BBG Signs Agreement With Radio Netherlands Worldwide

November 1, 2013

Increased collaboration is at the heart of a new agreement with Radio Netherlands Worldwide, the Broadcasting Board of Governors announced today. The agreement expands on the two global media organizations' longstanding partnership and enhances their cooperation in the areas of journalism and media training, program distribution, audience and market research, Internet freedom, and others.

"We look forward to developing our relationship further with RNW in support of our shared mission of advancing freedom of information and expression worldwide," said the BBG's Director of Strategy and Development, Bruce Sherman. "Wherever we can pursue cost-effective synergies for mutual benefit, we will seek to do so."

Commenting on the significance of the agreement for RNW, Director General Robert Zaal said, "For an online and social media organization such as ours, an exchange of ideas and cooperation in fields such as distribution and training is crucial. Teaming up is an explicit part of our strategy, and we expect to contribute to and profit from this agreement with BBG."

The agreement includes a cooperative training program -- to build indigenous journalistic capacity and support sustainable independent media  -- and shared distribution efforts aimed at improving reach to key audiences, particularly young adults.

Projects already in development include an exchange of innovation teams to pursue joint digital media ventures and journalism and media training for an upcoming international security summit.

Sherman and Zaal signed the agreement while attending the annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union in Hanoi, Vietnam.
(Leticia King/VOA PA)

Radio Netherlands offers special QSL

For those listeners who monitored Radio Netherlands final broadcast, you may send your program details to P. O. Box 222, 1200 JG Hilversum, The Netherlands, or letters@rnw.nl (subject: 29 June Reception report).

We'll return the favour by sending you a special QSL card commemorating the closing of RNW's English service!
(Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria)

Good luck - and yes we will miss Radio Netherlands !!

Final days of Radio Netherlands programming

All transmissions of Radio Netherlands World Sce in English and Indonesian on short waves will be terminated.

Here the updated schedule

All times UTC

English till June 29:
1000-1057 on 15110 PHT 250 kW / 283 deg to SEAs
1400-1457 on 9800 TRM 250 kW / 345 deg to SoAs
1800-1957 on 17605 SMG 250 kW / 144 deg to ECAf
1900-2057 on 7425 MDC 250 kW / 270 deg to SoAf
1900-2057 on 11615 ISS 500 kW / 192 deg to WeAf
1900-2057 on 15495 SMG 250 kW / 193 deg to WCAf

English, additional trasmissions on June 29:
0200-0257 on 6165 BON 250 kW / 345 deg to NoAm
0300-0357 on 6165 BON 250 kW / 335 deg to CeAm
0500-0557 on 6165 BON 250 kW / 315 deg to CeAm
0500-0557 on 12015 BON 250 kW / 230 deg to AUS
1900-2057 on 6065 WER 250 kW / 210 deg to Eu/Af

Indonesian till June 29:
1100-1157 on 9720 SAI 100 kW / 225 deg to SEAs
1100-1157 on 9795 PHT 250 kW / 200 deg to SEAs
1100-1157 on 15650 TIN 250 kW / 256 deg to SEAs
2100-2157 on 9365 PHT 250 kW / 200 deg to SEAs

Indonesian, additional trasmission on June 29:
1000-1057 on 15300 TRM 250 kW / 105 deg to SEAs
1000-1057 on 15565 TRM 250 kW / 105 deg to SEAs
1000-1057 on 17840 MDC 250 kW / 085 deg to SEAs
1000-1057 on 21485 MDC 250 kW / 085 deg to SEAs

Spanish Daily till June 29:
0000-0057 on 6165 BON 250 kW / 210 deg to Central and South America
0100-0157 on 6165 BON 250 kW / 290 deg to Carribean and North America
1100-1127 on 9895 BON 250 kW / 320 deg to Carribean and North America
1130-1157 on 6165 BON 250 kW / 210 deg to Central and South America
1200-1227 on 6165 BON 250 kW / 180 deg to Central and South America
1200-1227 on 9715 BON 250 kW / 290 deg to Carribean and North America

Spanish Mon-Fri from July 2, only one transmission:
1100-1157 on 9895 BON 250 kW / 320 deg to Carribean and North America
(DX Re Mix 734 via Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria)

Update on Radio Netherlands countdown to close of English service

A reminder to our readers as July 1 nears and the close of Radio Netherlands English service.

15 June We're also on air to Europe on 29 June! RNW's distribution department has arranged this frequency for you:

1900 UTC until 2057 UTC - 6065 kHz from Wertachtal

This will allow listeners in a large area of Europe to share the last two hours of RNW English on air.

DXers that have enjoyed Radio Netherlands for many years, are saddened, though not completely surprised at the station's recent announcement. Radio Netherlands has been a favorite of mine, and I will miss their English service and excellent programming greatly.
Gayle VH

Dear Readers,

We're very sorry to inform you that the English service of Radio Netherlands Worldwide will be closing at the end of this month. As a result, this website will see some changes.

From 1 July 2012 there will no longer be a daily review of the Dutch papers. Our coverage of Dutch news stories will also cease. And, since RNW's English webstream will end on 29 June, there will be no more Listening Guide.

