Swedish Radio has decided to discontinue the service in Belarusian, from September 1, 2009. The broadcasts on medium and shortwave began on a test basis in 2004. Elle-Kari Höjeberg, responsible for Swedish Radio's broadcasts in foreign languages, says that since then "there has been an explosion in other platforms that medium and shortwave". She adds that Swedish Radio will look for new ways to reach an audience in other parts of the world. Ingemar Löfgren, head of SR International, which also includes Radio Sweden, says his ambition is to strengthen and prioritize other areas within the department. He points out that SR International will continue to broadcast in Russian, a language that is also understood in Belarus.
(Radio Sweden/Alokesh Gupta)
(Radio Sweden/Alokesh Gupta)