NATO war planes hit Libya state broadcaster

NATO-led warplanes struck offices of the Libyan state broadcaster in the capital Tripoli today, an information ministry official said. An AFP correspondent also saw further damage to offices of Libya’s equivalent of parliament, the General People’s Congress, which had already been largely destroyed in a strike three weeks ago. The two buildings lie some two kilometres (little more than a mile) from the city centre.

Libyan rebels have been pressuring satellite networks that air Moamer Gaddafi’s channels saying that these “incite hate and violence.” Lawyer Issam al-Mawy told AFP in May that Gaddafi “exploited the channels to transmit military codes.” Mawy is part of a Libyan law firm that has accused regime broadcasters - including Al-Jamahiriya and Al-Jamahiriya 2 - of inciting hate and violence by painting rebels as “terrorists” seeking to split the country in two.

Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, vice chairman of the Benghazi-based National Transitional Council, said Gaddafi’s regime had “without a doubt used media as a weapon, as a bullet” to spread progaganda. Media outfits can be considered legitimate targets under the Geneva Convention if they make an effective contribution to “military action,” Mohammed Abdel Dayem, programme coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa at the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists told AFP.

But when asked if NATO was targeting Libyan state broadcasters in May the western alliance replied in an email “our mandate is to protect civilians. We cannot consider that state-run media is actually attacking its citizens.” A NATO official said at the time that the alliance “had targeted military communication facilities which … may have affected media broadcast capabilities in the country” but it does not consider state broadcasters a military target.
(Source: AFP/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

NATO radio launches in Afghanistan

Text of press release from International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Joint Command on 22 April

Herat: Music, local news and in-depth discussions on important social issues and local culture are now more prevalent in western Afghanistan.

A NATO radio network station began broadcasting from Camp Arena recently, offering public-interest content to help local residents better understand the purpose of ISAF forces in Afghanistan.

Radio is the main tool to disseminate information throughout Afghanistan and can reach people even in the most remote areas, easily crossing the boundaries of literacy and distance. The radio station will provide an important contribution to the growth and social development of the country and provide immediate information in case of emergencies.

The broadcast selection is chosen by local personnel and closely connected with the target audience, the population of Regional Command-West’s area of responsibility. For this reason, all of the programmes are broadcast exclusively in the Pashto and Dari.

Mr. Guido Crosetto, under-secretary of state for the Italian Ministry of Defence, turned on the “On Air” light and spoke over the air during the ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday [19 April].

“Sada and Azadi West Radio [The Voice of Freedom - West],” said Mr Crosetto, “is a media that relies entirely upon an Afghan journalism staff and offers objective information on Afghanistan to all the citizens of the four western provinces - to city dwellers and those living in more isolated communities. The programming of Sada and Azadi Radio will pay attention to your proud traditions and prestigious culture without neglecting the specific needs of your everyday life. It is a service tool and an entertainment tool; a new voice that will increase the conscious participation in the democratic life of this country.”

The Task Force Commander Maj Renato Rocchetti directs and manages the new radio station, which is manned by an Italian Air Force NCO and three local journalists. Other staff members will be added soon.

The station was developed, with Italian funding, by the men and women of the Regional PSYOPS Support Element (RPSE), composed by personnel of 28th Regiment “Pavia,” a unit specializing in operating communications equipment.
(Source: ISAF website, in English 22 Apr 10 via BBC Monitoring/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Station Gives Voice to Remote Afghan Region

By Army Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller, Special to American Forces Press Service

NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - NATO's International Security Assistance Force is giving voice to residents of this remote area through a radio station run by one of their own.

When Shaib Dad Hamdard was growing up here near the Pakistan border, he dreamed of being a voice to his people. Now, with the turn of a dial and the flick of the switch, he's on air at Kalagush Radio, reaching out across the remote mountain province.

And he doesn't shy away from controversy. Today's topic: the need for women's equality.

"With this," the 24-year-old station manager said, motioning to the microphone, "I can educate my people. I can provide a voice to them."


