DX LISTENING DIGEST 5-088, May 26, 2005 Incorporating REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING edited by Glenn Hauser, http://www.worldofradio.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits For restrixions and searchable 2005 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1275: Thu 2030 WOR WWCR 15825 Thu 2300 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.2 Fri 0000 WOR WTND-LP 106.3 Macomb IL Fri 0200 WOR ACBRadio Mainstream [repeated 2-hourly thru 2400] Fri 1600 WOR WBCQ after hours Fri 2105 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.2 Fri 2300 WOR Studio X, Momigno, Italy 1584 87.35 96.55 105.55 Sat 0000 WOR ACBRadio Mainstream Sat 0800 WOR WRN to Eu, Au, NZ, WorldSpace AfriStar, AsiaStar Sat 0855 WOR WNQM Nashville TN 1300 Sat 1030 WOR WWCR 5070 Sat 1730 WOR WRN to North America [NEW] (including Sirius Satellite Radio channel 115) Sat 1730 WOR WRMI 7385 [from WRN] [NEW] Sun 0230 WOR WWCR 5070 Sun 0300 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Sun 0330 WOR WRMI 7385 Sun 0630 WOR WWCR 3210 Sun 0730 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.2 Sun 0830 WOR WRN to North America, also WLIO-TV Lima OH SAP (including Sirius Satellite Radio channel 115) Sun 0830 WOR KSFC Spokane WA 91.9 Sun 0830 WOR WXPR Rhinelander WI 91.7 91.9 100.9 Sun 0830 WOR WDWN Auburn NY 89.1 [unconfirmed] Sun 0830 WOR KTRU Houston TX 91.7 [occasional] Sun 1200 WOR WRMI 7385 Sun 1300 WOR KRFP-LP Moscow ID 92.5 Sun 1730 WOR WRMI 7385 [from WRN] Sun 1730 WOR WRN1 to North America (including Sirius Satellite Radio channel 115) Sun 1900 WOR Studio X, Momigno, Italy 1584 87.35 96.55 105.55 Sun 2000 WOR RNI Mon 0230 WOR WRMI 7385 Mon 0300 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0330 WOR WSUI Iowa City IA 910 [1274] Mon 0415 WOR WBCQ 7415 [ex-0430] Mon 1600 WOR WBCQ after hours Tue 0600 WOR WPKN Bridgeport CT 89.5 [also WPKM Montauk LINY 88.7] Tue 1600 WOR WBCQ after hours Wed 0930 WOR WWCR 9985 Wed 1600 WOR WBCQ after hours MORE info including audio links: http://worldofradio.com/radioskd.html WRN ON DEMAND [from Friday]: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: WORLD OF RADIO 1275 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1275h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1275h.rm WORLD OF RADIO 1275 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1275.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1275.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1275.html [soon] WORLD OF RADIO 1275 in true shortwave sound of Alex`s mp3 (stream) http://www.dxprograms.net/worldofradio_05-25-05.m3u (download) http://www.dxprograms.net/worldofradio_05-25-05.mp3 Catastrophic hard drive failure at http://www.piratearchive.com has taken 11/12ths of this site down. The Pirate Archive is my main website and the overflow from this site is stored there. Since dxprograms server only has 500 megs of storage space we can only hold about one month`s worth of DX programs at this time. I was just reviewing the server logs and only a few of the older files get streamed each month. So I`m betting this problem really won't effect many and we can still enjoy the site. Take care 73 (Alex Draper, May 25, dxprograms.net forum via DXLD) So many old WOR mp3 files are gone. I still have almost a year`s worth in rm files on my site via http://worldofradio.com/audiomid.html (gh) ** CHINA [non]. Surprised to hear CRI in English on 9570 via Cuba at 1403 May 26 --- but it was gone a minute later as the techs realized their mistake. It`s supposed to be only during the 1300 hour (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. The sun long ago set, and ouch --- Rebelde is local level on 530, 0140+ GMT, 26 May. Baseball coverage. Since their huge power increase on the 17th of May, they were nonetheless still trounced at night to the point of being inaudible shortly after sunset at my QTH, due to Radio Visión Cristiana's huge signal. Not so now -- unless RVC is off the air tonight (Terry L. Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [and non]. Re 5-087: Hr. Terry & Auteurs of the Ether; Don Maximo is full of surprises. R. Sancti Spíritus strong days & nites, mild ix from Pine Island 1200, no hint of Silver Springs. Several years ago 1200 was off air a while, allowing Sancti 1200 en Trinidad to raft its way up here. 1210's format most engaging. Your assiduously detailed report makes point re Cuban vs. stateside radio - spontaneity vs. tedious predictability. As was said of Keyser Soze, you never know. Eclextic cavalcade of musicians you mention makes one wonder if el Barbudo of Sevillity will soon air Saturday afternoons of G.G. Allin & the Murder Junkies, compleat with hurling of various fluids, in manner of Opera at the Met? The late Mr. Allin, Lebanon, NH's native son, is dearly missed by many. None have yet to continue his concert tradition of crashing through plate glass windows. Given Cuba's lack of same, best he never lived to perform there. During heyday of groups you mention, all Rhode Island was in a lather. WLKW FM dumped '36 Hours of Christmas' music for tedious reasons, many listeners, no sponsors. How 'bout in lieu offering, Florida's 58 Hours of Sunny Tunes' featuring the Butthole Surfers? Bright yellow translucent LP, downstairs in vault, holds their unforgettable 'Movin' to Florida". Intercut with dance tunes from The Cramps' 'Bad Music for Bad People'? Metropolitana 910 aired piano solos by Cervantes one evening couple weeks ago, at once transporting one from forced beach march to The Breakers, when Newport Music Festival featured lone Russian pianist playing from memory, for three hours. How 'bout interlacing Cervantes piano solos with delicate reveries a la 'Christmas at K-Mart', by Root Boy Slim & The Sex Change Band? Only Fido has the courage to air innovative formats. -Z.- "I'm gonna cut off my leg in Florida. And dance one legged, off in the rain." - C. 1986, The Butthole Surfers. (Paul Vincent Zecchino, Exiliado en Jefe, Manasoviet Key, FL, 25 0242Z MAY 05, BT, IRCA via DXLD) See also ECUADOR: ** ECUADOR [and non]. Re 5-087, HCJB`s change from 11760 to 11690 at 1100-1500 in Spanish to South America. Oops! That blocks our only chance to hear R. Jordan in English, which, BTW per HFCC A-05 11690 1300 1630 6-9,27,28 AKA 500 313 1234567 270305 301005 D Arabic JOR JRT JRT 6548 1 OLD-A04 [but this has long been in ENGLISH] is intended for USA, CIRAF 6-9, as well as W & C Europe 27, 28. It`s been a long time since we have been able to pull a listenable signal from Jordan, since constant RTTY is also on 11690, presumably from somewhere in or near NAm, but the new presence of HCJB, even beamed the other way, finishes off Jordan, which I think, does make it much better to ENAm, especially for those able to notch out the RTTY. EiBi A-05 has: 11690 1400-1730 JOR Radio Jordan E Eu But it seems to me this has DST shifted an hour earlier, ending at 1630. As Primetime Shortwave shows: Jordan R. Jordan 1300-1630 NA 11690 The WRTH A-05 supplement hedges, with 1400-1730, but ``sign-on/off times may vary``. Well, that still gives us some time after HCJB closes at 1500, but the first two hours of English from Jordan are blocked. I imagine this will not be such a problem in Europe; how is Jordan English reception there? As for RHC in a quid-pro-quo moving off 12000 so HCJB in English until 1400 on 12005 is clear --- no, they haven`t, as of May 26. Both signals are strong here, and with a bit of side-tuning either one is QRM-free (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. 15190, R. Africa, May 25, 2120-2300*, religious programming in English and language (Gospel Crusade Ministries, Erie, PA; Church of Christ, Memphis, TN; etc.), says to tune in to ``Radio Africa 2,`` ``WRMI`` or ``Radio Africa`` to hear their programs. Says to contact the ministries in care of ``Radio Africa`` at the Cupertino, CA address or at info @ panambc.com Very good and almost completely readable (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, NRD545, with T2FD antenna, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ERITREA [non]. ERITREA/ETHIOPIA: ERITREAN DISSIDENT PROGRAMME OBSERVED ON ETHIOPIAN STATE RADIO BBC Monitoring observed a programme produced by an Eritrean opposition movement on two shortwave frequencies used by the external service of Radio Ethiopia, at 1501-1600 gmt on 25 May 2005. At 1501 gmt on 7165.1 and 9560.3 kHz, following on immediately from a Radio Ethiopia external service broadcast in Arabic, there was an identification announcement in Arabic as "Voice of the Democratic Alliance" [Sawt al-Tahalufa al-Dimuqrati], followed at 1530 gmt by a programme in the Kunama language. Radio Ethiopia's external service resumed at 1600 gmt with a broadcast in English. The Voice of the Democratic Alliance programme is believed to have been on the air since 21 April 2005, in accordance with the following schedule: Sunday 1500-1530 gmt in Arabic, 1530-1600 gmt in Tigrinya Monday 1500-1530 gmt in Arabic, 1530-1600 gmt in Kunama Tuesday 1500-1530 gmt in Tigrinya, 1530-1600 gmt in Afar Wednesday 1500-1530 gmt in Arabic, 1530-1600 gmt in Kunama Thursday 1500-1530 gmt in Tigrinya, 1530-1600 gmt in Afar Friday 1500-1530 gmt in Arabic, 1530-1600 gmt in Kunama Saturday 1500-1530 gmt in Tigrinya, 1530-1600 gmt in Afar Voice of the Democratic Alliance is produced by the Eritrean Democratic Alliance coalition, an umbrella grouping of 16 opposition parties. The organization has a multilingual website at http://www.erit-alliance.org Radio Ethiopia is that country's state broadcaster, and has a website at http://www.angelfire.com/biz/radioethiopia Source: BBC Monitoring research 25 May 05 (via DXLD) ** HUNGARY. The 302-m-high mast of the 2000 kW Solt transmitter on 540 kHz is being painted; this work will last some weeks. During the work, the transmitter is switched off and two other transmitters take over the transmissions on 540: Marcali 500 kW and Lakihegy 150 kW (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, mwdx yg via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL INTERNET. Glenn: Nice interval signal site here -- even The Voice of Greece. http://www.uvolk.de/index_en.html (JOHN BABBIS, Silver Spring, MD, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN [and non]. GUIDE TO IRANIAN MEDIA AND BROADCASTS TO IRAN MAY 2005 | Produced by BBC Monitoring Media Services Contents 1. Overview and political background 2. Broadcasting: Organization, strategy and recent developments; Broadcasting chief; Bias; Changes; Funding 3. Television: Domestic TV channels; Additional services; International broadcasts; Satellite ban; Persian-language broadcasts from abroad; US-based stations; Europe; General observations 4. Radio: National radio; Local radio; External radio; Broadcasts into Iran; Kurdish and other broadcasts 5. Press: Conservative; Reformist; Others 6. News agencies 7. Internet news sites: Other web sites: Conservative; Pro-reform; Opposition; Others 1. Overview and political background Broadcasting within Iran is controlled by the state and largely reflects the views of the Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamene'i) and the conservative clerical establishment. Although satellite dishes are officially illegal, their use is currently tolerated and there is a big audience for foreign-based Persian-language satellite channels and international broadcasters. Surveys have found that television is significantly more popular than radio or newspapers and that Iranians rely mostly on domestic television for their news and information. There is a large number of daily and weekly newspapers and the press reflects a range of political viewpoints, albeit within the limits allowed by the law and constitution. All publications have to be licensed, and there have been periodic crackdowns on reformist newspapers and journalists seen as going beyond acceptable limits. Recent years have seen an increase in the number of news agencies and web-based news sites, the latter serving to promote the viewpoints of both conservative and reformist groupings. Political and individuals have also taken advantage of the development of weblogs, to the extent that Persian is now one of the most widely used languages on the internet. The authorities have been struggling to exert control over this newest form of media. Political debate within Iran takes place within an area defined by certain written and unwritten rules. Criticism of Islam, the Supreme Leader or Imam Khomeyni is not tolerated, nor is questioning the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic. Common charges against those deemed to be dissidents are: propaganda against the regime, undermining national security, encouraging unrest and insulting sacred beliefs Political background Mohammad Khatami won an overwhelming victory in the 1997 presidential election with the promise of greater social and political freedom. This was followed by a reformist victory in the Majlis (parliamentary) elections of 2000. The period also saw a massive expansion and liberalization of the press. However this produced a reaction from the conservative judiciary and clerical establishment and a large number of newspapers were banned or closed down. Khatami's government regularly found its legislation and initiatives blocked, and in 2004 the conservatives regained control of parliament. A presidential election is scheduled for 17 June 2005. 