News
In Germany, right-wing parties repeatedly attack community radios
photo by: Ralf Roletschek In recent years, the attacks from the right on community radios and free radios have increased but changed their modus operandi. While a few years ago leading figures of right-wing parties took legal action against reporting by community radios (e.g. against Radio Dreyeckland, Freiburg or Radio Frei, Erfurt), the strategy has now shifted by the right… read more
AMARC Europe on Press Freedom Day: Public access to the creation of and access to information is a key human right
Every year, 3rd of May is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom, to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. AMARC Europe wants to use this 3rd May 2021 as a… read more
Spanish State: Forty-five years of Community Radio, a key moment for legal recognition.
Citizen participation, social benefit, educational role … These are some of the key values of free or community media. We are talking mainly about a community media movement which has been active for decades in our country. In fact, the first documented experiences of this type of radio date back to 1976, now 45 years ago. The fight for… read more
Open online Course on International Standards on Freedom of Expression and the Safety of Journalists
UNESCO and the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights of the University of Oxford will soon be launching a global Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for judicial actors, to promote international and regional standards on freedom of expression and the safety of journalists. This free, five-week online course will run from the weeks of the 10 May until the 07 June 2021, with the possibility of… read more
[UNESCO Chair Community Media]Global Dialogues on Community Media in the Post-Pandemic World
If you missed the Global Dialogues on Community Media in the Post-Pandemic World that took place during the summer of 2020, you can now revisit the discussions (see below). The meetings were curated & hosted by UNESCO Chair on Community Media Dr. Vinod Pavarala. Global Dialogues, Community Media in the Post-Pandemic World 8. Community is the Answer: Community Radio in Continental… read more
Edison Lanza: en Guatemala debería existir mecanismo diferenciado para que medios indígenas accedan a frecuencias de radio
El Relator Especial para la Libertad de Expresión de la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH), Edison Lanza, aseguró que la subasta económica no puede ser el único criterio de acceso a las frecuencias de radiodifusión y que debería existir un mecanismo diferenciado para que los medios indígenas puedan expresar su derecho a expresarse. Como hemos publicado en OBSERVACOM, este año la… read more
[UNESCO] World Press Freedom Conference 9 & 10 December 2020
World Press Freedom Conference (WPFC) will take place on 9 and 10 December 2020 in a new, innovative format, merging digital and in-person elements. This WPFC will jointly celebrate World Press Freedom Day (3 May) and the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (2 November). The conference, co-hosted by UNESCO and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, was originally planned for… read more
Ministro de Gobierno de Bolivia llamó a clausurar medios comunitarios por su línea editorial
Arturo Murillo, ministro de Gobierno de Bolivia, dijo que los medios comunitarios deberían clausurarse. Acusó a Evo Morales de haber incitado, a través del medio comunitario Radio Kausachun Coca (RKC), a la destrucción de antenas de telecomunicaciones en Santa Cruz, fomentando actitudes de violencia y terrorismo. “La vía que utilizan para esto son los comunicados mediante Kawsachun Coca, por las radios… read more
UNESCO y gobierno de México suman esfuerzos para desarrollar políticas públicas para fortalecer a radios comunitarias e indígenas
El gobierno de México y la oficina local de UNESCO crearon un Equipo Consultivo Nacional para desarrollar una política de fortalecimiento para radios comunitarias e indígenas en el país. El proyecto se centrará en los aspectos legales (para favorecer la constitución de este tipo de radios pero también crear nuevos marcos normativos), económicos (sustentabilidad de las emisoras), y producción de contenidos para favorecer… read more
Grassroots Project: Happy birthday, Radio Civic!