However, we will continue to provide articles online relating to our new brief: promoting free speech in areas where people are not free to gather information or to form and express independent opinions.

Why?
The measures are a result of steep budget cuts imposed by the Dutch government and a concomitant change in focus. Providing the world with a realistic image of the Netherlands, as we have proudly done since 1947, will no longer be one of our statutory duties.

The last radio show
On 29 June we will broadcast a radio show looking back at the past decades of Radio Netherlands Worldwide. Have you got a memory to share? Please let us know, at the usual address, mailto:letters@rnw.nl. We'd love to hear from you.

Updates
Please keep checking this site for updates on our final day. There may be a surprise or two...

And, perhaps most importantly, thank you - for listening, reading, and riding this bumpy road with us over the years and through the recent, difficult times.
The RNW English team
(R Netherlands)

All transmissions of Radio Netherlands World Service in English on short waves will be terminated from July 1. Here is the current schedule:

All times UTC

1000-1057 on 15110 PHT 250 kW / 283 deg to SEAs till June 29
1400-1457 on 9800 TRM 250 kW / 345 deg to SoAs till June 30
1800-1957 on 17605 SMG 250 kW / 144 deg to ECAf till June 30
1900-2057 on 7425 MDC 250 kW / 270 deg to SoAf till June 30
1900-2057 on 11615 ISS 500 kW / 192 deg to WeAf till June 30
1900-2057 on 15495 SMG 250 kW / 193 deg to WCAf till June 30

Radio Netherlands Weekly Program Preview, April 6-12

The State we're In
Jonathan Groubert and his team look at current events from an unexpected perspective.

This week: It ain’t over

A 101-year-old man on leaving his infant daughter on a neighbour’s doorstep during the Warsaw Uprising. And how an Ethiopian migrant worker escaped her brutal employer in Lebanon.

First airing: Saturday 02:00 UTC

Earth Beat
Marnie Chesterton and her team look at the footprint we’re leaving on our planet.

This week:

Things that are going places. From rubber duckies sailing the ocean seas for a couple of decades, to the world’s most gruelling marathon and the first man to walk around the world, we’ll take you places you’ve never been.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

SOuth Asia Wired
Stories from South Asia.

This week:

When East Pakistan became Bangladesh in 1971 a minority community called the Biharis were stranded as stateless refugees in camps on the outside of Dhaka. Thirty years on they still hope to return to Pakistan one day.

(There'll be a new edition of the program on Thursday 12 April)

First airing: Thursday 10:00 UTC

Bridges With Africa
We're giving the microphone to Diaspora groups in Europe and are linking up with stations in Africa.

This week:

Could northern Mali become the 57th country in Africa?
As the African Union beefs up the quests for Joseph Kony, we hear from Jacob Acaye – the Ugandan boy featured on the KONY2012 campaign.
Music from a Rwandan up-and-coming star, marking the 18th anniversary of the country’s massacre.

First airing: Friday 00:00 UTC

Africa in Progress
Inspiring round-table discussions with guest speakers and in-depth interviews give listeners food for thought.

This week: Is China good for Africa?

In this edition we take stock of our relationship with the red dragon. One thing is sure: China is in Africa to stay, and it’s up to all to shape this relationship in a way that is beneficial to everybody.

Our guest is a leading expert who looks at facts and tries to dismiss myths about China’s engagement in Africa.

First airing: Monday 18:00 UTC

Commonwealth Story
A selection of winning stories chosen from the large number of entries for the 2010 Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

This week:

Swallow dive - by Melissa Madore, Canada. A moving story of loneliness and death.

First airing: Tuesday 01:50 UTC

Global Perspective
Who says I can’t… is the motto of this year’s collaboration of international broadcasters, offering stories of defiance and perseverance.

This week: Who says I can’t die… or live?

Bun Chai, who is paralysed from the neck down, made a public appeal to the Hong Kong government for the right to end his life… and in the process found a way to live. We hear Bun Chai’s story from Radio Television Hong Kong.

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

Hear the World
The current series of European Jazz Stage has come to an end. But don’t despair, there’s plenty of good music to come. We’ve started a new series of Hear the World, hosted by Dheera Sujan.

This week:

Guitarist Yamando Costa from Brazil is hailed as one of the world’s best guitarists.
French 10-man band Babylon Circus plays energetic and fast music, in an adventurous mix of ska, French chansons, punk and Balkan music.
Dutch Delight of the week is Giga Vôo, with Portuguese singer Magda Mendes.
Pablo Ziegler, an Argentinian nuevo tango pianist, and the Metropole Orchestra bring up the rear of the show in a dazzling mix of tango, jazz and classical music.

First airing: Monday 01:00 UTC

RNW Classical
Classical concerts from the Royal Concertgebouw as well as studio recordings of Dutch performers, presented by Hans Haffmans.

Available 24 hours a day

Streaming audio www.radionetherlands.nl/

English to Asia and Africa - effective to: 28 October 2012
0959-1000 15110as
1000-1057 15110as
1359-1400 9800as
1400-1457 9800as
1859-1900 7425af 11615af 15495af
1900-2000 7425af 11615af 15495af
2000-2057 7425af 11615af 15495af

The future of Radio Netherlands ?