2. Broadcasting Organization, strategy and recent developments Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) is the state organization in charge of domestic and external broadcasting. Its domestic services are also known as the Voice and Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran. There are no private, independent broadcasters within the country. The IRIB has a supervisory board, with two representatives of each of the branches of state, the presidency, the legislature and the judiciary, but they do not play any executive role in the organization. The power to appoint and dismiss the director of the IRIB is assigned by the constitution to the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamene'i. Broadcasting chief Ezatollah Zarghami was appointed director of IRIB in May 2004, aged 45, replacing Ali Larijani (who may well be a conservative candidate in the June 2005 presidential election). Zarghami was one of the students who occupied the US embassy in Tehran in 1979 and served in the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps. In the mid 1990s he was deputy minister of culture and Islamic Guidance with responsibility for cinema. He then joined IRIB as deputy director in charge of legal, parliamentary and provincial affairs. The reformist daily Sharq described his appointment as strengthening the position of the "young conservatives", a group that has a strong belief in the principle of the guardianship of the supreme ruler. Bias During Larijani's tenure, IRIB frequently drew criticism from reformist supporters of President Khatami, who accused it of overt bias in favour of their conservative opponents. Khatami's activities and statements were often ignored or only partially reported by the state broadcaster. The organization was notable for its complete absence of reporting on the student protests of July 2003. Larijani's efforts to curb what he called "foreign cultural influence" over young Iranians, by cutting imported programmes, led some 150 reformist MPs to criticize IRIB in January 2004 for what they alleged was pro-conservative bias in the run-up to parliamentary elections. Larijani responded by saying that their protests only played into the hands of foreigners - a charge commonly used to blacken politicians and journalists when they cannot be accused of anything more specific. Changes Since Zarghami took over, changes have been noticed in the style and content of programming, moving it away from what a Reuters correspondent described as "a bland schedule dominated by religious programming which failed to attract young viewers". Radio and television have appeared to respond more quickly to social developments. There has been a move towards interactivity - with viewers and listeners being urged to telephone or e-mail their opinions, and officials being put up to answer questions from the public. In a speech to IRIB officials in December 2004, Ayatollah Khamene'i said that the media had a central responsibility in confronting the propaganda and "cultural onslaught" the country and region were facing. He said it was important that young people did not feel that the country was backward; they had to feel that they were making progress, moving forward. Khamene'i said the media had to be trustworthy and competitive and to improve the quality and quantity of both national and international broadcasting. The official news agency IRNA quoted Zarghami as saying in reply that Khamene'i's recommendations would form IRIB's strategy over the next five years and that upgrading the form and content of television programmes was under consideration. Funding IRIB's main funding comes from the state and is included in the annual government budget. It earns some income from broadcast advertising, sponsorship and other commercial activities. Exact figures have not been made known. However, in 2001 there was a fierce dispute when the reformist-dominated Majlis tried to cut IRIB's budget allocation by some 20m dollars. IRIB had estimated its advertising revenue at 20m dollars, whereas some MPs reckoned it to be closer to 40 or 50 million. The Majlis later launched an inquiry into alleged misuse of some 500m dollars of funds, but it produced no result. For the year 2005/6, it was reported that the Majlis had backed a 5m- dollar increase in the budget allocation for IRIB and the Islamic Propagation Organization, to be taken from the allocations for the promotion of cultural heritage and tourism. 3. Television Iranian television expanded rapidly in the 1990s, adding more channels, starting international services and moving into satellite and digital broadcasting. IRIB currently operates four nationwide channels (which it calls networks), a 24-hour news channel, a number of provincial and specialist services and three external networks. These broadcasts are also available live over the internet at http://live.irib.ir/live.htm Domestic TV channels Most broadcasts are in Persian, with some brief news bulletins in English and some provincial programming in languages such as Azeri and Arabic. The four main nationwide channels are: Network 1 is also known as the National Channel. It caters for a general audience and broadcasts the main daily TV news bulletins at 1400 and 2100 (local time). Its terrestrial transmissions are thought to cover 96 per cent of the country, more than any of the other channels. The news bulletins provide a bland, and sometimes selective, overview of the main domestic and international events of the day and activities of key leadership figures, especially Ayatollah Khamene'i. There is little in-depth analysis or comment, except for the final one or two items, which usually provide a brief look at a current international topic or a non-controversial domestic issue. http://www.irib.ir/tv/ live streaming at http://www.irib.ir/live/tv1.asx Network 2 is also known as the Culture Network. It is similar to the first channel, but includes specialist programmes and some documentaries. It also broadcasts lengthy interviews and discussions with officials on issues such as events in Iraq or the nuclear issue. The evening news bulletin at 2030, local time, was noted in late 2004 to have adopted a slightly different tone in its reporting, covering a wider range of political views and offering more in-depth analysis of issues. http://tv2.irib.ir/ live streaming at http://www.irib.ir/live/tv2.asx Network 3 is the Youth Network and said to be the most popular channel. It broadcasts mostly sports and light entertainment programmes. http://tv3.irib.ir/ live streaming at http://www.irib.ir/live/tv3.asx Network 4 - the Knowledge Network - broadcasts scientific, educational, religious and and cultural programmes http://tv4.irib.ir/ live streaming at http://www.irib.ir/live/tv4.asx Network 5 is also known as the Tehran Network. It broadcasts light entertainment, local news and current affairs. Its midnight news bulletin is IRIB's last domestic news of the day. Although technically a regional rather than a national channel, because it is carried on satellite it can be seen around the country. http://tv5.irib.ir/ live streaming at http://www.irib.ir/live/tv5.asx Provincial TV Eight provincial channels are available on satellite: Azarbayjan-e Gharbi, Esfahan, Fars, Kerman, Khorasan, Khuzestan, Mazandaran, Yazd. There are a further eight broadcasting terrestrially: Azarbayjan-e Sharqi, Ardebil, Bushehr, Zanjan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Qom, Kermanshah, Hamedan and Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari. All of these can be accessed on the internet at http://live.irib.ir/live-cities.htm According to the TV4all.com site, they broadcast from 1300 to 2030 gmt, but this has not been confirmed. IRI News Network - also known as Khabar (News) or Channel 6, is a 24- hour news channel. Its format is similar to that of BBC World and CNN. Its position within the IRIB's stable of channels is not entirely clear. It began in 1999 as a new domestic network. However, all reference to it has been removed from the IRIB website and its website has been inaccessible since 2004 --- Although there is still a link to its live internet stream at http://www.irib.ir/live/khabar.asx In addition, it transmits via the Hot Bird 3 satellite, whereas all the other domestic channels are carried on the Intelsat 902 satellite. Additional services Payam (Message) Network is a teletext service. News and information on sports, finance and arts in Persian is accessible on Network 2, while an English-language teletext service can be found on Network 3. A selection of Persian teletext is also avalaible as video-text on Network 5 before it begins transmissions. Also on the internet at http://teletext.irib.ir/Teletext.asp Kor`an Network - although this is listed as a separate channel, in fact it produces programming which is shown on a number of the other channels. Network 2 for one hour after the midday prayers; Network 4 from 0600 to 1100; Network 5 0100-0530 http://qurantv.irib.ir/ Educational Network broadcasts secondary school courses and religious and scientific educational programming from 0930 to 2300 http://www.irib.ir/amouzesh/default.htm International broadcasts IRIB began international TV broadcasts in 1997 with the Persian- language Jaam-e Jam service and the multilingual Sahar TV. The Arabic- language Al-Alam news channel started in 2003. Jaam-e Jam (Jaam's Cup - named after a legendary Persian king) was launched in December 1997. It describes itself as broadcasting to expatriates, Persian speakers, and those interested in the culture and civilization of Iran. Jaam-e Jam has three channels, broadcasting a 24-hour mix of general programming, some with English subtitles. Channel 1 (also called IRIB 1) broadcasts via Hot Bird 3 for viewers in Europe and the Middle East; Channel 2 (IRIB 2) broadcasts via Hot Bird 3 and Intelsat Americas 5 for Europe and North America; Channel 3 (IRIB 3) broadcasts via Asiasat 2 and Intelsat 902 for the Middle East, Asia and Oceania/Australia. The three channels do not broadcast the same programming, though there is some overlap. Interestingly, IRIB seems to realize that it has a potentially large audience for Jaam-e Jam within Iran, despite the ban on satellite dishes. A revamp of the TV pages of its website in March 2005 resulted in the channel being given equal prominence with the domestic networks. It may also be that Jaam-e Jam is being used to compete against some of the popular expatriate satellite channels: it takes a more relaxed attitude on social issues such as showing musical