We are very happy and proud to celebrate one year of life of Radio Civic, the community radio born in Romania thanks to the energies generated by the Grassroots Radio project. It’s been a year since the first shows, rhythms, news were broadcast on the radio: “I’m Mira, from Radio Civic and I’m presenting the interview with .…” “I’m Jean Trofimov, from Civic Radio… read more
Soundroutes: WORLD REFUGEE DAY 2020″: Every Action Counts
Soundroutes project: A special radio and web streaming marathon with refugee artists from four different countries in Europe The COVID-19 pandemic and the recent anti-racism protests have shown us how desperately we need to fight for a more inclusive and equal world: a world where no one is left behind. It has never been clearer that all of us have a… read more
UNIKOM, Swiss Community Radios on DAB+
Le 10 juin, l\’assemblée générale de l\’UNIKOM a élu un nouveau comité d\’administration, qui tient également compte des intérêts commerciaux résultant de l\’expansion de l\’association. Expansion de l\’associationLors de l\’Assemblée générale de 2017, l\’ouverture de l’UNIKOM pour les nouvelles radios DAB+ a été décidée. Un an plus tard, un groupe de \”radios annoncées\” et un groupe de \”radios complémentaires\” ont été… read more
SONOHR: OPEN CALL FOR “(AUDIO) MOVES”
Movement is visible, palpable, a full-body experience. Movement is political, artistic, social. We look to movement to relax and we get uneasy when our world of movement is restricted. Where does the power to move come from? And what about the power to stand still? How do we feel when our freedom of movement is indefinitely restricted? Or when… read more
Medios comunitarios exigen ampliación de plazos para participar del concurso de frecuencias de radio en Ecuador
La Coalición de Medios Comunitarios y la Fundación El Churo Comunicación, junto a organizaciones de sociedad civil y derechos humanos de Ecuador, demandan la extensión de plazos para poder participar del llamado a concurso para el acceso a frecuencias de radio en todo el país. “Solicitamos extender el plazo de presentación de la documentación para medios comunitarios al menos un mes… read more
Audio Statement Radio d’Ici on the 10 May 2020 Attack
AMARC has received the information that on Sunday 10th May 2020 a group of masked persons have violently forced their way into the premises of Radio d’Ici, the local community radio station and long-term AMARC member, in Saint-Julien-Molin-Molette, Department Loire, France. During the attack the studio was vandalised, and fascist and white supremacist symbols were painted on the walls and… read more
AMARC condemns the Fascist Attack on our Member in France
AMARC has received the information that on Sunday 10th May 2020 a group of masked persons have violently forced their way into the premises of Radio d\’Ici, the local community radio station and long-term AMARC member, in Saint-Julien-Molin-Molette, Department Loire, France. During the attack the studio was vandalised, and fascist and white supremacist symbols were painted on the walls and… read more
[Covid19] UN Women delivers lifeline support to women’s and grassroots organizations for COVID-19 response
[Press Release] UN Women delivers lifeline… read more
Soundroutes Band produces Video!
The Soundroutes band is a project of de Koer as part of a European partnership and a Creative Europe project Soundroutes. AMARC Europe is partner in this project and you can find all the project details here. Five musicians with diverse cultural backgrounds share the stage. Melodies from Syria, Belgium, Afghanistan, Marrocco, Bulgaria, klezmer, and more. Line-up: Gergana Velikova… read more
AMARC Europe signs Emergency Appeal for World Press Freedom Day 2020
On this World Press Freedom Day, the undersigned organisations honour those who work tirelessly to help keep the public informed and call for robust support for independent journalism. Millions of people around the world are looking for reliable, fact-based, and gender-sensitive journalism that can help them navigate the biggest shared challenge of our lifetime. The need for trustworthy information has… read more
[Covid19] UN Women: COVID-19 Gender Update
COVID-19 Gender Update: #HeForSheAtHome campaign, gender… read more
Joint civil society organisation recommendations: From blueprint to footprint: Safeguarding media freedom and pluralism through the European Rule of Law Mechanism
The launch of the European Rule of Law Mechanism in July 2019 marks the renewed opportunity for the European Union (EU) to uphold democracy and overcome the limits of the Article 7 procedure. Among the proposed actions, the announcement by the European Commission Vice President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová of a dedicated chapter to media freedom and pluralism… read more
#CoronaUndWir – gemeinsam durch die Krise!
Auf unseren letztwöchigen persönlichen Aufruf, uns Stimmen aus der Quarantäne bzw. dem Ausnahmezustand zu schicken, haben uns schon einige Nachrichten aus der ganzen Welt erreicht – egal ob Tasmanien oder Finnland, USA oder Spanien: Die Krise verbindet und wir finden ähnliche Wege, damit umzugehen. Ein paar Stimmen waren am Donnerstag im Infomagazin FROzine zu hören, bzw. hier: https://www.fro.at/corona-wir-die-welt-ist-ein-dorf/ Wir erneuern unseren Aufruf… read more
[Covid19] Bangladesh: EXPERIENCES ABOUT COVID-19 COMMUNITY BROADCASTING IN BANGLADESH
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication(BNNRC) has been mobilizing all community radios for developing and broadcasting awareness building programs on COVID-19: Coronavirus contamination to protect lives and livelihoods since March 1, 2020 in Bangladesh. Programmatic interventions in response to COVID-19: The COVID -19 demands cooperation among government, CSOs, local business communities, multi-stakeholders. BNNRC are continuing work 24×7 to reach rural… read more
AMARC Europe: Become a member now!
