with the National Pacific Radio Trust to share resources, news and programmes with their new Pacific domestic network Niu FM. Under this agreement, RNZI material will be heard across New Zealand. One Niu FM staff position is now based in the RNZI Wellington office. RNZI Pacific news is used as a basis for Niu FM’s daily bulletins.
Audience: Audience Research International’s November 2003 survey of the Auckland commercial radio audience gives a cumulative ten years and over audience figure of 51,000.
New Zealand Defence Force Listeners
In 2002 RNZI was commissioned by the New Zealand Defence Forces (NZDF) to produce and broadcast weekly programmes to New Zealand troops serving overseas. The programmes feature news from New Zealand, NZDF news, sports and entertainment. The programmes are broadcast on short-wave and produced as audio files on the RNZI website. In this way, they are used by military personnel not only based in the Asia/Pacific region, but around the world.
NZDF personnel are currently serving in 18 missions around the world.
New Zealander in Niue –“No other broadcaster into this region offers the services that RNZI does – local news from New Zealand, regional news from other countries in the Pacific and sport. RNZI engenders a real feeling of community amongst the islands and in particular, with New Zealand”.
World Radio Network Listeners Across the World
The World Radio Network (WRN) is a major international broadcaster based in the United Kingdom, but broadcasting around the world. It operates six radio networks that are available through national re-broadcasters, cable networks, satellite and the internet.
Radio stations from all over the world pay to contribute programmes to WRN who then distribute them. Broadcasters throughout the US, Europe, Africa and Asia relay WRN networks.
RNZI has been supplying material to WRN since 1997 and now supplies one daily and one weekly programme. RNZI material is very popular and an important part of WRN’s schedules. The service RNZI currently receives from WRN is worth NZ$ 120k per annum – but RNZI has negotiated a fee of just NZ$ 5k. This recognises the importance that WRN places on having specialist Pacific programming as part of its mix. RNZI’s WRN programmes are heard across Europe, the United Kingdom, Asia, Africa/Middle East, North and South America. In the UK alone, WRN is available on Sky Digital in 7 million homes and RNZI’s daily programme plays at 5pm each night (see photo of TV below).
WRN provides RNZI with a worldwide audience, highlighting New Zealand’s role in the Pacific and showcasing New Zealand’s expertise and knowledge of the region.
See Appendix Five – World Radio Network (WRN)
Elizabeth Smith, Secretary General, Commonwealth Broadcasting Association – “This organisation is highly regarded internationally and widely respected for its accuracy and objectivity. Its impact in the Pacific is impressive”.
RNZI AUDIENCE FIGURES - SUMMARY
Approximate Listeners
Local Pacific Populations Through Relaying Stations 741,000
Individual Short-Wave listeners 2,600,000
Internet Listeners and Users (individual visits per week) 4,000
National Radio Listeners 494,700
Niu FM Listeners 51,000
New Zealand Defence Force Listeners Unknown (across 18 missions
worldwide)
World Radio Network Listeners relaying broadcasters and
individual listeners across
Europe,the United Kingdom, North
and South America, Asia and
Africa/Middle East.
Former Solomon Islands Prime Minister the Hon Bartholomew Ulufa’alu - “RNZI plays a vital role in linking the many islands of the Pacific with its news service. Scattered over the vast ocean, there is a tendency to be so self-centred. But with the RNZI news service, many Pacific Islanders feel they re part of one big family of nations. The distance between each country has been reduced because listeners to RNZI can hear what is happening in a neighbouring country in a matter of hours after it has happened”.
APPENDICES
Appendix One
Questionnaires – RNZI’s Pacific Relaying Stations.
December 2003
Faiesea Lei Sam-Matafeo
Chief Executive Officer
Samoa Broadcasting Corporation (TV and Radio)
How useful do you find RNZI as part of your schedule?
RNZI news is broadcast at peak hours of our radio breakfast show – 7.00 am and 8am. RNZI provides a regional perspective to radio news coverage. A role played by ABC for television service here in Samoa.
How is RNZI regarded by you and your staff ?
Highly. The hosts of our morning talk show provide a translation of the RNZI news immediately after RNZI feed and they then talk about an issue of interest.
How is RNZI regarded by your listeners ?
Highly appreciated especially the sports news.
Do you think New Zealand gains any benefit from RNZI's presence in the region ?
The small Pacific islands have always regarded NZ as the closest partner and ally. With ABC providing free to air television service, Australia now seems to be the news hub for the region. Because it is a free service, Samoa’s television is using ABC service most of the time as opposed to TVNZ’s paid news service.
The fulfillment of the sisterly role that the small islands look to NZ for, cannot be further enhanced without the media. Given the geographical layout of our countries, which are made up of small scattered islands, radio is much more effective.
Apart from its radio broadcasts, is RNZI useful in other ways - i.e. through the RNZI web page, media training, technical assistance etc ?
Yes, in the technical area. I wish there were opportunities for training.
Do you have any estimates of how many listeners you have ?
SBC Radio covers the whole of Samoa. It also reaches American Samoa and the Tokelau Islands.
Does radio still play an important role in communication within your country?
Very much so especially when television goes on air late in the afternoon until midnight. Radio is still widely used for community programmes and dissemination of information by the Government’s ministries to rural areas. It is also one the main mean of communication with the Tokelau islands. Without a radio station of their own, the people of Tokelau listen to SBC Radio One and they have become regular callers to our programmes.
Is RNZI useful to your country during cyclone season - if so, how ?
Yes. By providing us information on situation in nearby islands.
Would you like RNZI to be able to provide a better digital (FM quality) signal for you to relay ?
Yes. There have been time when we seriously considered cutting off RNZI from our schedule due to poor quality, despite the fact that the information we receive is very useful.
Would you consider relaying more RNZI material if the signal was improved in this way ?
