Spanish government forces closure of FM broadcast of community radio Nava

SPANISH COMMUNITY MEDIA FEDERATION – The community radio Radio Nava (Asturies, Northern Spain) received some months ago a letter from the National Secretariat for Communications (Ministry of Industry) threatening the people who carry on this non-profit project with the seal off of the antenna and technical equipment, as well as two fines up to 500.000 euros for not having permission to broadcast in its area. This threat by government officials completely ignore the content of the 2010 audiovisual legislation.

The managers of the station and the assembly of the radio have finally decided this month to close its FM transmission in order to avoid the fines, although they have try to collect different expressions of support (including a letter of support from AMARC, received last May) that were then handled to the National Secretary of Communications. However, the authorities haven’t respond yet.