AMARC Europe is the membership organization serving the community radio movement across Europe. The political representation of this broadcasting sector is the driving principle of our initiatives and actions. A stronger network means more impact. With your AMARC membership fees you join over 300 community radio stations and federations in over 20 European countries and over 3.000 AMARC members worldwide… read more
[Covid19] Germany: Radio Dreyeckland: Free Radio in the Corona Crisis
Die Covid-19 Pandemie ist fürchterlich und fordert weltweit immer mehr Opfer. Gerade weil viele Menschen jetzt zuhause sind, wollen wir Euch weiterhin spannendes Radioprogramm bieten. Trotzdem kann es sein, dass es Sendeausfälle gibt und ihr stattdessen eine Playlist hört. Unter den Tags covid-19 und corona könnt ihr bei uns zahlreiche Beiträge zur Coronakrise hören. Kontaktiert uns, wenn ihr trotz unzureichender Schutzmaßnahmen arbeiten müsst; wenn die Polizei… read more
[Covid19] CPJ – Committee to Protect Journalists: Multilingual Resources & Safety Advisory for Covering Covid19
CPJ’s safety experts provide information and support to all journalists, including freelancers and media workers, around the world. They host free, expert, information sessions with individual journalists or newsrooms on risk assessment, physical safety and digital security. If you, a colleague, or your news organization has a safety-related question and would like to work with a CPJ expert, please complete one of… read more
[Covid19] Switzerland: Radio Lora – CoLoRa Info: multilingual info program on Covid19
Wir nehmen unseren Informationsauftrag gerade in dieser Situation sehr ernst, denn eine solidarische und gesellschaftskritische Begleitung dieser Pandemie erscheint uns politisch unerlässlich. Erste Priorität hatte darum das CoLoRa Info mit aktuellen Informationen auf verschiedenen Sprachen (s.u.) Unser Ziel ist, die Leute zu Hause von morgens bis abends zu begleiten. Vielsprachig und vielstimmig, wie ihr es von Radio LoRa kennt. Bleibt gesund –… read more
[Covid19] Spain: ReMC – Las radios comunitarias se unen 2 horas para darle la vuelta a la epidemia
¿Qué está haciendo la gente en sus barrios para luchar contra el virus y sus consecuencias sociales? ¿Qué piden a las administraciones públicas? Las emisoras de radio comunitarias de la ReMC emiten en red un programa especial de 2 horas este domingo 29 de marzo, entre las 11 y las 13.00. Así será” El otro coronavirus”. Escucha el programa pulsando… read more
[Covid19] Slovenia: Radio Student has started a program collection on #Covid19
Radio Student in Ljubljana/Slovenia has dedicated a program and report collection to coverage of Covid19 You can access the program collection via their website here
[Covid19] France: Message des co-présidents de la CNRA
Bonjour à tous et toutes, Nous vous rappelons ci-dessous les nouvelles consignes qui sont à appliquer dès aujourd’hui, suite aux directives du gouvernement. Nous vous demandons de bien respecter celles-ci et d’organiser la continuité de votre antenne tout en aménageant votre grille dans cette situation exceptionnelle. Il reste important d’assurer la continuité de l’information locale, rôle primordiale des radios associatives mais en cohérence avec… read more
[Covid19] Article19: Policy Briefing “Viral Lies: Misinformation and the Coronavirus”
In the past three months, COVID-19, the disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus, has exploded across the globe. The spread of the virus has been matched by the proliferation of Freedom of expression has been one of the casualties of the epidemic, as some governments have used censorship, arrests and the application of repressive laws to address… read more
[Covid19] Austria: Orange 94,0 in Vienna produces multi-lingual information on Covid19
Orange 94.0 produced a clip which includes tips for avoiding corona virus infection in Arabic, Farsi, Russian, Turkish, English, Bosnian, Slovenian and Spanish
[Covid19] Reporters Without Border: #Tracker_19 – Live updates of Covid19 impacts on press freedom
Launched by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), “Tracker 19” is a tool made for an unprecedented global crisis. So named in reference not only to Covid-19 but also article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this project aims to evaluate the pandemic’s impacts on journalism. It will document state censorship and deliberate disinformation, and their impact on the… read more
[Covid19] UNESCO: Audio resources to counter disinformation during Covid19
UNESCO and radio stations mobilized to fight against COVID-19 To contribute to countering disinformation on COVID-19 and promoting healthy behaviours, UNESCO has produced a series of audio messages that can be freely used by radio stations from around the world. UNESCO is making these resources available to help stop the harm caused by the so called “info-demic” accompanying the virus…. read more
[Covid19] Austria: Radio Helsinki starts program “FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions: The daily Corona Update”
Starting Monday, 16.3, Radio Helsinki in Graz/Austria is providing daily information on the Covid19 situation in Austria. They are responding to current information from the federal government and fight against fake news (e.g. from social media), authoritarian tendencies and also panic. Radio Helsinki states: “It is our concern to counteract the effects of drastic restrictions on freedom of movement and possible isolation.” Listen to the… read more