Yes. Maybe improve on its role of providing weather reports to help islanders be more prepared for natural disasters especially cyclones. Meteorological service in the islands are limited, of course due to the capability (or lack of) of monitoring equipment they have. There is a great and urgent need for more substantive weather information/reports due to the vulnerability of the islands. This is perhaps an area where dependency of the island radio stations on RNZI could be created.
Any additional comments:
We look forward to better quality service from RNZI.
Corey Keil
Owner / Manager
Radio Polynesia
Samoa
How useful do you find RNZI as part of your schedule ?
Very useful
How is RNZI regarded by you and your staff ?
Very precise & thorough
How is RNZI regarded by your listeners ?
Accurate & informative
Do you think New Zealand gains any benefit from RNZI's presence in the
region ?
Absolutely
Apart from its radio broadcasts, is RNZI useful in other ways - i.e. through
the RNZI web page, media training, technical assistance etc ?
Yes, Web page & technical assistance to receive coverage...help of Adrian
Sainsbury
Do you have any estimates of how many listeners you have ?
90 percent of 180,000 people
Does radio still play an important role in communication within your
country?
Yes
Is RNZI useful to your country during cyclone season - if so, how ?
Yes, because of its cyclone coverage
Would you like RNZI to be able to provide a better digital (FM quality)
signal for you to relay ?
Absolutely ...we carry RNZI on all our 4 stations. Sometimes the signal is
staticy which forces us to broadcast Radio Australia. With the new technology to
be introduced reception would be much better.
Would you consider relaying more RNZI material if the signal was improved in
this way ?
Yes
Any additional comments:
Thankyou to Linden & her staff for the professional coverage they provide,
Samoa & its people & NZ as a country also benefits.
Jeane Matenga
General Manager
Radio Cook Islands
How useful do you find RNZI as part of your schedule ?
RNZI provides interesting news about the region that is not available from any other existing source. Sometimes RNZI scoops the local media on news event in the Cook Islands. Otherwise, our listeners look forward to RNZI newscasts and are upset when we have a poor quality broadcast or no broadcast at all as was the case when your transmitter was down. The sports are welcomed by our Outer Islands but on Rarotonga our television station caters to the sports fans.
How is RNZI regarded by you and your staff ?
We don’t think about RNZI because it has long been part of our programming and it is generally accepted by the staff that at certain times in the day we will be able to receive it. Like the listeners they enjoy listening to the regional news.
How is RNZI regarded by your listeners ?
We do not have another news source in the morning. Our local news is broadcast from midday to 9pm. So our listeners welcome the news. And they get angry and ring us up if the quality is poor or if there is no news.
Do you think New Zealand gains any benefit from RNZI's presence in the region ?
Well there are a lot of New Zealanders living in the Cook Islands. Your presence helps them stay in touch with home. Lots of Cook Islanders live in New Zealand. Your presence helps us find out things if any Cook Islanders are doing.
Apart from its radio broadcasts, is RNZI useful in other ways - i.e. through the RNZI web page, media training, technical assistance etc ?
Some workshops that have been held in the region included RNZI staff like Linden Clark, but there weren’t that many, probably 2-3 in the last 5 years. Otherwise, RNZI doesn’t do much else with us.
Do you have any estimates of how many listeners you have ?
14,000
Does radio still play an important role in communication within your country?
Definitely. The majority of notices for the country, villages or islands for deaths, meetings, cleanups etc is broadcast via radio due to its immediacy. The only way the Outer Islands gets news from the main island is via radio.
Is RNZI useful to your country during cyclone season - if so, how ?
No. we get our weather broadcasts from our local met office.
Would you like RNZI to be able to provide a better digital (FM quality) signal for you to relay ?
Oh definitely. There are many occasions when our signal is not too good and our listeners get irritated. So we would welcome it. Also the rugby matches late in the evening are very noisy.
Would you consider relaying more RNZI material if the signal was improved in this way ?
Definitely.
Heinz Koester
Managing Director
Vava'u Broadcasting Company Ltd.
How useful do you find RNZI as part of your schedule ?
Very useful, the 7am news is our morning program starter and we have the
news in Tongan as well as 11am world and pacific news with sports again
How is RNZI regarded by you and your staff ?
Highly regarded as it covers world and island news
How is RNZI regarded by your listeners ?
Highly regarded as it covers world and pacific news
Do you think New Zealand gains any benefit from RNZI's presence in the
region ?
Yes, it is informative for islanders who have relatives in NZ, as well as
informing on the relationship of NZ with the Island Nations, therefore
creating a positive picture of NZ and its government.
Apart from its radio broadcasts, is RNZI useful in other ways - i.e. through
the RNZI web page, media training, technical assistance etc ?
Yes, Adrian was helpful to us, technical assistance was not required up to
present, but if we need, we will ask.
Do you have any estimates of how many listeners you have ?
About 10 000 (Vava'u group of islands)
Does radio still play an important role in communication within your
country?
It certainly does, it is the only way of information in our part of the
Kingdom of Tonga
Is RNZI useful to your country during cyclone season - if so, how ?
Very useful with your updated cyclone warning,
Would you like RNZI to be able to provide a better digital (FM quality)
signal for you to relay ?
Very much
Would you consider relaying more RNZI material if the signal was improved in
this way ?
The programs we rebroadcast are news, sports and cyclone warnings, we are a
music and advertising station.
Any additional comments:
We are very happy and satisfied RNZI rebroadcasters, your program format is
perfect for us, as the times and the contents fit our needs.
Jeremy Winter
Director
ZFM Classic - Suva, Nadi, Lautoka, Fiji.
How useful do you find RNZI as part of your schedule ?
The news is fantastic, it's the only news that we do at all. What a fabulous mix of top international stuff and relevant regional and domestic (Fiji) items.