instruments being played, which would not be allowed on the domestic channels. http://jame-jam.ir/ live streaming at http://www.irib.ir/live/jj1.asx and jj2.asx, jj3.asx Sahar TV is an international television service broadcasting news and general progamming on two channels in several languages. Its aim is "to deliver the message of the Iranian revolution to the outside world". Channel 1 is available on Hot Bird 3 (Europe) and Nilesat 102 (Middle East). Channel 2 is available on Hot Bird 3. According to its website, Sahar broadcasts in English, Arabic, French, Kurdish, Bosnian, Azeri and Urdu. There have also been reports of transmissions in Turkish. It is not clear how up to date the information is; the site is the least informative and well-maintained of the IRIB sites. In February 2005 the French Higher Broadcasting Council ordered Eutelsat to halt transmissions to France of Sahar Channel 1 for broadcasting programmes that were anti-Semitic and an incitement to racial hatred. The programmes were Al-Shatat (Diaspora), a Syrian- produced series that included a denial of the Holocaust, and Zahra's Blue Eyes, a serial in which a Palestinian girl is tricked into having her eyes removed so they can be transplanted into a blind Israeli. http://www.irib.ir/live/sahar.asx and http://www.irib.ir/live/sahar2.asx Al-Alam (The World) is IRIB's 24-hour Arabic news channel, targetting a pan-Arab audience. It transmits on a number of satellites and can be received in Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and America. Al-Alam began broadcasting in February 2003, shortly before the start of the Iraq war. Its style of presentation is similar to that of the major pan-Arab satellite news channels such as Al-Jazeera and Al- Arabiya. It has bureaus in Baghdad and Beirut. Its news bulletins give extensive coverage to the Middle East, particularly Iraq and the Palestinian territories. In addition to satellite, it is broadcast from a terrestrial transmitter in Iran, making it easily accessible in large areas of southern and eastern Iraq and the only international channel available without a satellite dish. However, this fact is less significant than it was. An Intermedia survey in mid-2004 found that 78 per cent of Iraqi viewers had access to satellite dishes. Al-Alam's total audience reach was put at 15 per cent compared to over 60 per cent for the most popular channels, Al-Arabiya and Al-Jazeera. It only rated single figures for reliability and importance as a source of information. According to the channel's web site, Al-Alam is an "Islamic, international news channel" that is "independent" and "neutral" and is "determined to present precise and comprehensive information about events and developments of the world and region quickly". Managing Director Hasan Beheshtipur said that the purpose of the channel was to present the viewpoints of the Islamic world and "counter the monopolization of news channels by Western countries". Al-Alam's web site at http://www.alalam.ir has extensive news in Arabic on politics, economics, science and technolgy and other topics. It offers live streaming at http://live.irib.ir/alalam.asx and http://www.alalam.ir/livetv.ram Satellite ban Owning a satellite dish was declared illegal in a law passed in 1994. The reformist-dominated Sixth Majlis (2000-2004) adopted a bill to legalize dishes, but it was blocked by the Guardian Council, a body which vets legislation. However, viewing of satellite channels is widespread and largely tolerated by the authorities, despite occasional crackdowns. Former IRIB chief Ali Larijani admitted to reporters in January 2005 that a total ban was unrealistic. At around the same time, there were reports that the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance was considering a proposal to allow foreign-based Persian broadcasters to open offices in Iran. An Intermedia survey in February/March 2004 found that 6 per cent of respondents admitted to owning a satellite dish, which it considered to be an undercount. Among the expatriate stations mentioned in the survey were Tapesh, National Iranian Television (NITV), Pars TV and Jaam-e-Jam International. According to the Sharq daily newspaper in May 2004, a Culture Ministry survey in Tehran showed that over 70 per cent of respondents watched satellite programmes from abroad (although only 10 per cent admitted to doing so at home). However, the Intermedia survey also found that whereas IRIB's four main TV channels had a weekly reach of between 79 and 93 per cent of adults over 15, no expatriate TV had a weekly reach of more than 8 per cent. (Although VOA has claimed that its TV broadcasts in Persian reach 12 per cent of the adult population.) In addition, IRIB TV was seen as the main source of information by 82 per cent of respondents, with no foreign-based channel gaining more than 1 per cent. Persian-language broadcasts from abroad There are some 20 Persian-language TV stations broadcasting on satellite and capable of being seen in Iran. Most of them are based in the Los Ángeles area. The oldest were established in the early 1980s, principally to serve the large expatriate community that developed there after the Iranian revolution. The expansion of satellite broadcasting in the late 1990s brought the realization that there was a much wider potential audience, in the Iranian diaspora and in Iran, and recent years have seen an increase in the number of stations. The potential influence of these stations was noticed in June 2003, when they gave extensive coverage to a wave of student protests in Iran. Shortly after that, and just as VOA launched a daily TV news programme in Persian, the satellite beaming these channels into Iran was subjected to a period of jamming, believed to have emanated from an Iranian diplomatic facility in Havana, Cuba. Although some of the expatriate stations are explicitly political and anti-regime, most of them profess to have no specific political affiliations. This has not stopped allegations that they are secretly funded by Iranian monarchists, US agencies, or even the government in Tehran. One recent development is that some stations, such as Tapesh and Iran TV Network, are said to have started operating partly out of the UAE. They have been seen to carry advertisements from state-run Iranian companies, leading to speculation that they have arrived at some sort of modus vivendi with the Iranian authorities. US-based stations (Except where noted, all these stations are based in the Los Angeles area) National Iranian TV (NITV) http://www.nitv.tv Founded in 2000 and run by former Iranian rock star Zia Atabay. It describes itself as an independent 24-hour Persian TV station aiming to "act as a bridge to relay the voice of Iranians to the world and to build awareness within our community in and outside our homeland". NITV is one of the exile stations credited in the US press with encouraging people onto the streets of Tehran on 11 September 2001, to protest against the attacks on the USA, and during the student protests of June 2003. The programming schedule includes four 30-minute news bulletins and a mix of films, music, serials and chat shows. There is also a programme called Crimes of the Islamic Republic; past programmes have included film allegedly showing interrogations carried out by Iranian intelligence agents, and a satirist impersonating a sex-starved mullah. Press reports say the station is struggling financially, with advertisers reluctant to support it, and it broadcasts appeals to viewers for donations. Atabay said in 2003 that the monthly budget for NITV was around 140,000 dollars: 45,000 dollars for satellite fees; 20,000 dollars for office and studio rental; 40,000 dollars for salaries, and the remainder for incidental expenses. Revenue included 25,000 dollars in subscriptions from American viewers (Iranians with a satellite dish receive the service free), 27,000 dollars from advertising, and 30,000 dollars from commissions on sales of Iranian carpets. Azadi TV (Freedom TV) http://www.azaditv.com Azadi TV closed in early 2005. It was established in September 2001with the aim of promoting democracy, freedom and a secular state in Iran. It broadcast mainly in Persian but had a daily 30-minute programme in English focusing on human rights in Iran. It claimed that some of its news footage was supplied by correspondents operating inside Iran. The station manager was Reza Fazeli, an actor and film director before he left Iran in 1979. His son was killed in a bomb explosion in London in 1986. Owner Fariborz Abbassi said in 2003, when it was reported that the USA might start funding some of the exile stations, that he raised 25,000 dollars a month from individuals in Europe and the US but his costs were over 120,000 dollars. Channel One TV http://www.channelonetv.com Founded by exiled broadcaster Shahram Homayoun (formerly with Azadi TV), who featured in US press articles in 2003 about the student unrest in Tehran. The website has no programming information, just links to Homayoun's personal pro-monarchist website. Homayoun is also associated with Radio Pedar (Father) which broadcasts to Iran on shortwave for one hour a day. Rangarang (Many-coloured) http://www.rangarangtv.com (Virginia-based) It began broadcasting on satellite in mid-2004; before that it had only been available in the Washington D.C. area. Its leading light is Ahura Piruz Khaleghi-Yazdi, an aviation consultant. He attracted attention in September 2004 when he announced that he was about to return to Iran with 50 chartered aircraft and the Islamic Republic would promptly disappear. This drew ridicule from the Iranian media and much of the expatriate community. Both the TV website and Khaleghi-Yazdi's own http://www.ahura.info have archive video clips of his Real World programme, in which he expounds his views on ancient Iranian civilization and Zoroastrianism and takes calls from viewers. XTV http://www.sosiran.com This is a relative newcomer and is the mouthpiece of the Iran of Tomorrow Movement of Iman Foroutan which advocates the non-violent overthrow of the clerical regime and claims to have underground cells inside Iran. The archive video available on the internet mainly offers talks by Foroutan and veteran journalist Homa Ehsan and interviews with monarchist spokesmen, plus listener phone calls. There is also a daily 45-minute radio transmission on shortwave. The remaining stations offer mostly light entertainment programming and have no explicit political affiliations. Tamasha TV (Spectacle) http://www.tamashatv.com Tamasha is described as a general entertainment network that broadcasts documentaries, live talk shows, music videos, news and family programming. Tapesh TV (Persian Broadcasting Company) http://www.tapeshtv.com Launched in 1989 by Alireza Amirghassemi and Masoud Jamali, it went international in 2000 and launched a second channel in January 2005. Scheduling information shows a mix of sports, music, film, serials, lifestyle and talk shows. Surveys have shown that it is one of the most widely watched exile stations within Iran. Jaam-e-Jam International http://www.jaamejamintl.com Established in 1981 by Manouchehr Bibiyan, previously a major music producer in Iran; not to be confused with Iranian state TV's external network of the same name. Programming is a mix of general entertainment, news, films, sports, talk shows and documentaries. Pars TV http://www.parstvnetwork.com Established in 1989 and one of the first to go onto satellite, in 1998. Iran TV Network http://www.irantvnetwork.com Broadcasting since 1982 ITN (as it calls itself) says: "Our programmes deal with everyday events in the entertainment world, music concerts and the latest movie releases both in United States and around the world." Omid-e Iran (Hope of Iran) http://www.oitn.com According to its website, Omid-e-Iran provides 24-hour "news and sports, entertainment and movie, economic, cultural and social-issue programs in both Farsi and English". Appadana TV