23 December 2011
Radio Netherlands Worldwide - Facebook

In response to a comment about the possible abandonment of shortwave, the station wrote:

"The Dutch government has cut our budget by 70 percent from 1 January 2013. If we were to continue to use shortwave at the level we do now, due to the high cost we wouldn't have enough money left to produce any meaningful content :-( The exact situation after 1 Jan 2013 has still not been finalised. We will definitely close or sell our relay stations in Bonaire and Madagascar, as there will be no budget to pay staff to work there. We *may* retain a limited number of shortwave broadcasts, but this hasn't yet been decided. As soon as we know definitely, we will inform our listeners and Web users."

https://www.facebook.com/radionetherlands
(Mike Terry, UK/Cumbre DX)

RNW budget cuts to go ahead

The Dutch parliament has voted against two motions which might have blunted the effect of the budget cuts facing Radio Netherlands Worldwide. One motion called for a separate debate devoted to the future of RNW. Previous debates tackled the cutbacks facing all public broadcasting. The other criticised the decision-making as hasty and called for a postponement.

Effectively, this vote means that the cabinet’s plans to move RNW from the education, media and culture ministry to the foreign ministry and cut the budget from 46.3 million euros to 14 million will definitely go ahead. RNW’s management will now draw up a redundancy plan, which is expected to be completed in October.
(Source: RNW News/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Changes ahead for Radio Netherlands Worldwide ?

Radio Netherlands Worldwide is adjusting its journalistic focus to concentrate more on informing people in countries where press freedom is not a given. In addition, RNW will serve as the journalistic calling card of the Netherlands. The new focus 'Free speech, Dutch values', comes ahead of a cabinet decision about budget cuts to public broadcasting.

RNW expects that a final, detailed version of the coalition's plans for the media will be published in mid-June. The coalition agreement states that "RNW will focus on its core tasks including freedom of speech while funding will be provided by the foreign ministry."

Opportunities
Director General Jan Hoek clarifies: “This is a logical step. Many of our activities mesh seamlessly with foreign ministry policies, including the promotion of free speech and propagating Dutch values. This makes RNW an important journalistic calling card for the Netherlands as a trading nation and a champion of international law.”

Recent research shows that less than 30 percent of the global population has access to the internet, which is strictly censored by a number of countries.

“We reach the greater part of our audience via local media organisations which re-broadcast RNW content. In this way, RNW reaches tens of millions of people in their own language, meeting their information needs. External research has confirmed that new technological developments have not made RNW redundant, but rather offer new opportunities to make a difference.”

New course
Jan Hoek expects that budget cuts will be part of the final cabinet media plan. "With this new course, we will be ready. Because, just like all other public broadcasters, we will have to make a contribution to the necessary budget cuts. It is difficult, but with this new course we are making a proportional contribution. We are reducing our budget from 46 million euros to 36 million euros, or about 20 percent.”

If RNW's new focus meets with government approval, the reduction would be realised by winding down Dutch-language activities and short-wave broadcasts (by closing two transmitting stations in Bonaire and Madagascar, for example). About 100 jobs will probably be lost in Hilversum and on these two islands.
(gsh/as/imm/nc/Radio Netherlands News Desk via Alokesh Gupta)

RNW surprised by report on far-reaching cuts
Radio Netherlands Worldwide was surprised on Tuesday evening by an unconfirmed report from commercial news broadcaster RTL TV that government cuts to Radio Netherlands Worldwide will leave the Netherlands’ international service with less than a quarter of its budget.

In response to the reports, RNW Director General Jan Hoek says “If this is so, it appears decisions are being taken without due care. I can’t imagine this happening.”

Earlier today, RNW announced plans to substantially slim down its Dutch-language service. The proposed savings in the management plans amount to 10 million euros, roughly 20 percent of the media organisations’ budget. The proposed package is entitled “Free Speech, Dutch Values”.

The new plans outlay a shift in focus towards providing news and information to regions where press freedom is limited. Dutch-language programming would be largely scrapped, keeping only RNW’s function as an emergency broadcasting station in the event of disasters for Dutch nationals abroad.

RTL says its sources are close to the Dutch government, which is due to take decisions on public broadcasting funding in general soon. Changes in the funding of Radio Netherlands Worldwide will be part of a raft of measures.

At the moment Radio Netherlands receives 46 million euros every year for its activities, which currently include providing news and information to Dutch nationals abroad, acting as an emergency broadcasting station in case of international disasters, informing people in regions where press freedom is limited and presenting a realistic and balanced view of the Netherlands.
(Source: RNW News/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Netherlands Worldwide Program Guide

Programming for June 3 - 9, 2011

Hello,

Exploring taboo subjects - we like doing that on RNW. But we're not the only ones. Join this week's Africa in Progress to hear how an African multimedia initiative is breaking sexual taboos and helping young people take responsibility for their sexual health.

Enjoy our programmes!
Hilary

The State We're In
Jonathan Groubert and his team look at current events from an unexpected perspective.