How is RNZI regarded by you and your staff ?
Staff appreciate it for their own interest, and for myself it's an important part of my day.
How is RNZI regarded by your listeners ?
Great feedback from listeners, and from time to time we get requests to provide info about articles.
Do you think New Zealand gains any benefit from RNZI's presence in the
region ?
I think New Zealand gets a lot of points in peoples minds in the region for providing such a high quality, different approach of service.
Apart from its radio broadcasts, is RNZI useful in other ways - i.e. through
the RNZI web page, media training, technical assistance etc ?
I'm sure RNZI is useful in other ways, I'm only aware of the webpage and radio broadcast services.
Do you have any estimates of how many listeners you have ?
8 ‑ 12,000.
Does radio still play an important role in communication within your
country?
Very much so.
Is RNZI useful to your country during cyclone season - if so, how ?
As a new RNZI partner, and also a relative newcomer to Fiji I can't comment on the cyclone issue.
Would you like RNZI to be able to provide a better digital (FM quality)
signal for you to relay ?
Yes
Would you consider relaying more RNZI material if the signal was improved in
this way ?
Yes
Any additional comments:
I am interested also in getting RNZI into Honiara, we'll be able to talk about this in early 2004.
Vijay Narayan
News Director
FM96/Legend/VitiFM/Navtarang
fijivilage.com
Fiji
How useful do you find RNZI as part of your schedule ?
We usually run a lot of news from NZ and the Pacific region and RNZI
is our main source. Recently, we have had to call reporters at RNZ to
find out information on some stories because the reception is quite bad
and we sometimes do not have the signals. If the reception is good, we
could even use the audio as we used to do before.
How is RNZI regarded by you and your staff ?
Very good. We normally use Dmitri Edwards for the NZ sport and use a
lot of NZ stories on your website
How is RNZI regarded by your listeners ?
Our listeners love information on NZ because there are a lot of Fiji
citizens living in NZ. However we need good reception to use RNZ on air.
Do you think New Zealand gains any benefit from RNZI's presence in the region ?
Yes, you are promoting your country and letting people know what's
happening in NZ and the region.
Apart from its radio broadcasts, is RNZI useful in other ways ‑ i.e.
through the RNZI web page, media training, technical assistance etc ?
We haven't had any training with RNZI but it would be great if some of
our people could be involved in short term training at RNZ on how the
operations are being run.
I also would like to highlight that your website is very helpful.
Do you have any estimates of how many listeners you have ?
We have majority listenership in Fiji. We have two English stations, 1
Hindustani and 1 Fijian station. We also have a website fijivillage.com
Latest surveys show we have about 70 percent of the population listening
to one of stations.
Does radio still play an important role in communication within your country?
Yes it is still the main medium in the country
Is RNZI useful to your country during cyclone season ‑ if so, how ?
We normally monitor what is being broadcast and follow up with our
Weather Office if we are under any threat of a cyclone
Would you like RNZI to be able to provide a better digital (FM quality)
signal for you to relay ?
We would appreciate that service as your news then could be better
utilised by us on air with the audio included.
Would you consider relaying more RNZI material if the signal was improved in this way ?
As stated above, we would love to do that. Hoping you start with that service soon.
David Palapu
Manager Broadcast/Operations
Acting General Manager
How useful do you find RNZI as part of your schedule ?
Very useful.
How is RNZI regarded by you and your staff ?
Highly regarded.
How is RNZI regarded by your listeners ?
Not to sure without a research.
Do you think New Zealand gains any benefit from RNZI's presence in the region ?
Yes
Apart from its radio broadcasts, is RNZI useful in other ways - i.e. through the RNZI web page, media training, technical assistance etc ?
It could be more useful in media training and Technical Assistance.
Do you have any estimates of how many listeners you have ?
250,000.
Does radio still play an important role in communication within your country?
Its role is the most important still.
Is RNZI useful to your country during cyclone season - if so, how ?
Through direct listening or through SIBC relay of RNZI.
Would you like RNZI to be able to provide a better digital (FM quality) signal for you to relay ?
Yes.
Would you consider relaying more RNZI material if the signal was improved in this way?
Yes.
Any additional comments:
SIBC is committed to continue relaying RNZI news and sports programmes daily. Some times not possible due to poor reception. Our listeners can be guaranteed a daily relay if this can be solved by installing a new technology.
Aleki Silao
Former Manager
Modern House of Tokelau Project
(which installed 3 FM radio stations on Tokelau ‑ through which RNZI
programmes are re‑transmitted to the population)
How useful do you find RNZI as part of your schedule ?
RNZI provides for Tokelau (Atafu, Nukunonu, and Fakaofo) a daily link to
the outside world.
How is RNZI regarded by you and your staff ?
Very well.
How is RNZI regarded by your listeners ?
Very well.
Do you think New Zealand gains any benefit from RNZI's presence in the
region ?
Tokelau, being the last territory of NZ, gets connected via this medium
on a daily basis to the administering State.
Apart from its radio broadcasts, is RNZI useful in other ways ‑ i.e.
through the RNZI web page, media training, technical assistance etc ?
As IT communication with Tokelau is still limited we will explore ways
that RNZI can provide such as the above for Tokelau's benefit.
Do you have any estimates of how many listeners you have ?
The total population of Tokelau is 1500. So I estimate at least 1,000
people tune in to the 3 local FM radios for the frequent broadcasts, particularly the Pacific News from RNZI.
Does radio still play an important role in communication within your
country?
Very much so ‑ the 3 FM radio stations which have one shortwave receiver
each retransmits RNZI signals for the population to hear. One receiver
was donated by RNZI. It has become a medium through which issues are
brought to the attention of the villages.
Is RNZI useful to your country during cyclone season ‑ if so, how ?
I have not experienced this as yet but guess it would be as long as the
power source, diesel generators, are not put out.