[Covid19] UNESCO Resource Centre: Information Sharing and Countering Disinformation
Freedom of expression, access to information – notably on public health -, and quality news coverage are essential to face the unprecedented crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. More than ever, the world needs professional journalism and reliable information to adapt its response to the spread of COVID-19, organize itself, learn from other countries’ experiences and counter the increase of rumors and… read more
Community Radios in Berlin Have a New Home
Opening of the FRBB Studio in the House of Statistics,Berlin-Alexanderplatz on 31.3.2020 from 15:00-22:00 Berlin is not one city, but many.Radio is not made by itself, but by many.And the Free Radios Berlin Brandenburg do not have one studio,but – many. So, in spite of all odds, on Tuesday, March 31st,2020 the now 15th studio of the provider community Freies Radio… read more
Grassroots Radio on Coronavirus — Report from Romania
As the Coronavirus is spreading across Europe, Grassroots Radio project partners (including AMARC Europe) are devoting their energies to arrange information initiatives to keep local populations informed about data and events connected to the health emergency. Additionally, there are members of the consortium who are also active to monitor governmental decisions regarding the organization of information about the virus. This… read more
[Covid19] Bangladesh: 41 HOURS PROGRAM ON COVID-19 PREVENTION EDUCATION
Sixteen Community Radios stations in Bangladesh have been broadcasting 41 hours Coronavirus prevention education in line with the National Preparedness and Response Plan for COVID – 19, published by Directorate General of Health Services, Health Service Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Presently, Bangladeshi Community Radio stations are broadcasting 40 hours awareness… read more
[Covid19] South Africa: NATIONAL COMMUNITY RADIO FORUM COMMEND GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO COMMUNITY MEDIA DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The National Community Radio Forum (NCRF) notes with gratitude the South African government’s confidence in, and support for the community radio sector. We are particularly encouraged by the Media Development and Diversity Agency’s (MDDA) announcement of the relief fund which will cover some costs to the value of R45 000.00 (Forty-five Thousand Rands) per community broadcaster. We are happy that the MDDA adequately… read more
Digital Communication Rights for Community Media
AMARC Europe is proud to announce the beginning of a new project supported by UNESCO, “ Fostering digital communication rights for community media”. In continuation with its strategic global perspective, AMARC wishes to fulfil its role promoting participatory democracy and active citizenship through the defence and advancement of community media. In order to turn this aspiration into action, AMARC is strengthening its… read more
One step closer to justice
In November 2019 Foundation for Civil Radio filed a lawsuit against a decision by the Media Council of the National Media and Infocommunications Authority that from December 21, 2019 Civil Radio had to stop its broadcasting on the air. We knew that this legal action would not necessarily lead to a return of the frequency we used for 25 years – since… read more
Registration for Radiocamp 2020 is open! [EN/FR/GER]
[English] THE RADIOCAMP IS AN INITIATIVE FROM THE FREE RADIO FROM THE GERMANSPEAKING COUNTRIES Beside all kinds of workshops, the focus lies on the networking. At the Radiocamp you can meet radio enthusiasts of all ages and coming from all kinds of radios. You can learn about how others do it, make contacts and start cooperations. Free Radios are a place… read more
International Women’s Day 2020: I am Generation Equality – Realizing Women’s Rights
AMARC Europe is joining the International Women’s Day 2020 campaign This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted in 1995 at the 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing/China. AMARC Europe supports the The Beijing Declaration’s resolutions fully in order to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and girls, fight women’s economic independence and the structural reasons… read more
JOINT STATEMENT: The EU and Member States must create safe environment for journalists reporting on the humanitarian situation in Greece
Physical attacks, online harassment and censorship: In recent days, media freedom organisations have shed light on threats against journalists reporting on the arrival of migrants into Greece. These attacks are taking place in a context of violence against migrants and those supporting them, such as NGOs and self- organised groups. They restrict the ability of journalists to work safely… read more
Member Survey AMARC Europe: Digitalisation and Community Media in English/French/Spanish/German
[ENGLISH] Member Survey AMARC Europe: Digitalisation and the European Community Media Sector Dear AMARC Europe members,Dear friends and colleagues from the community media sector in Europe and worldwide, The current technological shift to digital communication (infra)structures, the visible effects of big internet platforms and streaming services on the way we consume and produce media and information, the shift in the participation… read more