This week: Be a Man

Men grappling with what it means to be a man, including the story of the father of a murdered teenager who counselled his son’s friends from seeking revenge. The son of former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl talks about getting out from his father’s shadow. And a man who found making the coffin for his distant father an odd gesture of love.

First airing: Saturday 02:00 UTC

Earth Beat
Marnie Chesterton and her team look at the footprint we’re leaving on our planet.

This week: Things that are going places

From rubber duckies sailing the ocean seas for a couple of decades, to the world’s most gruelling marathon and the first man to walk around the world, we’ll take you places you’ve never been.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

Bridges With Africa
We're giving the microphone to Diaspora groups in Europe and are linking up with stations in Africa.

Bridges with Africa is RNW's radio programme linking Africans in Africa and Africans in the diaspora. Every week we bring you interviews, feature stories and African music. From culture and business to scandals and sports. You'll hear what makes Africans tick.

First airing: Friday 00:00 UTC

Africa in Progress
Inspiring round-table discussions with guest speakers and in-depth interviews give listeners food for thought.

This week: Straight talk about love matters
Africa in Progress often explores taboo subjects: topics that people are not keen to discuss openly; one of them is sexuality. In recent editions, we heard young people talking about what they need to know about sexuality, and we discussed the role of parents and the role of educators.

In this edition, we hear about an African multimedia initiative that is breaking sexual taboos and helping young people take responsibility for their sexual health.
First airing: Monday 18:00 UTC

South Asia Wired
Programme in which South Asians get to talk to each other, hosted by Dheera Sujan.

This week:

Nepal has been without a proper constitution for three years and it looks like it's going to take a little longer than expected. Last week, Nepal's parliament delayed the deadline once more with another three months. But what does it mean for the Nepalese that they are without a constitution?

Also on the programma, the story of Christy Raj from India. She was born a female, but she wishes to identify herself as a man. While transgenders in India traditionally have a designated place in society, for people like Christy, life can be very difficult.

(There'll be a new edition of the programme on Thursday 9 June)

First airing: Thursday 14:00 UTC

Commonwealth Story
A selection of winning stories chosen from the large number of entries for the 2010 Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

This week: Framing the nation - by Sylvia Schlettwein (Namibia). Where to hang an old family painting?

First airing: Tuesday 00:55 UTC

Global Perspective
Who says I can’t… is the motto of this year’s collaboration of international broadcasters, offering stories of defiance and perseverance.

This week: Who says I can’t escape?

Canada is a nation of immigrants. Its self-image as a safe haven for refugees is a point of national pride. But there is always a gatekeeper, a bureaucrat in an immigration office who says you can - or can’t - come in. And that’s where broadcaster Natasha Fatah begins the story of Eduardo Lopez in her documentary Escape from Honduras, from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

Hear the World
Listen to the world’s musical heartbeat on RNW. A brand new world music series hosted by Dheera Sujan.

This week:

Rich in sounds from Africa, with Manou Gallo and Lucas van Merwijk’s Music Machine, Renaud Garcia-Fons and Still Black Still Proud with a tribute to US soul star, James Brown. This week's Africa Unsigned artist is Xuman.

First airing: Monday 00:00 UTC

RNW Classical
Classical concerts from the Royal Concertgebouw as well as studio recordings of Dutch performers, presented by Hans Haffmans.

Available 24 hours a day via our sister web station RNWclassical.com

Streaming audio available at: www.radionetherlands.nl/

Radio Netherlands English Service to Asia and Africa

0959-1000 12065as 15110as

1000-1057 12065as 15110as

1359-1400 11835as

1400-1457 9800as 11835as

1759-1800 6020af 15495af

1800-1857 6020af 15495af

1859-1900 7425af 11610af

1900-1957 7425af 11615af 15495af

2000-2057 7425af 11615af
(R Netherlands)

RNW intensifies cooperation with Deutsche Welle

Radio Netherlands Worldwide is to intensify its cooperation with Deutsche Welle as of 1 June 2011. In the coming two years the two international news organisations will share their internet content in Arabic, Chinese and Indonesian as well as other languages, and make a number of joint productions. The media organisations, which both provide news and background to areas with an information deficit, expect the plans to enable them to provide a better service to their internet audience and to work more efficiently.

Editor-in-Chief of Radio Netherlands Worldwide Rik Rensen: “We are both involved in broadcasting to the Arab World, China and Indonesia. Some of our internet stories for these areas do not have a specific Dutch or German angle. It is this kind of content that we want to exchange and produce jointly. This way we can provide a better service to our audience and avoid overlaps.”

Director of Deutsche Welle, Erik Bettermann: “This is a historic moment. In this way we can, from Europe, solidify our shared values such as freedom of the press, human rights and democracy.”

The editorial teams in Hilversum (Radio Netherlands Worldwide) and Bonn (Deutsche Welle) will periodically discuss which news issues can be covered jointly and which audio and video reports can be co-produced.