Would you like RNZI to be able to provide a better digital (FM quality)
signal for you to relay ?
The better the clarity of the signal the better would it be for the
listeners.
Would you consider relaying more RNZI material if the signal was
improved in this way ?
Certainly.
Appendix Two – Training
PRESS RELEASE
20 October 2000
RADIO NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL WINS
COMMONWEALTH BROADCASTING AWARD
Radio New Zealand International (RNZI) has won a Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA) Rolls-Royce Award for Excellence in Broadcasting. The Award for ‘Effectiveness in Training’ was presented to RNZI Manager Linden Clark during the CBA Conference in Cape Town, South Africa last week.
This is the second time that RNZI has won a CBA Rolls Royce Award for Excellence in Broadcasting. Two years ago RNZI won the ‘Innovation In Management’ Award for its highly multi-skilled staffing. CBA Secretary-General Elizabeth Smith says “I am impressed that RNZI should twice win the Rolls-Royce Award for Excellence in Broadcasting. They won it in 1998 for Innovation In Management and now they have won it again for Effectiveness In Training. That is pretty good for a small and modestly funded organisation”.
The Training Award recognises a training project for Pacific women broadcasters run by Linden Clark and freelance broadcaster (and former RNZI Manager) Ian Johnstone. Earlier this year thirteen Pacific women from nine countries participated in a three month project designed to support the training and development of Pacific women broadcasters. The project was funded by the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO and New Zealand’s Official Development Assistance programme (NZODA).
Other Rolls-Royce Awards for Management, Engineering and Gender Awareness were presented to broadcasters from Malawi, Singapore and Mozambique, with entries from Canada and the Caribbean also being Highly Commended. The Elizabeth R Award for Exceptional Contribution to Public Service Broadcasting went to a specialist in children’s broadcasting from the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
PRESS RELEASE
February 2002
RNZI runs workshop for Pacific women
RNZI manager Linden Clark and freelance broadcaster Ian Johnstone recently ran a highly successful workshop for Pacific women broadcasters in Vanuatu with funding from the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association, UNESCO and the New Zealand government.
Nineteen women attended the two-week workshop from New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Some were radio station staff, others from the National Council of Women or Ministry of Women’s Affairs in the respective countries.
They listened to a range of presentations on issues of importance to women then recorded interviews based on the presentations. Each participant has also brought interviews and radio material from their own country to share with the other participants. From all this, they produced seven radio programmes at studios around Port Vila. The programmes will all be broadcast on RNZI and are being sent to all the participating countries for their use as well.
Linden says feedback from the work shop has been very positive. “Many participants have sole responsibility for producing women’s radio programmes in their country. They very rarely have the opportunity to work with broadcasters from around the region so the exchange of skills, broadcast material, training and ideas has proved very rewarding.”
Appendix Three – Meteorological Service Feedback.
Feedback from NZ MetService and from Pacific Meteorological offices on RNZI’s cyclone season warning service.
From: "Rod Stainer" <stainer@metservice.com>
To: "'Linden Clark'" <LClark@radionz.co.nz>
Date: 25/06/2002 09:43:38
Subject: RE: RNZI broadcasting
In answer to your questions:
1. Are RNZI cyclone services still relevant and useful?
Absolutely..In many of the islands you are the only backup and therefore
provide an essential service. The prime means of meteorological
communication in the Pacific is via EMWIN (Emergency Manager Weather
Information Network) ‑a satellite based system. This system does have an
uncertain future ‑ it is American operated and subject to budgetary cuts...
Operationally the system can be knocked out through generator failure which
may or may not be caused by cyclones. A few years ago when Cyclone Mona went
through Tonga EMWIN immediately failed when the generator room at the Met
Office was flooded and the countries only source of warnings was then from
RNZI ‑ we know this because our Pacific Manager Garry Clarke was in Tonga at
the time and was assisting the local Met Office to transcribe RNZI warnings
for further dissemination. Tokelaus are basically reliant on RNZI ‑ they
have EMWIN but for technical reasons it does not operate for a full 24
hours a day; they can also receive AM radio from Samoa but the signal is
very poor during the daytime, and therefore SW is important to them.. RNZI
is also the prime backup source for Kiribati, Tuvalu and Niue.
2. If we were to reduce broadcast hours each day do you believe this
would have some impact on the effectiveness of the service we provide?
Reducing your daytime hours would have a significant impact. I think it is
vital that you continue at the very least to broadcast continuously through
daylight hours during the cyclone season. People will get out
of the habit of listening... Also as I mentioned above, AM signals in the
islands are poor during the daytime unless you are in the main coverage
area.. I think the key thing here is that you are the main backup for
receipt of warnings and you need to be on air as much as possible ‑
MetService, with NZODA funding, has supplied the Pacific MetServices with SW
receivers that are pre‑programmed to receive RNZI broadcasts in order to
provide a backup. Any erosion of RNZI services could have grave
consequences.
Regards.
Rod Stainer
‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑
Chief Forecaster and Manager National Forecast Centre
Phn 64 4 470 0744; mobile 029 470 0744
Fax 64 4 473 5231
From: Steve Ready <ready@met.co.nz>
To: 'Linden Clark' <LClark@radionz.co.nz>
Date: 26/06/2002 15:07:27
Subject: RE: RNZI broadcasting
Hi Linden,
Your current objective "to provide a reliable source of information in the
event of natural disasters or a breakdown of local communication services"
is just as valid now as it was when first drawn up. The quality of the
service provided by RNZI has made it the only option for backup
broadcasting in the South Pacific. Rod mentioned to you about what happened
in Tonga during tropical cyclone Mona. If it wasn't for RNZI, Tonga would
have been left in the dark about what was happening. In the case of the
Northern Cook Islands, RNZI is used as a first line broadcaster due to the
difficulties in receiving MW broadcasts from Rarotonga. You will recall the
devastation and tragedy that tropical cyclone Martin caused on Manihiki in
November 1997 when 18 people lost their lives. If it wasn't for RNZI, no
warnings would've got through to the Northern Cook Islands. To demonstrate
just how much the Tropical Cyclone Committee for the South Pacific value
RNZI's role, we have devoted an entire chapter in our "TROPICAL CYCLONE
OPERATIONAL PLAN FOR THE SOUTH PACIFIC" under "BROADCASTING OF TROPICAL CYCLONE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC". In this chapter, we describe the role RNZI plays in the Tropical Cyclone Warning System for the South Pacific,
including its commitment to ensuring cyclone warnings are broadcast 24
hours a day.