http://www.appadanatv.com Based in the San Francisco area. CEO and president is Sattar Deldar, "veteran Iranian newsman and hard-hitting commentator". Schedule shows a mixture of lifestyle programmes, films, music and some news bulletins. MTC - Melli (National) TV http://www.mellitv.com An unaffiliated 24-hour station whose aim is "to act as a bridge to relay the voice of Iranians to the world and to build awareness within our community in and outside our homeland". IPN TV International Programming Network http://www.ipntv.com Describes itself as a 24-hour ethnic programming network consisting of "social programming news, comedy shows, music, talk shows, game shows, and award winning movies and documentaries from around the globe". Among other channels available on satellite are PEN (Persian Entertainment Network) TV, Didar Global TV, Iranian Cinema Channel and LA Home and Shopping Entertainment TV. VOA TV Persian http://www.voanews.com Voice of America broadcasts a daily 30-minute news programme called News and Views. The programme length was increased to 60 minutes in the run-up to the June 2005 presidential election. It also broadcasts a weekly 60-minute current affairs programme Next Chapter targeting a younger audience, and Roundtable with You, a weekly 90-minute discussion programme and phone-in simulcast on radio. Europe There are three politically-oriented satellite stations based in or with postal addresses in the UK. Sima-ye Azadi Iran (Vision of Freedom) (http://www.iranntv.com) is the TV of the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization. New Channel TV (http://www.newchannel.tv) is the TV of the Workers' Communist Party of Iran. Ma TV (http://www.anjomane- padeshahi.org) is a forum for the fiercely anti-clerical Foroud Fooladvand, who has been the subject of Iranian protests to the British authorities. One other station worth mentioning is Mohajer International TV http://www.m-itv.com which began broadcasts in 2004. Based in Germany and half-owned by businessman Hassan Aripanahi, it offers a mix of general programming. Aripanahi says he wants to promote Iranian culture for Iranians around the world. Mohajer was given permission by the Ministry of Culture to open an office in Tehran and hoped to produce some programmes in cooperation with state TV. However, the Supreme Cultural Council has objected to its activities. General observations The stations run the range from virtual one-man operations to large, well-staffed organizations. Some of the more overtly political channels are little more than the presenter speaking to a fixed camera positioned in front of a desk. It is not clear how much of the entertainment, if any, is produced in- house. Some of the serials would appear to have been produced in Iran. Although a number of them claim to be 24-hour operations, this is often not reflected in the programming information available. Similarly, a number offer live internet streaming but this is rarely accessible. Many of the websites do not appear to be regularly updated. 4. Radio IRIB operates eight nationwide domestic radio networks, a number of provincial stations and an external service that broadcasts in 29 languages. They are known as the Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran (VIRI). National radio Most channels broadcast round the clock, on FM and MW, with live internet streaming from the IRIB web site at http://live.irib.ir --- archive audio is also available. The Nationwide and Koran channels are also carried on satellite alongside the external TV services. Sarasari (Nationwide) radio, the country's main radio channel Farhang (Culture) radio, which includes live relays from parliament Koran radio - Koranic recitations and interpreations Ma'aref (Islamic culture) broadcasts prayers and programmes on religion and ethics Javan (Youth) radio Varzesh (Sports) radio Payam (Message) radio, said to be one of the most popular stations; broadcasts news, music and traffic information mainly for the Tehran area Salamat (Health) radio, broadcasts on FM only at 0630-1030 gmt Local radio The Tehran Network broadcasts 24 hours on MW and FM. In addition there are studios in 39 centres producing programmes in Farsi and some local languages and dialects, including Azeri, Kurdish and Gilaki. These stations usually broadcast between 0230 and 1630 gmt and relay the Nationwide Network at night. External radio Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran External Service (or World Service) broadcasts in 29 languages. Broadcasts are on satellite, via the internet and on shortwave and mediumwave. Some broadcasts are also available internally on the domestic FM network (100.7 in Tehran). According to the World Radio TV Handbook the languages are: Albanian, Arabic, Armenian, Azeri, Bengali, Bosnian, Dari, English, French, Georgian, German, Hausa, Hebrew, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kazakh, Kurdish, Mandarin, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Tajik, Turkish, Turkmen, Urdu and Uzbek. The service's website http://www.irib.ir/worldservice has no mention of the Azeri, Georgian, Turkmen and Uzbek services The satellite services are listed on the site as IRIB World Service radios 1 to 5, each carrying a number of language broadcasts; not all are carried on all satellites. IRIB Arabic radio is listed as a separate service. The Uzbek, Tajik and Dari services are believed to emanate from the VIRI studios in Mashhad, also known as the Voice of Khorasan. The Turkmen service describes itself as broadcasting from Gorgan, in Golestan Province. The Hebrew service, also known as Voice of David, began broadcasting on 10 June 2002. The English service includes a daily 30-minute [sic] programme called Voice of Justice aimed at North America. The Arabic Service broadcasts round the clock on satellite, MW, SW and FM (for southeast Iraq, Tehran and Qom). It also broadcasts a daily 30-minute programme called Voice of Palestine, Voice of the Palestinian Islamic Revolution. This is directed at Syria, Lebanon and Palestine and focuses exclusively on the Palestinian issue. Voice of the Mujahidin (or Voice of the Iraqi Mojahedin) is the radio station of the Iranian-backed Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI). It began broadcasting in April 2003, opposing the US presence in Iraq and apparently replacing the clandestine Voice of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq. It broadcast on mediumwave and FM frequencies also used by IRIB and on the Hot Bird satellite alongside other IRIB channels. It has not been heard on any frequency since 7 December 2004. Broadcasts into Iran There are a number of international, opposition and expatriate radios broadcasting to Iran, mainly in Persian. International broadcasters include the BBC, VOA, Radio France Internationale, Deutsche Welle, Voice of Israel and Voice of Russia. A relatively recent addition is Radio Farda (Tomorrow), launched in December 2002. Radio Farda is a collaboration between Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Voice of America (VOA). The radio's target audience is listeners under 30, who make up about 70 per cent of Iran's population. Radio Farda broadcasts news, information and entertainment 24 hours a day on satellite, mediumwave and shortwave. A BBC survey in 2004 indicated that it has become the most popular foreign broadcaster, although its weekly audience reach of around 15 per cent is still well short of that of state broadcasting. The Persian-language radio stations based in the USA include KRSI - Radio Voice of Iran, a pro-monarchist station based in Los Angeles and broadcasting on shortwave, satellite and the internet; Radio Yaran, also known as AFN Radio, run by Alireza Meybodi; Radio Azadegan (Free People), a radio supporting the Iran National Front (of the 1950's prime minister Mohammad Mossadeq), broadcasting on satellite, with archive available on the internet; Radio Voice of Women (broadcasting 1 hour a week on shortwave, with internet archive); and the Baha'i radio Payam-e Doost (Message from a Friend) which broadcasts on satellite and shortwave. In addition, Voice of Iran of Tomorrow Movement - associated with XTV - and Radio Pedar (Father) - associated with Channel One TV - have daily 60-minute broadcasts on shortwave. Voice of the Mojahed - the radio of the Iranian opposition Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization - broadcast from Iraq until the overthrow of Saddam Husayn. Broadcasts in Persian can be now be heard via satellite and internet. They also operate Sima-ye Azadi TV. Kurdish and other broadcasts There are a number of clandestine radios broadcasting to Iran on shortwave. Their transmissions are often jammed by the Iranian authorities. The following stations broadcast in Kurdish and Persian: Voice of Iranian Kurdistan is operated by the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, based in Salah al-Din, Iraq; archive audio is available on the internet at http://www.rdki.com Voice of the Struggle of Iranian Kordestan is the radio of the Revolutionary Struggle Organization of Iranian Kurdistan. Voice of Komalah (or Komala) - there are two stations using this name. 1. Voice of Komala representing the Revolutionary Organization of Toilers of Iranian Kurdestan; http://www.komala.org Broadcasts 2 hours a day, plus repeats, with archive available on the internet. 2. Voice of Komala http://www.komalah.org broadcasts weekly via a CIS transmitter and is associated with the Communist Party of Iran. Voice of the Iranian Revolution - broadcasts 1 hour a day in support of the Communist Party of Iran. It shares frequencies with the Voice of the Communist Party of Iran, which broadcasts 1 hour a day in Persian. Voice of the Iranian Nation was first observed in July 2004. It has daily 30-minute broadcasts; its affiliation is unknown. Radio International is the radio of the Workers Communist Party of Iran and associated with the UK-based New Channel TV. There are two radios linked to the Revolutionary Workers Organization of Iran (Rahe Kargar). They broadcast on shortwave until 2003/4 and now offer archive audio on their web sites. They may also broadcast via satellite, but this has not been verified. They are: Radio Barabari (Equality) http://www.radiobarabari.net and Radio Sedaye Kargaran Iran (Voice of the Workers of Iran) http://www.sedayekargaran.com 5. Press Given the lack of real political debate on state-controlled radio and television, the press (and, increasingly, the internet) provides the main forum for _expression of opinion. The press reflects a range of political viewpoints, albeit within the limits allowed by the law and constitution. There are periodic crackdowns on reformist newspapers and journalists seen as taking too many liberties. All publications are required to apply to the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance for a licence and are also subject to the Press Law which, among other things, bans the publication of articles which "violate Islamic principles" or "might damage the foundation of the Islamic Republic". However, although influential among decision-makers, the press is not the main source of news and information for the population as a whole, with under a quarter reading a newspaper on a daily basis. Circulation is said to be declining and publications are suffering from a fall in advertising revenue; newsprint has increased in price and is sometimes in short supply, since most of it is imported. Most daily publications are between 12 and 16 pages. There are some 20 major national dailies which represent various views across the political spectrum. Although many of them have no explicit political affiliations, it has become the practice to describe them as falling within either the conservative or reformist camp. (Note: all circulation figures are unverified, usually the paper's own claim.) Conservative The main conservative dailies are: Keyhan (Universe) One of the country's oldest papers, run by the office of the Supreme