The two media organisations will also look into how they can combine efforts to better protect internet users and social media platforms. This is in response to developments in which press freedom is increasingly coming under threat across the world. To avoid putting internet users in countries with little or no press freedom in danger (for instance in countries where they could face imprisonment or worse) the two broadcasters will look for ways to enable their readers to visit websites without risk. This will be done by developing software which protects the ‘footprints’ of internet users.

(Source: RNW Press Release/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

RNW Historial Audio Archive: 50 Years of shortwave in Holland

On 30 March 1977 Radio Nederland (as we were then called in English) broadcast a special programme marking our 30th anniversary, and 50 years since the first shortwave broadcast from the Netherlands. The complete programme is now available to listen to/download from the RNW Historical Audio Archive. Here’s a synopsis of the programme:

* Hendrik (Henk) van den Broek, Radio Nederland’s first director, recorded in 1955, explains why Radio Nederland was set up.
* The origin of Dutch overseas broadcasting goes back to 1927, the pioneering year of shortwave telephony. The Philips Laboratories in Eindhoven experiment with the PCJJ short-wave transmitter. The transmissions reach as far as the East-Indies. Mr. A C de Groot, a technical official of the Netherlands East Indies PTT and a radio amateur, is sitting up all night monitoring the 30 metre band in the hope of hearing amateurs operating in morse code from The Netherlands. Somewhere around 3:00 AM, he hears a voice speaking in Dutch saying “This is an experimental transmission from the Philips Laboratory in Eindhoven, Holland, on a wavelength of 30.2 metres”.
* That same year, the NV PHOHI (Philips Omroep Holland-Indië) was set up, a joint commercial operation of Philips and other Dutch Companies with interests in the East-Indies. It used the PCJJ transmitter.
* In November 1928, Edward (Eddie) Startz began broadcasting over PCJJ, marking the beginning of his popular “Happy Station” programme. Startz dropped the second J of PCJJ and said that PCJ stood for “Peace, Cheer and Joy: The Happy Station of a friendly nation”.
* Engineer Martin Ruis speaks about the closure of the shortwave transmissons because of the invasion of the German Army in May 1940. They tried to destroy the transmitter, but later on the Germans succeeded in reparing the PCJJ-equipment, and used it to broadcast propaganda to India (”The Voice of Free India”).
* Paris and London took over when broadcasts from Hilversum ended: The Dutch first used the French shortwave service for a programme called “Vrij Nederland”. That ended after a month with the German invasion of Paris. Over in London the Dutch Government in exile in late 1940 created “Radio Oranje”, the official voice of the Dutch Government.
* Fragment of a Radio Oranje transmission: Bob den Doolaard speaks about sabotage (in Dutch).
* Unknown Dutch speaker about listening to Radio Oranje and the BBC during the war.
* Hendrik van den Broek became head of Radio Oranje and in 1944 he created a station called “Herrijzend Nederland” in the grounds of the Philips Company in Eindhoven. When the whole of The Netherlands was liberated he moved his operation to Hilversum. Radio Nederland was born.
* On 15 April 1947 the private non-profit foundation Stichting Radio Nederland Wereldomroep was founded, after many discussions about the future of Dutch broadcasting.
* Short quote from Queen Wilhelmina about the end of Dutch rule in Indonesia.
* The story of Radio Netherlands in the fifties and beyond.
* Eddie Startz with the Happy Station station in Spanish, French and English.
* Technical expert Jim Vastenhoud talks about technological developments and the future of shortwave radio.
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Al Jazeera live stream back on RNW website

Due to the ongoing situation in Libya, RNW is again providing a live stream of Al Jazeera English. You can watch Al Jazeera, which also includes a live Twitter feed. Having watched Al Jazeera extensively in recent days, I can highly recommend its coverage for a more in-depth analysis and less repetition than I have seen on other news channels. An RNW correspondent (whose name we cannot publish for safety reasons) is also reporting from inside Libya.

Al Jazeera has published comprehensive country-by-country information on its worldwide satellite frequencies and full details of carriers on cable and ADSL. All the details are on this page of its website.
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Al Jazeera live feed from Doha: http://www.rnw.nl/english/video/middle-east-unrest-live-video

You may also watch Al Jazeera English, live video stream all the time at:
http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/

Radio Netherlands extends Al Jazeera web feed

As events in Egypt likely to escalate, here is a quick reminder to our blog readers. I kept this live feed on all afternoon in my office, with no streaming problems as in previous days. In checking daily shortwave logs, Radio Cairo on shortwave has been very sporadic and poor. You'd have better luck following Al Jazeera or network television.
Gayle VH

The arrangement to stream Al Jazeera English on the RNW website to cover breaking news from Egypt has been extended, and the stream will now be available on our website through Monday 14 February 2011.

Live feed at: http://www.rnw.nl/english/video/live-footage-cairo
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Netherlands launches new Farsi website

Prompted by the tense relations between Tehran and The Hague following the execution of Dutch-Iranian Zahra Bahrami, RNW has launched a new website aimed at Iran. The new site www.rnw.nl/farsi went live today in a ‘light version’ - for social media and mobile phone use - and will be, as its name indicates, produced in Farsi, the language spoken in Iran and by the many Iranians who live outside the country.