I have received a number of replies from various members of the Tropical
Cyclone Committee and rather than summarise the contents, I would like you
to read them for yourself as they reflect the true feeling of the Committee
towards RNZI and the very valuable role that you play in helping us get the
message across to the people that matter - the residents of the various
Pacific Island countries.
Regards,
Steve Ready
MetService
New Zealand
Mr Alipate Waqiacelua, Manager, Forecast Services, Fiji Meteorological Service
RNZI broadcasts South Pacific-wide all Special Weather Bulletins promptly upon receipt. This is done irrespective of whether the local radios are still on the
air or not (it does not take much for the latter to happen in the South Pacific).
When local radios cannot broadcast, the public falls back on RNZI.
RNZI reporters also call up the Fiji Meteorological Service in Nadi for routine updates on expected developments, track and impact, especially if a system
threatens communities. These updates are broadcast for general information.
RNZI is a nominated back-up to Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited,
popularly known as Radio Fiji, in our Tropical Cyclone Directive as well as in our Seasonal Procedures which are sent to all relevant local organisations before
the start of any cyclone season. A fair chunk of our communities know its
existence and importance in tropical cyclone times.
In the worst situation, RNZI may still be the only information source for
Tropical cyclone warnings and advisories for the South Pacific public.
Hence, the Fiji Meteorological Service would go very strongly against any cessation of this particular service.
All in all, RNZI shortwave service has been always excellent through the years.
Mr Garry Clarke, Meteorological Adviser, Council of Faipule, Tokelau
Tokelau Meteorological Service wish to add their support for the continuance
of the RNZI Pacific Weather and Warning Service as per the current schedule.
We agree totally with the email from Alipate Waqaicelua at Fiji Meteorological Service.
Tokelau is reliant totally on RNZI for forecasts and warnings during times
of severe weather when TeleTok have to stow their satellite dishes in the
vertical to avoid damage, and the EMWIN (Emergency Managers Weather Information Network) system at Atafu is inoperative due to the lack of 24 hour mains power supply.
Radio 2AP the AM station in Apia Samoa, our other source of Tokelau weather
information often cannot be received during storms.
Tokelau Met is equipped with a digitally tuned Shortwave receiver to receive
weather forecasts and warnings from RNZI during this situation.
Mr Sionetasi Pulehetoa, Manager, Niue Meteorological Service
Radio New Zealand International plays a very important role in broadcasting
the weather bulletins for the Pacific and especially during the time of a
tropical cyclone.
With no means of broadcasting tropical cyclone warnings other than
RNZI, developing countries like Niue will be in a very difficult position to
receive warnings when the national communication systems are out of service.
Niue Met. strongly supports RNZI continuing to broadcast warnings for
the benefit of all small island countries.
Arona Ngari, Director Cook Islands Meteorological Service
The Cook Islands Met Service has been relying on RNZI to broadcast the
weather bulletins as well as the local Cook Islands language on the radio on
a regular basis. As the Cook Islands has had some difficulties in reaching
the outer islands, especially the Northern Cook Islands, I would see the
possibility of reduced hours of service as a case of major concern in times of tropical cyclones.
The concern would also have an effect on the outer islands who only receive broadcasts on RNZI. Considering that most bulletins on RNZI come on the
hour the Cook Islands Met Service would ensure that the local radio would broadcast the warnings prior to the top of the hour.
I would plea with RNZI to continue the current service. Also considering
that the climate models are going for El Nino in the later part of the year,
there is the chance of an increasing number of cyclones for small island
states, especially those to the east of the dateline.
Ofa Fa'anunu, Tonga Meteorological Service
In my 4 years with the Tonga Met. Service, I have never been able to catch the
broadcasts on RNZI during TC events. However, we have had positive feedback
from users of the service. Particularly from Australians and New Zealanders
living and/or working in Tonga. Although we do have an English bulletin send
out to our local radio station, most of the discussions are done in the Tongan
language therefore RNZI has been instrumental in catering for our English
speaking community. Having said that, I do recall during the passage of TC
Cora the local radio went off air for a while and we informed the public to
turn to RNZI as stipulated in the Tropical Cyclone Operational Plan. We did not have much feedback on the service.
In conclusion, the Tonga Meteorological Service. would like to see this service continued. As you know, communications are still a big problem in the Pacific and we need to hold on to what little we have. We are here to help save lives and property and I strongly recommend that RNZI keep this service.
Chanel Iroi, Director, Solomon Islands Meteorological Service
RNZI has been tremendous in the past as a back-up means of warning countries that are likely to be affected by tropical cyclones. Solomon Islands is thankful for the service they have provided. It would not be in the best interest of our people for this service to be affected. I appeal to RNZI to take into account our concerns and continue the service of providing warnings during tropical cyclones.
Hilia Vavae, Director, Tuvalu Meteorological Service
Any means of backup for broadcasting tropical cyclone warnings is very important to Tuvalu.
Our weather office have two backup systems for transmitting meteorological reports to weather forecasting centers if our email system fails. These are seamail via HF radio (comment: RNZI's frequencies have been programmed into this transceiver) and a normal fax machine. Still we're trying to get better communication systems than what we have now. This is because tropical cyclones are deadly natural disasters which we have to live with.