Leader, who appoints the managing editor (Hoseyn Shariatmadari). Circulation 60-100,000; read by a conservative, religious audience. It has consistently taken a hard line on domestic and foreign policy issues and published articles about those accused of working for the CIA or other agencies. In April 2005 it changed from afternoon to morning publication, bringing it into line with most other dailies. Keyhan has said it will support the final candidate of the conservative Coordination Council in the presidential election. http://www.kayhannews.ir - pages in .htm format; 12 month archive Resalat (Message) Established in 1985 and owned by the Resalat Foundation, which has strong links to the traditional bazaar merchants - conservative but in favour of a market economy. It reflects the views of the conservative Islamic Coalition Party and the Islamic Association of Engineers. Circulation 30,000-50,000, read by a conservative, religious audience. Managing editor Morteza Nabavi is a member of the Expediency Council. Resalat will support the candidate of the conservative Coordination Council. http://www.resalat-news.com - pages in .pdf format; limited archive Jomhuri-ye Eslami (The Islamic Republic) Ayatollah Ali Khamene'i, Iran's supreme leader, was the first licence holder and the paper is considered to still be closely linked to him. The paper takes the line of adherence to Khomeyni's ideals and has consistently taken a radical position on foreign policy issues and a conservative position on domestic and religious issues. http://www.jomhourieslami.com - pages in .htm format; two-year archive Jaam-e Jam (Jam's Cup or The Crystal Ball) Owned by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. Its circulation of 450,000 makes it the biggest selling paper apart from the sports papers. Editorials and commentaries reflect the conservative approach of the IRIB. http://www.jamejamdaily.net or http://www.jamejamonline.ir The website describes itself as a cyber-newspaper and posts updates throughout the day. It offers a PDF version of the printed paper and a three-year archive. Hamshahri (Fellow citizen) Owned by Tehran Municipality, its politics have changed with the mayoralty. Originally reformist, it became conservative after local elections in 2003. One of the best selling dailies with a circulation of about 350,000. It was the first to print in colour. Hamshahri supports the candidacy of Tehran's mayor, Mahmud Ahmadinezhad. http://www.hamshahri.org (and .net) pages in .htm format with an archive going back to 1996 Seda-ye Edalat (Voice of Justice) Weekly turned daily in 2001. Initially reformist but then turned conservative without explaining why. http://www.sedayedalat.com Siyasat-e Ruz (Politics of the Day) Published by Ali Yusefpur, a member of the Islamic Revolution Devotees' Society. It reflects the views of the younger generation of Iranian conservatives. It changed from weekly to daily publication in 2001. It supports the younger right-wing candidates, Tehran mayor Mahmud Ahmadinezhad and former police chief Baqer Qalibaf. No website. Afarinesh (Creation) Managing editor Abdollah Jasbi is chancellor of the Islamic Azad (Open) University and a member of the conservative Islamic Coalition Association. No website. Qods (Celestial) A Mashhad-based daily published by and representing the views of the administration of the shrine of Imam Reza and the Mashhad seminary. http://www.qudsdaily.com - pages in .htm format; archive inaccessible Hemayat (Support) Conservative paper owned by the Prisons' Organization and reflecting the views of the judiciary. http://www.hemayat.net has both .htm and .pdf pages - archive unavailable Abrar (The Righteous) One of the oldest post-revolution papers, it is an independent conservative daily mainly read by sports fans. http://www.abrar.ir - last updated in December 2004 Reformist The main reformist dailies have all been established in recent years, particularly after the closure of many of their predecessors in 2000 and 2001. Eqbal (Luck) was established in February 2005 to promote the presidential candidacy of Mustafa Mo'in of the Islamic Iran Participation Front http://www.eqbal.ir - pages in .pdf format with archive Aftab-e Yazd (The Sun of Yazd) A regional paper which went national in 2000 (President Mohammed Khatami is from Yazd) as a way to circumvent the closure of other dailies; affiliated with the Militant Clerics Society and aides to Khatami. Circulation 160,000. The paper supports the cnadidacy of former Majlis Speaker Mehdi Karrubi. http://www.aftabyazd.com - the site has .pdf version of pages within frames; archive temporarily unavailable when checked Sharq (East) Reformist weekly that became a daily in 2003. Represents the views of the moderate technocrats typical of the Executives of Construction party. Circulation about 100,000. Sharq supports the candidacy of Expediency Council chairman, and former president, Hashemi-Rafsanjani. http://www.sharghnewspaper.com - pages in .htm and .pdf format; archive from late 2003 Hambastegi (Solidarity) Organ of the Islamic Iran Solidarity Party, one of the pro-Khatami groups. Circulation 120,000. http://www.hambastegidaily.com - pages in .pdf format, three-month archive Mardom Salari (Democracy) Organ of the Mardom Salari Party. Managing editor Mostafa Kavakevian was formerly on the board of Hambastegi and is a presidential candidate. http://www.mardomsalari.com - pages in .pdf format; three-month archive E'temad (Confidence) A moderate reformist daily published by former Iran newspaper editors supervised by a leading member of the Executives of Construction Party. Managing editor Elias Hazrati has left Solidarity and said he is thinking of setting up a new party. The paper has declared in favour of Mehid Karrubi, but many of its journalists support Hashemi-Rafsanjani. http://www.etemaad.com - pages in .asp format, archive back to 2002 Towse'eh A pro-Khatami daily managed by Qoli Sheykhi, who was deputy minister of labour in the second Majlis. No website. Nasim-e Saba (Breeze) Reflects the views of the Militant Clerics Society, of which its proprietor Rasul Montajabnia is a prominent member. http://www.nasimesaba.net (inacessible) Others Ettela'at (Information) Iran's oldest daily, moderate, a newspaper of record; one of its popular features is the obituary section. Circulation 60-90,000. It also publishes an international edition in London and New York with an English section. http://www.ettelaat.com - pages in .pdf format Iran Published by the IRNA news agency, moderately pro-reformist. Circulation of over 100,000; popular with government clerks and office workers. http://www.iran-newspaper.com pages in .htm and .pdf format and a four-year archive Farhang-e Ashti (Culture of reconciliation) Launched in 2003. Pro- reformist but with no specific political affiliation; its main coverage is economic, social and technical issues. http://www.ashtidaily.com - .pdf format; archive available The most widely-read newspapers in Iran, however, are the sports journals. Some two million copies of them are read every day. Their circulation can double after a major football match. The most notable are: Khabar-e Varzeshi (Sports News); Abrar-e Varzeshi (Abrar Sports); Iran-e Varzeshi (Iran Sports); Jahan-e Football (The World of Football), this newspaper, a best-seller, covers only football news. There are three main English-language newspapers: Tehran Times http://www.tehrantimes.com published by the government-run Islamic Propagation Organization; Iran Daily http://www.iran-daily.com published by the official news agency IRNA; and Iran News http://www.irannewsdaily.com 6. News Agencies IRNA Islamic Republic News Agency - the country's official news agency, formerly called Pars, with a history going back to 1934. In addition to Persian, it has news in Arabic, English, Russian, Chinese, French, Spanish and Serbian. http://www.irna.ir The Central News Unit has operated since 1971, primarily to provide news for the radio and television service. It also runs IRIB's news web site at http://www.iribnews.ir A number of new agencies have appeared in recent years, among them: ISNA Iranian Students' News Agency Established in 1999 by officials from University Jihad after the wave of student disturbances. It receives some government funding and has tended to take a pro-Khatami or reformist view of events. http://www.isna.ir Fars News Agency founded by members of the Islamic War Veterans Society with journalists from the conservative Resalat and Javan dailies. Launched in 2002, it considers itself the country's first privately-owned news agency. http://www.farsnews.com Mehr News Agency was launched in 2003. Owned by the Islamic Propagation Organization, an agency of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, its managing director also runs the Tehran Times. http://www.mehrnews.com - pages in Persian, Arabic, English and Urdu. ILNA Iranian Labour News Agency - affiliated with the Labour Higher Education Institute. http://www.ilna.ir Despatches from these agencies are used extensively by the national daily newspapers. All their material is accessible on the internet without registration or subscription. Other agencies include: SYNA Society of Iranian Youth Agency - mainly offering reports on religious, cultural and educational issues. http://www.syna.ir SNN Student News Network is a conservative news website which belongs to university Basij (paramilitary) students. The site offers political commentaries, news and articles supporting the hardline faction of the government. http://www.snn.ir ANA Azad News Agency operated by the Islamic Azad (Open) University http://www.ana.ir - many of its stories are credited to IRIB or foreign agencies. IWNA Iranian Women's News Agency - established in 2001 but did not become active until November 2004. http://www.iwna.ir 7. Internet news sites There are an increasing number of news sites on the internet. Many simply recycle reports from other sources but those listed below appear to have some original content. Many of them do not explicitly state their affiliations or give any organizational information. Some newspapers and journalists affected by the press closures of 2000-2001 took to the internet and then to weblogging, as software to produce Persian-langauge blogs was developed. The official Iranian position on internet access is that only web sites with "pornographic or immoral" content are blocked or filtered. Action against opposition or dissenting sites is sporadic, sometimes against specific sites, sometimes against host servers or ISPs. In summer 2004 a number of sites associated with reformist parties were blocked. In autumn 2004 around 20 journalist webloggers were detained on various charges before being released. Baztab (Reflection) http://www.baztab.com - conservative site run by Mohsen Reza'i, secretary of the Expediency Council and former Islamic Revolutiohn Guards Corps commander. Briefly ordered to close in November 2004, possibly because of its reporting of the nuclear issue. Sharif (Noble) http://www.sharifnews.com - a conservative site which belongs to the Basij (paramilitary) students of Sharif University. Aftab (Sun) http://www.aftabnews.ir - said to be supportive of ex- President Hashemi-Rafsanjani, currently head of the Expediency Council, and also linked with Hasan Rowhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and chief negotiator in the Iran-EU nuclear talks. Hatef (Voice carrying a message) http://www.hatefnews.com - another site that is said to be associated with Rafsanjani. Also has pages in Arabic and links to English-language reports about Iran. Pro-reformist Emrooz (Today) http://www.emrouz.info - a pro-reform news website to which many prominent reformists have contributed; linked with the Islamic Iran Participation Front. It was blocked by the authorities in August 2004 but reappeared in February 2005 with special focus on the presidential election campaign. Rooydad (Happening) http://www.rooydadnews.com - the news website of the pro-reform Islamic Iran Participation Front, offering breaking headlines, analysis and commentary. It was reported to have been blocked in September 2004, and posted updates on a weblog, until it re-emerged in April 2005. Rooz (Day) http://www.roozonline.com - a daily internet newspaper which launched in May 2005. It is produced by "independent reformist journalists supporting freedom and human rights". Some of them are living in exile in Europe and Canada, while other contributors still work in Iran. Iran Press News http://www.iranpressnews.com is a news website that provides up-to-date information on Iran and posts articles critical of government policies. Other web sites Conservative Noghte at http://www.noghte.net is a conservative website that features news, articles and interviews on the current political situation in Iran and throughout the world. Motalefeh (Coalition) http://www.motalefeh.org is a conservative website which belongs to the Islamic Coalition Party. Daricheh http://www.daricheh.org is an ultra-conservative site which belongs to the hardline wing of the clerical establishment. Pro-reform Daneshjooyan http://www.daneshjooyan.org also known as the International Alliance of Iranian Students is a pro-reform student website carrying declarations, current news, articles and critical analysis of Iranian domestic affairs. Asre-nou http://www.asre-nou.net is an independent, pro-reform website focusing primarily on Iranian political developments. Dtnews http://www.dtnews.org is a pro-democracy student website which posts information, news and statements on political events in Iran. Freebatebi http://www.freeatebi.com is a pro-democracy website run by supporters of Ahmad Batebi, a student jailed for 10 years after the protests of July 1999. Roshangari http://www.roshangari.com is a pro-reform website featuring current news, articles, interviews and declarations from student organizations and other special interest groups critical of government policies. Opposition Zagros http://www.zagros.info is an anti-government website which reportedly belongs to the opposition Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO). Peykeiran http://www.peykeiran.com is an anti-government website that features news, articles and declarations critical of government policies. It too is linked with the MKO. Peiknet http://www.peiknet.com is a proreform website that posts information from Iran externally. The site is said to be linked to the Tudeh (Communist) Party. Melli Mazhabi http://www.mellimazhabi.org is an anti-government website which belongs to the nationalist-religious movement. Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy in Iran http://www.daneshjoo.org - an anti-government site that posts reports in English on protests and industrial unrest. Others Gooya (Chat) http://www.gooya.com This is one of the most popular Persian-language portals, with extensive links, including an agreement with the BBC to display headline links and summaries from bbcpersian.com. It produces some original reporting of its own. Stop Censoring Us http://www.stop.censoring.us (in English) This was set up by exiled journalist and blogger Hossein Derakhshan, who was instrumental in the development of blogging in Persian. Although infrequently updated, it documents the Iranian authorities' attempts to harass bloggers and block websites. It also has a link to his own site, http://www.hoder.com, which has his personal reflections on developments in Iran. Iran Scan http://www.iranscan.net Derakhshan is also involved in Iran Scan 1384, an online forum in English in which Iranian pro-democracy journalists and bloggers share their views of developments in the 2005 presidential election campaign. Source: BBC Monitoring research 26 May 05 (via DXLD) ** IRELAND [non]. IRELAND SPEAKING TO THE WORLD Dear Sirs: I have been reading recently of the difficulties caused by the changeover of WorldSpace satellite services to a pay format and its impact on your ability to present Ireland to the world and to the Irish expatriate community. I'd like to add my voice to those urging you to return Ireland to shortwave radio, as you formerly used that medium. While I, myself, am not of Irish descent, I would still be interested in listening to news from an Irish perspective and in hearing entertainment programs and documentaries from Ireland. And, if the prevalence of green that shows up here around St. Patrick's Day is any indication, there are many here in the my region (NOT an area known for an Irish immigrant population) who would also appreciate such an opportunity. The enthusiasm for such communication from Ireland would be even greater in cities with larger Irish communities. Let me suggest a low-cost methodology: you can buy time on existing shortwave broadcast stations, especially those in the United States, at really reasonable prices. Two hours a day on a station like WBCQ in Maine, purchased on a long-term basis, would probably cost only a couple hundred US dollars per day and provide coverage for just about all the United States and Canada, plus overlap into other countries. Your program feeds to their transmitters could use the Internet at minimal cost, and if you are relaying already-produced domestic programming, there would be no additional expenses there. On the receiving side, these domestic US shortwave statons can be easily heard here using relatively inexpensive radios. Other stations in various parts of the world also sell time for you to use to cover other continents reliably; I'm not as familiar with what rates are charged there, but comparably-reasonable prices should be available with a little research. Ireland should restore its shortwave voice to the world; there's no better technology for reaching many people directly at a reasonable cost. Regards, (William Martin, Saint Louis, Missouri USA, May 25, to hearus @ rte.ie and cc to DXLD) ** JORDAN. HCJB now blocking 11690 in English 1300-1500: see ECUADOR ** LIBERIA. Re Star Radio: Glenn, you apparently didn't read the report in the Media Network Weblog, in which I explained: "Darcy Christen, Programme Officer for the Hirondelle Foundation, told Media Network that the shortwave service will start in a few weeks, and airtime is being organised "through a company in the UK." The frequency is not yet known." Their new website has now been activated, though at the moment there is just a single page. http://www.starradio.org.lr/ I am updating the profile GH refers to in the latest DXLD. Will be online later today at http://www2.rnw.nl/rnw/en/features/media/dossiers/liberia-p.html (Andy Sennitt, May 26, dxldyg via DXLD) {correxion from 5-089:} http://www2.rnw.nl/rnw/en/features/media/?view=Standard What frequencies and times will you be on shortwave with Star Radio? (Steve Lare, Holland, MI USA, to Star Radio, via DXLD) Dear Steve, Thanks for your kind message! We've started on 104 FM last night (1 kW), but still need a few weeks to be on SW and actually we do not know the frequency yet as we will be doing it through a company in the UK. Meanwhile, we [are] looking into posting the news scripts on the website. So you may soon find some interesting stuff there. I'll keep you posted. Kind regards, (Darcy Christen, Program Officer, Hirondelle Foundation, via Steve Lare, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Shoulda known with Hirondelle involved --- this will be a LIBERIA [non] on SW. UK company would be VT, or WRN? (gh, DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND. BIRDCALL TO LIVE ON AMID NATIONAL RADIO TINKERING By Claire Trevett http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=6&ObjectID=10127567 The bird call has survived but host Wayne Mowat has been left with a reduced role in changes at National Radio. The changes usher in a new set of afternoon programmes and the extension of Checkpoint - the 5 pm current affairs show hosted by Mary Wilson - to a two-hour show with more business and sport. The threat to the birdcall's future prompted a deluge of listener support. Despite predictions of his downfall, weekday afternoon host Wayne Mowat is to stay on as a contributor to a new weekday regional afternoon show, for which a new presenter will be appointed. His weekday afternoon music show, Wayne's Music, will be relegated to late on weekend nights. The changes follow a six-month review started by chief executive Peter Cavanagh, who said it was time for a stocktake of how well the state radio station was meeting its charter to provide for diversity and be relevant to a broad swathe of New Zealanders. Key morning programmes Morning Report, Nine to Noon, Kim Hill and Chris Laidlaw emerged largely unscathed. Most change was to the afternoon shows. New Zealand music gets a boost - Home Grown is being re-born into a three-hour show on Saturday afternoons. A new books, arts and movies programme will start on Sunday afternoons. Critics have argued that National Radio was dull and needed spicing up for younger listeners. Commentators noted the changes were conservative, but most agreed a complete overhaul would have been dangerous. Geoff Lealand, Waikato University screen and media studies professor and National Radio listener, said National Radio could justifiably argue it was working well as the dominant station in New Zealand. "I do value National Radio but sometimes I want it to surprise me a bit more. I would want to hear some younger, newer voices and see more active provisions to get the younger audience in." AUT radio lecturer Matt Mollgaard said any major changes would have provoked an outcry at the station. "It is still the number one station in New Zealand and its job is not to be flashy and commercially savvy, but to be completely reliable, as well as relevant, which is hard to do." Christchurch Broadcasting School head Paul Norris applauded the decision to set up a more comprehensive web service and the extension of Checkpoint through to 7 pm. National MP Murray McCully, who has frequently argued National Radio was politically biased, said the review seemed to be much ado about nothing."I just find it baffling they could review themselves without coming to the conclusion they have an unremitting left-wing bias being dished up." The changes, which would include a new presenting style, were expected to happen in September, Radio New Zealand said. No staff would lose their jobs. National Radio changes Checkpoint becomes a two-hour show with more business and sport. Wayne Mowat's weekday afternoon music show, Wayne's Music, relegated to late on weekend nights. Morning Report, Nine to Noon, Kim Hill and Chris Laidlaw largely unchanged. New Zealand music show Home Grown now a three-hour show on Saturday afternoons. A new books, arts and movies programme on Sunday afternoons. The birdcall survives (via Brian Smith, ODXA via DXLD) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Wantok Radio 7120 --- This morning, in Victoria, BC, I again set the 7030+ timer on for 0830 to 1030, with the Recall- Pro. Nothing at all at 0830, but within a few minutes started hearing audio. Peak again on the west coast is between 0855 and 0920. No time pips or IS at the TOH, but I thought I might have heard "Wantok Radio" at 1002 or so. Programming is very similar to Christian Voice or HCJB Australia, with lots of chatter and contemporary Christian music. Not in any way like local PNG stations with their Pidgin English and local music. Strength was better than the previous night, and just about at threshold. I think the language was English, but can't be 100% certain. I'm going to continue "taping" this period of time and expect to have more readable audio at some point in the near future. The signal faded out completely by 1000, but I could hear some weak audio again by 1020. I'd love to hear an audio clip from someone closer at 0900 to compare to my clips. Thanks! (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, 25 May 2005, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7120, 0825-1030, Wantok Radio Light, Port Moresby, May 25. First noted fading up above the noise prior to 0830, with contemporary Christian music alternating with talks or devotionals. The signal was still extremely low until past 0930, when it strengthened enough to make out an ID by a male announcer exactly at 0959:38: 'This is Wantok Radio Light, broadcasting to Papua New Guinea on... meterband(?)