The decision to start this new internet service has also been prompted by the continuing crises in Egypt and Tunisia, both of which are of great significance for many other countries in the region, including Iran. The current Islamic Republic there is itself the result of a popular uprising which took place in Iran in 1979. This new RNW website is also Radio Netherlands Worldwide’s first service in Farsi, the station’s 11th broadcasting and website language.

RNW Editor-in-Chief Rik Rensen believes that there is a large market within Iran which would welcome an independent and balanced service from the Netherlands: “The website’s initial launch is for a period of one month, at the end of which we’ll decide whether it should be continued.”

With social media providing popular information-sharing platforms for many Iranians, too, much of the output of www.rnw.nl/farsi will also be re-published via these channels.

RNW already provides an Arabic-language service which produces radio programmes and satellite text TV alongside its main website www.rnw.nl/hunaamsterdam . The service in Farsi will translate and publish material from the Arabic service where relevant for Iran and Iranians. A daily review of major news as covered by Dutch and international media will also be provided in Farsi.

RNW says it intends and hopes to work with media partners both in and outside Iran which want to share information in Farsi, provided these organisations are able to operate independently.
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Netherlands to close Bonaire relay station in 2012

Radio Netherlands Worldwide has made the decision to close its Bonaire shortwave station in October 2012. RNW’s Head of Programme Distribution, Jan Willem Drexhage, said the closure was regrettable, but stressed that this was a financial decision, and doesn’t mean that RNW has imminent plans to drop shortwave.

“It is a beautiful station, with good equipment, and ideal for reaching North, Central and South America, but the number of hours we are broadcasting from the station has been steadily falling in recent years. We anticipate that by the end of 2012, the number of hours will be so small that it would be too costly to maintain the station. That doesn’t mean we will stop shortwave immediately, as we will lease time on other stations in the region, for example Montsinery in French Guiana and Sackville in Canada. So the closure of Bonaire doesn’t automatically mean that we are giving up shortwave.”
(Radio Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Amateur Radio DXpedition to Bonaire Oct 10-24

As you may have read on the RNW website, on October 10, 2010 the Netherlands Antilles will cease to exist as a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the status of the individual islands will change as follows:

St. Maarten and Curacão will become independent countries within the Kingdom and will be granted the same status that Aruba attained in 1986. Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius will be given the status of a public body (a kind of special municipality) in the Netherlands and will therefore fall directly under Dutch rule.

To mark the occasion, a group of 15-20 radio amateurs from several countries have joined forces to activate special transmissions from Bonaire between October 10-24, 2010. The primary focus will be all HF bands from 160 to 10 meters including the WARC bands. The team will focus on all modes including SSB, CW and various digital modes. Further information about the callsigns to be used will be published on the special website www.bonaire2010.com.

Various locations on the island will be used, but the primary location is the RNW shortwave transmitter site. Its impressive antenna park provides up to 21 dBd gain. The radio amateurs have been granted use of the antennas during their “dead hours” on the HF bands, between 1230 and 1830 UTC. It’s planned to operate from the RNW facility on 30, 20, 15 and 17 metres.

Between 11 and 15 October, the RNW facility will also serve another purpose. A group of schoolchildren from Bonaire will be contacting another group of children in the Netherlands who will be the guest of Dutch ham PD1DX. This will provide an opportunity for the group of new Dutch country citizens to ask each other questions in order to get to know one other a little bit better.

All QSOs will be QSL’d through the services of Global QSL who will be responsible for printing and distributing cards to all QSL bureaus worldwide. If you do not use a QSL bureau or would like to send for a direct confirmation, all QSL information will be published on the website www.bonaire2010.com.
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)



PJ ACTIVITY. During the next three weeks (starting October 10, 2010), DXers will be treated to something special that they have never seen before - multiple new DXCC entities. Expect huge pileups and probably plenty of confusion. It is suggested to "PLEASE be patient", "LISTEN" and "KNOW" who/what you are working. Even though the PJ islands are expected to be new DXCC entities, they will NOT be totally rare ones and will be easily accessible for future operations. With over 11 operations expected to be on the air during the next month, observe/listen first and then have fun working them.

STATIONS EXPECTED TO BE ON THE AIR October 10, 2010
PJ2T - Curacao Island; October 10th-November 2nd
PJ4B - Bonaire Island; October 10-22nd
PJ4I - Bonaire Island; October 10-22nd
PJ4N - Bonaire Island; October 10-22nd
PJ5/AH6DX - St. Eustatius; now through October 15th
PJ5/AA4NC - St. Eustatius; October 9-15th
PJ6A - Saba Island; October 10-22nd
PJ7E - Sint Maarten; October 10-20th
PJ7/AA4NC - Sint Maarten; October 15-18th
PJ7/AH6DX - Sint Maarten; October 15-22nd

STATIONS EXPECTED TO BE ON THE AIR LATER IN NOVEMBER:
PJ4A - Bonaire Island; November 23-30th
PJ5/SP6IXF - St.Eustatius; November 18th-December 3rd
PJ5/SP6EQZ - St.Eustatius; November 18th-December 3rd
PJ7/K1GI - Sint Maarten; November 20-23rd