Hence our office values the RNZI service highly and we would like to see it continue in the future.
Appendix Four – RNZI Internet Results
Usage Statistics for www.rnzi.com
Summary Period: Last 12 Months
Generated 09-Dec-2003 12:15 NZDT
Summary by Month
Month
Daily Avg
Monthly Totals
Hits
Files
Pages
Visits
Sites
KBytes
Visits
Pages
Files
Hits
Dec 2003
30062
17905
3235
1477
10563
819506
11821
25882
143242
240501
Nov 2003
35316
21943
3145
1523
37378
4015288
45710
94353
658313
1059501
Oct 2003
39722
22359
3982
1513
37030
4339156
46920
123455
693145
1231395
Sep 2003
35407
19990
2938
1326
31369
3571460
39789
88153
599711
1062214
Aug 2003
33611
19275
2317
839
18129
3233150
26034
71834
597531
1041966
Jul 2003
30828
17874
2190
598
9653
3734107
18555
67909
554094
955690
Jun 2003
27366
15749
2534
524
8175
2775718
15744
76021
472475
820987
May 2003
30777
17712
1905
562
9182
3403297
17426
59080
549102
954088
Apr 2003
27614
16073
1787
540
9128
2583481
16220
53634
482211
828425
Mar 2003
29932
17597
2127
548
10075
2263375
16990
65958
545509
927911
Feb 2003
35366
21740
2306
514
8771
2608227
14414
64591
608746
990250
Jan 2003
29137
17374
1838
482
8983
3221873
14967
57006
538607
903255
Totals
36568638
284590
847876
6442686
11016183
Appendix Five – World Radio Network (WRN)
(Press Release for WRN’s European service – other releases for other networks.)
Press Release
27th June 2001
For immediate release
Pacific regional news for listeners in Europe
Interested in what’s happening in the Cook Islands or Vanuatu? For the first time, listeners to World Radio Network in the UK can now hear a daily round-up of Pacific affairs.
Korero Pacifica is a 15-minute programme produced by Radio New Zealand International, with a news bulletin covering the Pacific region including Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa and New Zealand, followed by a short current affairs feature. The programme is additional to RNZI’s weekly Dateline Pacific magazine programme heard across WRN networks.
As New Zealand is approximately a day ahead of European time, the programme is recorded in Radio New Zealand International’s Wellington studios late afternoon ready for transmission on WRN’s EuroMax English service every weekday at 1600 UTC.
WRN’s Australasian content partner Radio New Zealand International came on air in 1990 to cover the Commonwealth Games that year, and now broadcasts throughout the Pacific area and into parts of Asia and the west coast of USA via shortwave.
Listeners in the UK can hear World Radio Network on Skydigital, channel 872, Telewest Active Digital, channel 920, and various ntl analogue cable systems around the UK.
In Europe, WRN EuroMax is available on cable systems in Berlin, Cologne, Amsterdam, Vienna, Brussels, Dublin and Geneva.
Notes for Editors
Since 1993, World Radio Network (WRN) has become a major international broadcaster and transmission service provider, currently operating six radio networks that are available variously through national AM and FM broadcasters, cable services, direct-to-home reception via satellite, and Internet audio.
WRN 1 is a 24-hour-a-day English language service offering a rich mix of programming from more than 30 of the world’s leading non-commercial radio stations that gives listeners a uniquely varied cultural perspective. WRN 1 is available across Africa, Middle East, Asia, the Pacific, North America and is carried as an overnight service by public service broadcasters in South Africa, Namibia, and Canada. WRN also produces a tailored overnight service available to 600 National Public Radio (NPR) member stations across the USA.
WRN’s European Radio Network comprises EuroMix, the multi-lingual service drawing on news and features in 30 languages from Europe’s top broadcasters; EuroMax Deutsch, a German language service; EuroMax Français featuring the pick of the world’s French language programming; and EuroMax English, the English language service for listeners in Europe.
World Radio Network was the first UK broadcaster to make its audio services available on the Internet, winning Webcaster of the Year Award at IBC in 1998. Today it provides a live relay – using RealAudio, Microsoft’s Media Player and StreamWorks – of English, German and French language services as well as offering an extensive multi-lingual audio-on-demand service.
World Radio Network is also a major transmission company offering a range of broadcast services including permanent digital and analogue satellite transmissions, medium and short wave transmissions, Internet services (live streaming, on-demand downloading of audio and video), content hosting, broadcast consultancy and studio facilities. WRN’s clients include international and national public service broadcasters, commercial radio stations, satellite bouquet operators and cable companies.
For more information contact:
Gerry Halliday, Press & PR Officer, WRN
Tel: +44 20 7896 9000
Fax: +44 20 7896 9007
E-mail: gerry.halliday@wrn.org
Web: www.wrn.org
Broadcasting Steve Maharey announced fund increase in May 6 ,2003.
That is why I am especially pleased to be able to announce that as part of this year's Budget Radio New Zealand is to receive new funding worth $13.98 million over four years. The increase is to establish a nationwide FM service for National Radio and to meet the rising costs of core operations.
The funding package will enable Radio New Zealand to continue to meet its Charter obligations, cover operating cost increases, maintain quality programming and editorial services and address recruitment issues.
Radio New Zealand International receives an additional $600,000 over four years to enable it to increase its daily broadcasts of original programming and in particular Pacific current affairs. This also supports legislation currently before Parliament which amends RNZ's Charter to require it to provide an international radio service to the South Pacific.
Public Service Broadcasting
The new funding reflects this government's appreciation of what Radio New Zealand is about.
Our policies recognize that the role of the government includes providing for a range of broadcasting choice beyond what strictly commercial considerations will produce.