Broadcasting into areas so isolated -- many residents may only travel as far as the neighboring village in their lifetimes -- Kalagush Radio is "a live existence of the [outside] world," Hamdard said.

For 12 hours a day, the Nuristani radio station offers news and entertainment programs that cater to the local people.

Although the news stories are not always positive, they are honest. They offer a balanced look at issues affecting residents under the station's "don't take any sides" philosophy.

But news is only part of the station's programming. DJs offer a variety of music, history, education, religious and social commentary shows, as well. One of Kalagush Radio's most popular shows is a daily music program that allows listeners to phone in with requests, Hamdard said. The show has received a huge response, he said.

"We think of the needs of the local people, and what they want," said Hamdard, remarking on the station's success.

Although ISAF funds the station, Kalagush Radio employees insist they decide what is put on the air.

"Of course it is funded by the coalition forces, but I have total control over the programs," Hamdard said. "The programs are not limited to any specific groups."

ISAF forces are working with Kalagush Radio to expand its broadcast schedule to 24 hours a day. They're also planning to hire several new journalists for the station, including an Afghan woman, offering a voice for what the station's crew calls a silent majority.

Related Story Links:

Kalagush Radio Broadcasts Freedom
http://northshorejournal.org/kalagush-radio-broadcasts-freedom

Tuning into Kala Gush Radio
http://www.1stid.org/about/pressreleases/3bct0808.pdf


Kalagush Radio DJ prepares the Nuristan province, Afghanistan, radio station for broadcast, Aug. 3. The International Security Assistance Forces funded station offers the people of the remote mountain area a variety of news and entertainment programs. Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO Photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller

And this from Kim Elliott's website (http://www.kimandrewelliott.com/

New NATO funded radio station in Afghanistan is "not limited to any specific groups." "NATO’s International Security Assistance Force is giving voice to residents of this remote area through a radio station run by one of their own. When Shaib Dad Hamdard was growing up here near the Pakistan border, he dreamed of being a voice to his people. Now, with the turn of a dial and the flick of the switch, he’s on air at Kalagush Radio, reaching out across the remote mountain province. ... Although ISAF funds the station, Kalagush Radio employees insist they decide what is put on the air. 'Of course it is funded by the coalition forces, but I have total control over the programs,' Hamdard said. 'The programs are not limited to any specific groups.' ISAF forces are working with Kalagush Radio to expand its broadcast schedule to 24 hours a day. They’re also planning to hire several new journalists for the station, including an Afghan woman, offering a voice for what the station’s crew calls a silent majority." American Forces Press Service, 10 August 2009. On FM? Or on medium wave or even shortwave, more capable of "reaching out across the remote mountain province"?

Taliban target NATO-backed radio transmitter

Text of report in English by Afghan independent Pajhwok news agency website
Faizabad, 9 August: A transmitter of the ISAF-run radio was attacked in the northeastern Badakhshan Province, wounding a guard and damaging a guard room. Sayed Abrar, a police official of the counter-terrorism department in the province, told Pajhwok Afghan News five rockets were fired at the Radio Saday-e Azadi [Radio Voice of Freedom] of NATO forces in outskirts of the provincial capital Faizabad last midnight.
Only one rocket hit the target, wounding a local guard of the transmitter and damaging the guardroom, said Abrar. Other rockets missed the target and did not cause any damages.
Abrar said the attack was the act of the Taliban who sporadically launch rocket attacks at night-time mostly targeting local military bases of foreign forces. A Taliban spokesman, Zabihollah Mojahid, said the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) radio based in Kabul with local offices in northern provinces was stopped after the rocket attack destroyed its transmitter in Badakhshan.
Radio Saday-e Azadi mainly airing music and news with publicity against militants has local transmissions in northern provinces in addition to its main transmissions in Kabul.
(Source: Pajhwok Afghan News website, Kabul, in English 1548 gmt 9 Aug 08 via BBC Monitoring/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)