Special thanks to OPDX's Propagation Guru Lee, KH6BZF, for providing the following longitudes and latitudes of the following dutch islands:
PJ2 - Curacao Island 68-Deg. 59' W and 12-Deg. 10' N
PJ4 - Bonaire Island 68-Deg. 28' W and 12-Deg. 15' N
PJ5 - St. Eustatius Island 62-Deg. 58' W and 17-Deg. 30' N
PJ6 - Saba Island 63-Deg. 14' W and 17-Deg. 38' N
PJ7 - St. Maarten Island 63-Deg. 3' W and 18-Deg. 1' N

SPECIAL NOTE: Bill Moore, NC1L, Awards Branch Manager, informed the DXCC QSL Checker on October 6th (edited): "As you know on 10/10/10 Bonaire, Curacao and Sint Maarten, et al, will become deleted entities on the DXCC list. Other changes will occur and a full news release will be made at the appropriate time.

For card checking purposes, DXCC will not be accepting any contacts for the new entities until January 1, 2011. If you receive applications with the deleted PJ's, these can be checked until December 31, 2010. However, if your applicant asks, this entity will still count but as a deleted entity. (effective 10/10/10).

If someone brings to you a QSL dated 10/10/10 or after, but before January 1, 2011, this card must be returned to them, unprocessed. The new entities will not even be added to the DXCC computer until January 1, 2011, so submitting them will result in nothing credited."
(Ohio/Penn Special Bulletin 979.1 via Tedd Mirgliotta & Larry Van Horn)

Frequencies for Netherlands vs Uruguay on July 6

Additional Radio Netherlands Worldwide mediumwave and shortwave frequencies will be operating on 6 July for live coverage in Dutch of the World Cup semi-final between the Netherlands and Uruguay. The match kicks off at 1830 UTC, and if the score is level after 90 minutes there will be 30 minutes extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shoot-out. Therefore the following frequencies will be on the air between 1800 and 2200 UTC:

1296 kHz to Benelux
5915 kHz to South Africa
5935 kHz to Indonesia, W Australia, Indian Ocean
5950 kHz to Europe and Scandinavia
9895 kHz to SW Europe
11670 kHz to SE Europe
11905 kHz to eastern N America
13640 kHz to US & Canada
15310 kHz to Caribbean & Florida
17535 kHz to Atlantic & West Africa
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

GOOD LUCK TO THE DUTCH !!!!!!

World Cup soccer schedule via shortwave radio

a program reminder to our World Cup Fans

Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Via relays in France, French Guiana, Germany, Madagascar and Netherlands Antilles

24 June, 03 July, 06 July, 10 July, 11 July
5950 1800-2200 18,27,2 WER 500 210 Nld RNW

28 June, 29 June, 02 July, 03 July
5955 1200-1459 27,28 NAU 500 210 Nld RNW
9895 1200-1459 27S,28S NAU 500 230 Nld D RNW

28 June, 29 June, 02 July
7235 1330-1657 28NW ISS 250 65 Nld F RNW
9595 1330-1657 27 WER 250 300 Nld D RNW
9620 1330-1657 18 NAU 500 11 Nld D RNW

28 June, 29 June, 02 July
9895 1200-1459 27S,28S NAU 500 230 Nld D RNW
13700 1600-1657 28S,39W WER 500 120 Nld D RNW

28 June, 03 July, 06 July, 07 July, 10 July, 11 July
9895 1800-2200 27S,28S NAU 500 230 Nld D RNW

24 June, 03 July, 06 July, 07 July, 10 July, 11 July
11670 1800-2200 28S,38, WER 500 120 Nld D RNW

28 June, 29 June, 02 July, 03 July
13700 1200-1459 27S,28S WER 500 240 Nld D RNW
13700 1330-1459 28S,39W WER 500 120 Nld D RNW

24 June, 03 July, 06 July, 07 July, 10 July, 11 July
15310 1800-2157 8S,11 BON 250 320 Nld HOL RNW

24 June
17535 1800-2200 46,47W BON 250 80 Nld HOL RNW
(wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews June 14)
(WWDXC-Bc-DX # 968 via wb, Germany)

Radio Netherlands begins Classical Music station

From June 3, Radio Netherlands Worldwide is offering listeners around the world a new service: classical music radio via the Internet. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, RNW Classical at www.rnw.nl/english/dossier/music will broadcast classical music by Dutch composers and performers to an international public, and combine it with information about RNW’s other activities. In the event of global or national disasters, it will also become an important source of news.

Additional information at: http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/all-day-classical-music-station-launched-rnw
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Netherlands Program Guide June 7-11

MONDAY 7 JUNE

*** Classic Dox ***

'A Boat Trip through Borneo' (Orig. Broadcast May 2005) The wildlife habitat of Borneo has been sited as one of the most endangered places on earth. The World Wildlife Fund leads a campaign called "Heart of Borneo" to try and stop various threats like the illegal pet-trade in orangutans. Producer Anne Blair Gould meets orphan orangutan babies and a wild male orangutan named Beethoven.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.30 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.30 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
10.30 Africa and Asia
12.00 North America

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
15.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
17.00 Europe

*** European Jazz Stage/World Music ***

In the late 1940s and early 50s arrangers such as Gil Evans and George Handy started writing a kind of ensemble music of which the echoes still reverberate in jazz today. Take the tour along the New York Impressionists with your guide Hans Mantel.