The public broadcaster is free of the constraints and pressures advertiser-driven broadcasters find harder to resist. Broadcasters motivated entirely by profit are susceptible to the business interests of their owners and advertisers.
The public broadcaster, as an independent entity with public funding, has a mandate to operate in the broad public interest. Public broadcasting is driven by the belief that broadcasting makes a difference to the health of a society or culture.
The work that you as broadcasters do every day bears out this principle. Some critics have argued that Radio New Zealand is too focused on politics and too Wellington-centred.
However Radio New Zealand provides an integrated service. News and current affairs hook listeners in and other shows induce them to stay. 40 percent of its music is home grown. Drama, features, talk, documentaries and Maori programmes speak to audiences far beyond Wellington's reach.
Your value and power as public broadcasters is in your capacity to be heard in nearly every kitchen in New Zealand.
National Radio currently reaches about 96 percent of the population. Some small communities like Twizel, Te Anau, Te Kuiti and the Chatham Islands which are outside the transmission range are so keen to get a signal they've raised money themselves to enter into a cost sharing scheme with Radio New Zealand for satellite reception.
The news, stories and programmes you produce connect New Zealanders with each other, offering loyal audiences throughout New Zealand a stimulating life-line.
Migration to FM band
That life-line will be technically enhanced by National Radio's move to FM transmission. The network will receive an additional $3.396 million to progressively establish FM services throughout New Zealand. Listeners in central Auckland, Taupo and Greymouth can already pick up National Radio on FM.
The service will be rolled out in stages, starting with the main centres by the end of next year. Around 93 percent of the population will be able to receive the service by 2006. The AM service will be retained, simulcasting for those listeners unable to tune into the FM band.
The move to a superior transmission service signals a great leap forward for Radio New Zealand. It is a demonstration of this government's commitment to RNZ's future and our expectation that the broadcaster will remain relevant and attract new audiences. FM transmission is clearly the preferred medium for younger radio listeners and without the migration National Radio risks a declining audience.
All radio competitors in New Zealand broadcast on FM and all major international public service broadcasters have FM transmission technology. Current AM broadcast is undoubtedly an inferior service and the move will ensure that RNZ can compete successfully in the national and international marketplace.
The sound quality is much better, the signal allows enhanced penetration into high-rise and built up areas and many new cars have radios capable only of FM .
The challenge for National Radio is to provide exciting, compulsive programming that attracts and holds listeners as they browse the FM band. New Zealand has the most deregulated radio industry in the world with the greatest number of stations per capita. However, Radio New Zealand is distinctive and that point of difference can be turned to competitive advantage.
It is my hope that a new range of FM listeners will want to add National Radio to their regular diet of radio stations; that they will dip into National Radio for a particular feature, New Zealand music show, or in-depth examination of a complex issue.
Increase in funding for core services
New Zealanders' thirst for innovative, informative, companionable radio should not be underestimated. Increased funding of $2.646 million a year for core operations will allow Radio New Zealand to better deliver its services and programmes. This will take RNZ's ongoing baseline funding from the previous amount of $22.4 million to the new amount of $25.046 million.
Radio New Zealand's operating costs have progressively increased for a number of years. Until recently these costs have been absorbed within the company. However more recent rises in operating costs have eroded the ability of the company to absorb them while maintaining service levels.
Radio New Zealand services are characterised by a high level of local content in news, current affairs, features and music. National Radio has 90 percent local content and Concert FM has 15 percent. Local content is costly. But RNZ is a proven performer in contributing to the social and cultural wealth of the nation and has, since it was established in 1925, played a significant role in developing New Zealanders' sense of identity.
New Zealanders are also global citizens and, as a particularly mobile population, are very much in touch with world events. Radio New Zealand consistently provides not only comprehensive, impartial news coverage of international stories but features, documentaries and interviews that take listeners to every corner of the planet.
Through its Charter Radio New Zealand is geared towards serving special needs and yet, ultimately, providing something for almost everyone. Its value is in its ability to explore every aspect of human activity from analysis of the Iraqi war on Morning Report and Checkpoint to Monica Lewinsky's revelations on Kim Hill to the Karaka yearling sales on Country Life to Dale Husband chatting with a kaumatua on Mana Tangata.
Listeners are informed and entertained. No other broadcaster approaches the same range and depth of programming mix, led by a flagship news and current affairs platform.
The government is providing the increased funding to safeguard RNZ's critically important role. It recognises there have been substantial cost pressures in providing a service that reflects and explains New Zealand issues, and broadcasts the best international programming, 24 hours a day.
Increase for Radio New Zealand International
Radio New Zealand International is receiving an increase in its baseline funding of $150,000 a year, bringing its total annual funding to $1.716 million, to offer more programming for Pacific audiences.
The new money will enable RNZI to increase targeted programming from four hours to ten hours each day. It will strengthen the service's ability to provide a comprehensive, reliable and independent source of Pacific regional and New Zealand information to a region which has been markedly more volatile in recent years.
More Pacific language programming will enhance the respect and partnership that exists between RNZI and its listeners and boost New Zealand's standing in the Pacific.
The goodwill that is generated by the broadcasts plays an important role in maintaining close relations between this country and its Pacific neighbours.
Looking back
I take personal pleasure in making these announcements to you this evening.
My own political involvement in broadcasting began a decade ago, spurred on by my firm commitment to ensuring a future for public radio.
In 1993, as opposition spokesperson for broadcasting, I introduced the New Zealand Public Radio Charter Bill to give expression to the principles of public broadcasting. The National government introduced the Radio New Zealand Bill in 1995.
During select committee hearings the charter, developed from my private member's bill, was included. The Charter has given Radio New Zealand distinct goals and a legitimate place in the life of the nation.