...'. It took a number of replays of my recording to be certain of the ID, but it is definitely there. At 1000 I heard introductory music and mention of 'Welcome to Focus on the Family... with author and... Dr. James Dobson' at the start of this popular Christian program. It also fits the broadcast schedule at http://www.wantokradio.net which shows Focus on the Family at 7-7:30 pm local Port Moresby time. Very pleased with this definite log of this new PNG outlet! I also received an e-mail from Dave Olson, engineer at the station, who said that the 'Bird of Paradise' call I heard at 1101 on 5/23 is actually a warbling siren at the beginning of their Monday evening program 'Community Policing'. (Guy Atkins, Puyallup, WA USA, mod. ICOM IC-756Pro & mod. ICOM R-75 Kiwa MAP / ERGO 450 & 700 ft. Beverage Antennas, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7120 kHz, BIG signal right now 0728 UT 26 May, just came on with ID 0729 "we want to thank you for listening to Wantok Radio Light" and then back to HCJB programming past 0730. S9+ 10 both on the log periodic and the 3 el 40m yagi. Just copyable on the K9AY loop, a little better on the western beverage. Loggings from (Don Moman, Lamont, Alberta CANADA, 53 44N 112 50W, Ant: 4-30 MHz rotatable HF log Periodic at 30m, assorted beverages; Receivers: ICOM 756 PRO III, Collins HF-2050, ICOM R8500, HCDX via DXLD) HCJB programming? You mean // HCJB-Australia? (gh) Just one of many IDs, still good past 0830. 73 (Don VE6JY Moman, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Tnx for 10-second clip; ha! Sez 7120 kHz ``on the 40-meter band``. Must think they are a ham station. BTW, K-index was 0 at 0900 (gh, DXLD) Quite loud here on the North Coast, but a lot of Summer type static. I am using the R8/EWE combo. Peaks at S5-S8. Anyone know the power? Sounds at least 10 KW. 73s, (Patrick Martin, Seaside OR, ibid.) Supposedly 1 kW Patrick, Wantok Radio Light's power is 1 kW into a NVIS antenna that is "supposed" to restrain most of the energy for local coverage, and reduce the skywave propagation. I have a PDF signal coverage map that was sent to me by the engineer at Wantok Radio, and it shows the signal dropping to "< 20 dBu" just past the Solomon Islands. I'm surprised you are hearing the station at S5-S8, as I'm not that much further away from the transmitter than you are, and I've been hearing signal barely above threshold with my Beverage antenna aimed right at Port Moresby (265 degrees). Perhaps sea gain (the coastal effect) does have an effect on the higher bands (Guy Atkins, Puyallup, WA, HCDX via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. 12065, R. Tikhiy Okean, May 22 through 26, *0835-0900*, Russian programming, many IDs for `Radiostantsiya Tikhiy Okean,` seems to be mostly news items and usually plays some nice Russian music and folk songs. Fair-good. The sign-on announcement is not the nice one they used in tests last Oct, that had Morse Code (CW), sound of seagulls and ships bell (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, NRD545, with T2FD antenna, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Good morning Glenn, For your information. This just in: VOR, effective 25 May 2005, 0100-0500 UT, Drop 17660 (Vladivostok), Add 15555 kHz ([site] not listed) Regards (George J. Poppin, San Francisco, May 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RWANDA. The only listenable signal on 13m, May 26 at 1325, was 21665, with hi-life music, but mostly talk in unID language. Finally before 1350* giveaway DW theme music. This is via Rwanda, Hausa per sked, a language I still have trouble recognizing. Wonder if there are some key common words to listen out for? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [non]. Hi Glenn: Reception was very good last night specially on the 25 mb. giving the sensation we were at the peak of a solar cycle. For the first time I got a real decent signal of Sudan Radio Service, 45444 at 0440. They were playing a very attractive sort of Horn of Africa Soul music. Next came the male announcer giving some tips about HIV prevention, another vernacular tune cut in the middle when English service was closed in favor of Arabic-Yuba at 0444(?). Receiver 7600 GR with 8 meters Inverted V, pointing E/W (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, dxldyg via DXLD) WTFK? Presumably 11665 via Rampisham UK as scheduled 0300-0500, right? (Glenn, ibid.) See also PROPAGATION at bottom ** TAIWAN. Re 5-087 with Venezuela, Please apologize for wrong info typed in my previous email; i.e. B04 instead of A04. Best 73, (Tony Ashar, Indonesia, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K [and non]. Re BBC FOOC Segment --- One way that the USA's NPR, Radio Netherlands', and Radio Australia's "Asia Pacific" websites outshine the BBC website is the availability of individual stories after their initial airing. There are "featurettes" in NewsHour and World Today that ought to be kept available as reference / background features for later use. Archives are available for Radio 4's "Crossing Continents" that go way back, but I agree this should be a capability of the FooC website as well. Radio Netherlands' Jonathan Marks felt strongly that the capability to find relevant audio programming while doing a subject-oriented search should be a key component of radio broadcasters' websites. Keep the pressure on 'em -- this would help them make the BBC News website more useful (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA, swprogams via DXLD) ** U S A. Re WWCR better on 5070 or 5765? Glenn, I always hear them on 5070, during our early evening, but 5770 might be a little quieter! Another one, where they absolutely boom in, is during our morning periods on 15825 1500-2200, and they would be good past that time in that band. 5070 is just OK, 5770 should be better, but, they will need to engineer the signal more in this direction, to counteract any noise (atmospheric, etc.), as the signal level is a little down in our evenings. We do hear a lot of stations from the USA in our morning periods (1500-0000), beaming via Africa, especially in the 15 MHz band, much, much clearer than the evenings! 73 (Tim Gaynor, Gold Coast City, Q, Australia, ripple via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. AXED RADIO HOST SUES LEFTY STATION --- By DAREH GREGORIAN http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/47121.htm May 24, 2005 -- A former Air America talk-show host claims the lefty radio network isn't very liberal with money. In papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, Lizz Winstead says she was fired, then stiffed out of nearly $300,000. The suit says Winstead, best known as co-creator of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," started at AAR on Aug. 1, 2003, as "the first creative and third employee overall hired" and became its "principal developer" of programming and co-host of the show "Unfiltered." The suit puts her salary at $250,000 a year but says AAR owner Piquant LLC owes her about $200,000 for on-air work from May 2004 to March 4, when she was fired. She's suing for that $200,000 plus $83,333 in severance pay, $14,423.08 in unused vacation time and $5,960.55 that she says the network pocketed from her on-air ads for the Vermont Teddy Bear Company. Winstead left without fanfare. Days later, AAR issued a statement saying it was taking the show in "a different direction." Her departure from "The Daily Show" was louder, following crude remarks made about her by then-host Craig Kilborn in a magazine interview. A spokesman said Air America "does not comment on litigation." (NY Post via Brock Whaley, Sheldon Harvey, DXLD) ** U S A. US RADIO DJ WINS 10.6 MILLION DOLLARS IN STINK OVER PERFUME Tue May 24, 1:20 PM ET http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050524/od_afp/afpentertainmentus_050524172043 CHICAGO (AFP) - A Detroit radio DJ was awarded 10.6 million dollars this week because she was fired for complaining about a co-worker's perfume. Former top-ranked radio host Erin Weber said exposure to Lancome's Tresor perfume caused her to lose her voice and take lengthy absences from work, the Detroit News reported. She also said she once "felt an electric shock quell through my entire body" and required heavy medication to combat the effects. A jury of six women deliberated for eight days before awarding Weber 1.6 million dollars Monday for past and future compensation, seven million dollars in punitive damages and two million dollars for mental anguish and emotional distress. "I'm thankful that the jury took so much time to come to the right conclusion," Weber, 43, told the Detroit News after the verdict. "It's a great day." A short time after Weber began working at the country music station in March 1999, co-workers spilled nail polish remover in the studio, which she claims caused "raw chemical burns" to her airways and sinuses. Weber also complained frequently to the station's management about a co-worker's perfume. The station ordered the woman to stop wearing perfume and even modified Weber's schedule so they wouldn't come into contact with each other during shift changes, but Weber said the woman would deliberately seek her out to envelop her in a cloud of perfume. The 26-year radio veteran took three months off for medical reasons in late 2000 and then filed a discrimination suit against the station in 2001. Weber, who was nominated five times for the Country Music Assocation's Personality of the Year award, claimed the station paid her far less than her male co-workers. The station then retaliated, she said, by taking away an endorsement deal, removing her e-mail account and assigning her a new shift. Weber was fired in September 2001. A spokeswoman for Infinity Broadcasting, which owns the station, said the company planned to appeal. "We're disappointed in the verdict and intend to make all the appropriate post-trial motions," Karen Mateo told the Detroit News. Mateo also said the company's lawyers believe the seven million dollars in punitive damages will be reduced to 300,000 dollars, the cap generally set by federal law for the claims that Weber brought (via Sheldon Harvey, DXLD) ** U S A. Sounds Of Silence --- By KURT LOFT -- May 26, 2005 http://www.tampatrib.com/FloridaMetro/MGB2Q09E69E.html TAMPA - A late-night legacy is about to end. For the past 15 years, an old- school jazzman has given his all to anyone willing to hang around the midnight hour and listen. Sitting at a microphone at WUSF, 89.7 FM, Larry Martin talks the talk of an erstwhile era in American music, when songs truly were golden and bands played big and brassy. On Friday, Martin says goodbye. Host of the grass- roots ``Jazz Legacy,'' the 76- year-old devotee of Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton and the swing era signs on the air for the last time. ``I'll have a lot of big feelings,'' Martin said. ``But I'm tired. Now I can sit back and enjoy listening to jazz for pleasure.'' During his two-hour broadcasts, Martin makes his love for early jazz palpable to listeners in the Tampa Bay area and Sarasota. He calls himself a ``moldy fig,'' a person who listens to jazz from before 1940, although he occasionally dips into the modern world of the 1950s. With his resonant baritone and encyclopedic knowledge, he has turned the show into an entertaining history lesson that cuts across age barriers. ``For a long time, most of my listeners were elderly people,'' he said. ``Now I get calls from young people.'' The end of ``Jazz Legacy'' represents more than just another radio show leaving the