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw ***
The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra is led by the young conductor Fabien Gabel, in Harold in Italy by Hector Berlioz and the Symphony in d minor by César

Franck. The concert is hosted by Hans Haffmans.

*** The State We're In - Midweek Edition ***

Migrants on the move: With immigration still a hot-button issue in the US again, we talk to writer Ruben Martinez who's documented border crossing stories.

We also meet a Honduran migrant worker who's been deported from both the US and Mexico while crossing illegally - and he's still determined to return to the US to see the two daughters he left behind there. And writer and musician Ruben Martinez talks to Jonathan about the complex realities of crossing the border while listening to a simulation from central Mexico which mimics what it's like to cross into the US.

Workers of the field, unite!: Contributor Andrew Stelzer presents a story about a coalition of farm workers based in Immokalee, Florida - many of them undocumented migrants - who've taken on Big Food corporations and modern-day slave operations and won.

TUESDAY 8 JUNE
*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Commonwealth Story ***

A selection of winning stories chosen from the large number of entries for the 2009 Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

'LIFO' (Last In First Out) - by Akinwumi Akinwale from Nigeria. It's last in, first out as the economic crisis begins.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065

Broadcast times on WRN
10.00 Africa and Asia
22.00 Asia and North America

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw ***

The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is conducted by chief conductor Mariss Jansons, in masterworks by Shosktakovich and Beethoven. Your host is Hans Haffmans.

*** Classic Dox ***

'In the Shark's Domain' (Orig. Broadcast October 2001)
No matter how safe we feel, we are always at the mercy of a predator. We could be swimming at our favourite beach and suddenly a shark mistakes us for lunch.

We could be living in a small town and be shot by a man who hears God's voice telling him to do it. Producer Dheera Sujan draws unsettling parallels between sharks and serial killers.

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
15.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

WEDNESDAY 9 JUNE
*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
15.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

*** Reloaded ***

Weekly highlights presented by Mindy Ran

*** Classic Dox ***

'The Master's Menagerie' (Orig. Broadcast May 2000)
During the Dutch Golden Age, painters depicted domestic and exotic animals in all styles and genres. The director of the Amsterdam zoo and various art experts guide producer David Swatling through the Dutch animal kingdom of the 17th century as painted by Rembrandt, Jan Steen, Paulus Potter and many others.

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

THURSDAY 10 JUNE
*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** The State We're In - South Asia edition ***

It's been nearly a decade since the Taliban were overthrown in Afghanistan. For the first half of this week's show, we focus on the region. Join your host Chhavi as we hear from a woman parlimentarian what she thinks about negotiating with the "moderate" Taliban and an Indian journalist working in Kabul. We end with an uplifting piece about a school of happiness in Germany.

*** Earth Beat - South Asia edition ***

Join your host Chhavi for a roundup of conservation techniques from round the world. From Kabul we hear of a unique way of drying and storing produce for the winter. From Oaxaca we hear about a waterless toilet. From New Delhi we hear about an air filter the government has installed in Central Park. And, finally, from Kashmir, once a paradise on earth, we have a report on the environmental situation there.

*** South Asia Wired ***

Afghan analyst Martine van Bijlert talks to Dheera Sujan about her insiders view of the complicated and multi-layered relationship Afghanistan has with the international community.

*** Classic Dox ***

'Buffalo Nation' (Orig. Broadcast January 2005)
Romantic images of the Old West feature majestic buffalo thundering across the Great Plains in the company of Indians on horseback. In the battle for control of the Plains, the buffalo was almost wiped out. Producer Martha Hawley explores how ranchers are working to restore the herds as Native American traditional culture is being revived.

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
15.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

FRIDAY 11 JUNE
*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Bridges with Africa ***

We're giving the microphone to Diaspora groups in Europe and are linking up with stations in Africa. The show goes beyond the clichés of starving children and war-ridden countries and seeks to bring you genuine voices from a vibrant continent.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
04.30 Africa, Asia and North America
17.00 Europe
22.00 Asia and North America

*** Earth Beat ***

We travel the globe to look at the challenges and solutions to sharing urban space. We visit a slum in India to find out if city planners can learn from these makeshift homes. Discover a tiny apartment in Hong Kong that can transform into a multiple of rooms. And consider how well we dwell with wildlife.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.30 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065

*** Classic Dox ***

'The Winged Muse' (Orig. Broadcast June 2004)
The regal, enchanting swan has inspired so much memorable poetry, music and imagery that one might almost forget that this beautiful, long-necked creature also has a private life off-stage in Nature. Producer Marijke van der Meer portrays both aspects of the life of a swan: as a bird and as a work of art.

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
15.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.04 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.04 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.04 Europe
22.00 Asia
23.00 North America and CBC
(R Netherlands)