I recall, at that time, the way in which the company staunchly endured more than a decade of turmoil and change as the lone voice of public broadcasting.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s New Zealand moved towards becoming one of the most deregulated broadcasting systems in the world. Government decisions were effectively relegated to deciding who should be allocated television and radio licences.
RNZ was the last bastion of public service broadcasting to survive. The company sought to maintain a strong public service focus in a hostile environment in which commercial goals were paramount. Then, it had every reason to feel nervous, bullied and uncertain.
Under the National government Radio New Zealand struggled against political reluctance to maintain its funding and, through public pressure and its own lobbying, managed to secure the continuing existence of two networks, National Radio and Concert FM.
Many of you here will have been taken part in those battles because you know that public radio is worth fighting for.
New challenges
The time is right to capitalize on the synergy of news, current affairs, features, drama and music – all generated by the one broadcaster with an ethos of public service and social and cultural commitment.
It is time to stand up to challenge and overcome the predictable, tired accusations that Radio New Zealand is dull and boring.
All of us in this room know better than that.
We know that telling real stories with the depth and texture that your Charter allows, playing music that is the heart of this nation, and celebrating the drama that is its soul is the most exciting opportunity radio can offer anyone, anywhere.
While all media systems tend to support the institutional order of which they are a part, it is possible if extremely rare, for even a state-controlled media system to respond to the expressed demand of a mass public and genuinely take on the role of government adversary.
Worldwide audiences of IRB are likely to be aware of the direct links that exist between the international broadcasting organizations to which some international stations, such as the BBC and the VOA, have a degree of formal autonomy from their national government, the international media do not maintain any equivalent of a posture of antagonism toward their governments. To do so would be contrary to the widely understood raison d’etre of such organizations. The clear presence of a government media linkage and the absence of ritualistic antagonism between media and government puts audiences of their own domestic commercial media to have some insight into the constructed nature of political realities being presented as news by the media to which they are attending.
It appears that, universally, the perception of government-media linkages generates far greater distrust of media contents than the perception of business-media linkages. This occurs despite the general coincidence of the interests of business and government in private-enterprise, market-oriented economies.(Lindbolm 1977 )
Trusting their own society’s enormous media system to provide comprehensive and objective information about the political world, Americans do not tend to depend on any foreign information sources. The media systems that individual Americans construct for themselves do not usually contain IRB. However, it is only in the US and the Anglo-Saxon West that IRB receives little attention(Washburn Broadcasting Propaganda p77).
…………………
And in international broadcasting, more soundbites are used and voices recorded, opinions shared.
While westerners call it news, Chinese prefers to call it propaganda. It means China has never and denied that it’s doing propaganda. In fact, propaganda is not negative if you think it in a different way.
Interference and Jamming
There are two reasons why indirect interference is now generally preferred all around the world to the relatively crude method of jamming. One is cost, and the other the technical inadequacy of superimposing noise. Of these, cost is the most important in the eyes of the jammers. Precise figures are difficult to come by from the communist world, but some estimates have been made in the west. In 1956, when the Poles ceased jamming altogether, they did in fact give an estimate themselves. It had cost them, they said, an annual total of 17.5 million dollars which at the time, was the equivalent of the total annul budget fro the worldwise operations of the Voice of America. In 1962, western reports suggested that the Russians were using about 2000 transmitters for jamming, and that another 500 or so were in operation in eastern Europe. Total construction costs have been put at 250 million dollars and the annual operating cost at around 185 million dollars(Radio Power p133).
Jamming is expensive for a technical but simple reason. The incoming signal starts at one point, but it ends up over a huge area. If it is transmitted on a number of frequencies, it has to be combated by both sky-wave jamming, in other words by using the same medium as that used by the broadcaster, and by ground-wave jamming, which interferes with signals in the immediate vicinity of the jamming transmitter.
It also requires large teams of monitors to follow the signals around the frequency spectrum and if jamming is selective, to listen out for the hostile parts. An indirect cost is incurred in the transfer of manpower(estimated to be up to 10 thousand technicians in Russia) as well as equipment, which would otherwise have been used to boost domestic broadcasting services.
When this cost is set against the incomplete efficiency of jamming it becomes doubly difficult to justify it in economic terms. There is in fact no way of preventing some of the signals getting through.
It is not improbable that after Soviet jamming of all western stations has ceased, some transmitters will remain in service to jam the Russian-language broadcasts from China. There is some ground for believing that the Soviet Union
Is more fearful of attacks from the left than from the traditional right. Dissension on the left often has a more lasting quality of bitterness than the open and expected enmity between the opposite extremes of the political spectrum. And jamming between the Soviet Union and China is mutual. This will make it more difficult to reach an agreement to cease jamming simultaneously. Neither will want to be the first to give it up.
But the Sino-Soviet radio battle does serve to point up the absurdity of using arguments of international law to criticize or defend jamming. No one knows better than the jammer himself that his labours are only partially effective and desperately expensive. It will only be undertaken when the alternative seems very serious indeed. The view that the Russians have jammed so much and so often since the war because they disputed the west’s right to interfere in their internal affairs is an understatement. They have been concerned about the very survival of their own form of socialism. They take no risk, however small, which could threaten the system which they see as uniquely able to lead them eventually to communism, abundance and all the rest. Only recently have there been signs that they believe they are getting there. Clearly the Chinese still pose a threat, and that is why the Russians will continue to jam Radio Peking.
(Radio Power p142)
】
【留言】
【评论】
BEIJING, Sept. 22 -- An ingredient in green tea that researchers think might fight cancer may also protect the brain from the memory-destroying Alzheimer's disease, a study released on Tuesday said. 
Guo Sandui poses with his cotton strain in this file photo. [Net]BEIJING, Sept. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- A major cotton breeding breakthrough has made China the first country in the world to commercialize a cotton strain that can resist bollworms and increase output by 25 per cent.