air. Martin is local, and his program is a bona fide Tampa product. Replacing it at 11 p.m. [EDT = UT -4] will be ``Jazz at Lincoln Center,'' a syndicated production out of New York. The award- winning show is broadcast weekly to 240 public radio affiliates. WUSF officials say they will miss Martin, but they aren't going corporate in their programming. ``It doesn't represent a trend in our part of the broadcast world,'' said Bob Seymour, the station's jazz director. ``There's no replacing Larry Martin, but I think we remain the bastion of creative, local programming.'' Look Back In Time Martin expects his final, live show to be bittersweet. He will air some personal favorites, including seminal recordings such as Bix Beiderbecke's ``Singing the Blues'' from 1927; Benny Goodman's ``King Porter Stomp'' from 1935; and Duke Ellington's 1940 classic ``Cottontail.'' He said Friday will be his most difficult hours on the air since 1990, when it all began. ``I'll miss the joy of sharing,'' he said. ``I'll miss the people who call in.'' Hilda Claus, a longtime listener in St. Petersburg, laments the loss of her favorite radio program. ``I've had the privilege to listen for all of the show's 15 years and never missed it,'' she said. ``The research he's done on the pioneers of jazz is exemplary. He makes people realize what a wonderful legacy we have in jazz.'' The music in Martin's library - about 1,800 78 rpms, LPs, CDs and cassettes - represents an iconic period in the musical culture of the United States. Yet, much of this music is not fully appreciated by younger generations. ``No one plays this kind of music anymore,'' said Jean Martin, his wife of 53 years. Martin's legacy, then, is helping bring this part of Americana back to life, Seymour said. ``It occurred to me long ago that I never heard Larry's show without learning something about jazz,'' he said. ``I've always appreciated the breadth of his approach.'' Martin's breadth of knowledge goes beyond radio. He continues to conduct outreach programs at the University of South Florida, home of the National Public Radio station. Martin teaches jazz courses at USF's School of Continuing Education and has offered jazz lectures at The Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and Polk County Art Museum. Jazz is in Martin's blood, and as a teenager he immersed himself in the music scene of his native Chicago. Buying records became an obsession. ``I started collecting when I was 13 or 14,'' he said. ``My first 78 rpm was the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, made in 1917. It was the first jazz recording. I used to save pennies and buy records wherever I could.'' Martin's career in magazine publishing allowed him to move around and explore the music of different cities, including the riches of New Orleans. In the 1970s, the Martins moved to Dallas, where he landed a half-hour radio show and perfected his craft. After relocating to Tampa in 1987, Martin proposed a jazz show for WUSF and gave Seymour a sample tape from the Dallas years. Impressed, Seymour offered him a time slot with creative license. ``Jazz Legacy'' hasn't been all Larry Martin, though. Since the show's inception, Jean has accompanied her husband to the studio, helping with technical details, making coffee and taping the show. Martin later listens to the tapes, scrutinizing his performances. He would never think of doing ``Legacy'' without her. Hours Take Toll ``We do everything together,'' Martin said. ``That's one reason we've been married 53 years.'' The research and late nights have taken their toll. After each show, the couple get home at 2 a.m., and it often takes a day to recover. ``It's begun to take the fun out of the music for me because I'm always planning music for the next show,'' Martin said. ``It's time to hang it up.'' What does an aging jazzman do at the end of a career? He turns off the microphone, thanks his wife with a kiss, and thinks of something he'd like more than a Cole Porter tune: ``Sleep.'' (via Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, DXLD) ** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. Re 7466: I'm listening to it as I write, and they are luckily without QRM: QSA peaking S9+25dB, some QSB, almost no QRN. QRM will occur again later and in force. The parallel 700 kHz should be fading in much later, though some (little) time before sunset here (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, 1753 UT May 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [Later:] Good afternoon, Glenn. Given the most recently frequency change (7460 to 7466), I observed the Polisario Front yesterday, 25/5, at the time they usually start the Castilian program, i.e. 2300, but they just kept airing in Arabic, which, after all, is not that unusual to happen either; all I had wanted to listen to at the start of the Castilian program was the usual frequency announcement and see whether they are still mistakenly announcing 1550 (not 1566 as I incorrectly referred to the other day, so my apologies) and 7470. By the way, 7466 was actually fair~good yesterday, 25, but 700 kHz seemed weaker than usual and with longer, deep fades, even if getting almost no adjacent QRM this time. I still believe 700 kHz does not emanate from the same site using 1550 kHz - which is thought to be Tindouf, Algeria -, but some RTA site a little bit eastwards; this is what my directional Ewe and K9AY "tell" me, but I may be completely wrong (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, May 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ DAYTON HAMVENTION: UNCERTAINTY, TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL VIABILITY ISSUES CONFRONT BPL, FCC STAFFER SAYS http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/05/25/1/?nc=1 NEWINGTON, CT, May 25, 2005 --- FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau staff member Bill Cross, W3TN, told the FCC Forum at Dayton Hamvention May 21 that there`s ``still a lot of uncertainty surrounding BPL --- its technical and financial viability, where, how and if it will fit into the communications future.`` Cross works in the WTB`s Public Safety and Critical Infrastructure Division, and much of his work directly involves the Amateur Radio Service. Devoting nearly a quarter of his remarks to the standing-room-only audience to BPL, Cross discussed various aspects of the FCC`s October 14, 2004, Report and Order in ET Docket 04-37. The R&O established new Part 15 rules to implement BPL systems. Cross said the Commission`s expressed a lot of ``potentials`` and ``coulds`` in outlining its rational for promoting BPL as another competing broadband pipeline. ``Whether BPL catches on will be a decision made by economics, both for those who want to provide the service and consumers who have to decide it is better for them than other broadband services,`` Cross said. He also said the FCC recognizes BPL`s potential to interfere with Amateur Radio and other radio services. ``Also note that BPL is coming on the scene, at best, as the fifth player in a field already crowded with heavy hitters,`` he said. ``Currently we have cable, satellite, non-satellite wireless broadband and telephone lines available and providing broadband service.`` Cross said telephone companies already are looking at installing fiber optic cable to the home to expand available bandwidth for consumers. At the same time, he said, cable companies ``have been spending gazillions of dollars upgrading their systems to digital systems so they can provide services other than traditional TV service.`` Citing the current heavy level of advertising and even price-cutting by industry players for a bigger piece of a ``fixed pot of dollars,`` Cross asked, ``Where does BPL fit in?`` Cross said he didn`t believe anyone was now getting a barrage of offers for BPL-provided services. ``Nor will we be anytime soon, from what I have read in the communications press.`` Cross pointed out that FCC Part 15 rules require that licensed radio services such as Amateur Radio must be protected from harmful interference. He also noted that the FCC was careful to carve out reservations and set specific prohibitions regarding BPL deployment on certain parts of the spectrum allocated to federal government users, in addition to imposing some strict requirements to mitigate interference. ``You wonder, with all these restrictions --- including some that prohibit BPL deployment in what appear to be very profitable areas --- a reasonable question might be, ``Who would want to go into this business?`` The current tug of war, he said, is between the three or four companies interested in BPL --- who want less onerous restrictions --- and the ARRL and other users who don`t believe the restrictions go far enough. Both sides have filed petitions for reconsideration. ``Those petitions are pending, and whatever is decided on them will affect the final rules for BPL and may very well affect its viability,`` Cross concluded. The FCC`s Cross told the FCC Forum that radio amateurs can expect a Notice of Proposed Rule Making on the Morse code and license restructuring issues by this summer or this fall. A comment period will follow. A Report and Order in the proceeding is likely sometime in 2006. Amateur Radio Proceedings Regarding Amateur Radio proceedings now before the Commission, Cross was unable to pin down for FCC Forum attendees when they might expect to see a Notice of Proposed Rule Making in response to 18 petitions for rule making filed by ARRL, other Amateur Radio organizations and individual licensees. The primary hot-button issue in that proceeding is the future of the Morse code requirement for access to HF amateur bands. The FCC also is considering proposals to create a new entry- level license class and to implement some additional Amateur Radio license restructuring, including automatic upgrades from Technician to General and Advanced to Extra. Cross said he anticipates the FCC will combine the 18 petitions into one NPRM and invite another round of comments from the amateur community. ``I suspect the proposed rule making will be coming out in late summer or this fall,`` Cross said. The comment period could extend into early 2006, he added, after which a Report and Order would be written. The amateur community also can expect a Report and Order as a follow- up to its April 2004 NPRM in WT Docket 04-140, Cross said. The main proposal in that proceeding --- ARRL`s so-called ``Novice Refarming`` plan --- would eliminate the Novice/Tech Plus CW bands and use that spectrum to expand portions of the 80, 40 and 15 meter bands. Current Novice and Tech Plus licensees would get CW privileges in the current General CW bands. Cross said commenters generally seem to support the proposal, although he cited requests to establish even wider phone bands, ``particularly in the 75-meter band.`` Among other issues, the FCC also has proposed in the same proceeding to essentially do away with its rules prohibiting the manufacture and marketing to Amateur Radio operators of amplifiers capable of operation on 12 and 10 meters. That`s something the amateur community really liked, he said. Copyright © 2005, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved (via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ It`s that time of year, within a month of the Summer Solstice, when we find high bands such as 16m open late at night. At 0530 UT May 26, 17 MHz was hopping with signals, many of them I suspect from China, such as CRI in German. Probably a lot like what would be heard in western Europe after local sunrise. There was even a weak one on 19010 which could only be transpolar IBB Sri Lanka aimed at Afghanistan. This is because the further north you go, the more light there is as the Midnight Sun is shining, so high-latitude or trans-polar paths have the ionization necessary to sustain such high frequencies at ``night``. Nothing audible then on 13m, however, but it could happen (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###