Internews’ Country Director Philippe Allouard reports that at least 12 radio stations broadcasting to the Port-au-Prince area and one national radio broadcaster are back on the air in Haiti. In addition, Internews is bringing in a 300-watt transmitter that is expected to be able to broadcast up to 30 miles around Port-au-Prince. Internews is currently working with the French government and relief organizations to send the transmitter from Paris to Port-au-Prince through the humanitarian aid corridor.Internews is also attempting to contact the 41-member network of community radio stations, RAMAK, with whom it has worked in the past in order to assess not only their safety, but also the state of their station’s infrastructure and broadcasting capabilities. One station has responded that the “situation is unimaginable and worse than anyone can predict.” Internews will continue to provide updates on the operational status of Haiti’s media as it becomes available.
(Source: Internews/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)