Radio Prague threatened with shortwave closure

It has just been announced that the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs is looking for Radio Prague to end all shortwave transmissions from the Czech Republic at the end of 2009.

This would be an irreversible step. Radio Prague is the only customer at Litomysl and this would result in the closing and dismantling of that transmitter site.

Radio Prague’s former editor-in-chief David Vaughan is afraid that the closure of shortwave, if it goes ahead, could spell the end for Radio Prague.

He writes: “when I was also active in the European Broadcasting Union, I followed developments in international broadcasting closely. During that period a number of international broadcasters abandoned their roots in radio – nearly always at the bidding of bureaucrats rather than those involved in the stations themselves. Almost without exception the outcome, sooner or later, was the demise of the station altogether."

Mr Vaughan continues “The news of the latest cuts puts the staff and management of Radio Prague in a difficult position. It will not be easy for them to launch a campaign to save the shortwave broadcasts, as they could find themselves facing the alternative of having to cut jobs instead. Given that the amount of money needed to save the shortwave broadcasts is so small [about half a million euro a year], I am convinced that the cause is worth fighting for and that it does not have to be a case of pitching jobs against shortwave. If the decision-makers in the government and at the ministry can be made to understand what is at stake, I am sure that the money can be found. ”

Mr Vaughan says that Radio Prague needs to get listeners support at this time. Their address is:

Radio Prague
Vinohradská 12
120 99 Prague 2
Czech Republic

Tel: (+420) 221 552 933
Fax: (+420) 221 552 903
E-mail: cr@radio.cz

Listeners should also contact The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
Ministerstvo zahranicních vecí
Loretánské námestí 5
118 00 Praha 1, the Czech Republic
tel: +420 224 181 111
e-mail: podatelna@mzv.cz

Listeners should contact the Czech Embassies and representatives in their own country.
A List of Czech Embassies can be found here.

Source: Media Network, David Vaughan via Jonathan Murphy/Mike Barraclough