[IRCA] New RNZI Radio Heritage Documentary - Surviving Tsunamis

[Geralyn Hollerman <lynnhollerman@xxxxxxxxx>]

For anyone interested:

---
RNZI Airs New Radio Heritage Documentary
'Surviving Tsunamis'
Radio in the Pacific Ring of Fire
________________________________________ 

Join us from Monday October 19 2009 when we air our new radio
heritage documentary about surviving tsunamis in the South Pacific on
the next Radio New Zealand International [RNZI] Mailbox program.

You can listen directly via shortwave or audio on demand [for the
following month] with full details of broadcast frequencies and times
in your area and audio download at www.rnzi.com.

The recent tsunamis in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga brought
forward brave dedication to duty from several radio stations, and the
program includes an interview with the morning DJ at KKHJ-FM in Pago
Pago who was trapped in the studios as the waves smashed into the
ground floor of her building.

However, as the program explains, it's by pure luck that the radio
station studios in Pago Pago and Apia weren't swept out to sea, their
buildings being totally exposed to the Pacific. 

Across the Pacific, other radio station studios and facilities are at
sea level and wouldn't stand a chance if the wrong tsunami hit in the
wrong place. 

Both Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands also had major earthquakes and
tsunami warnings within hours. Radio everywhere is an extremely
fragile lifeline.

The program also looks at the problem of most local Pacific radio
stations broadcasting in local languages. Yet local economies
increasingly depend on tourists. When emergency strikes, tourists are
told to listen to the local radio for instructions.  

In Samoa, the only two English speaking stations were no longer
broadcasting live, and hundreds of tourists had no idea what was
happening, as the only live broadcast they could hear was completely
in Samoan.

Just how fragile the broadcasting infrastructure is and how
vulnerable local residents and tourists alike can be in an
earthquake, tsunami or cyclone in the Pacific Ring of Fire is
discussed.

Join David Ricquish of the Radio Heritage Foundation as we celebrate
the bravery of Pacific broadcasters and warn of the dangers facing
the islands in future natural disasters.

A full list of AM radio stations broadcasting in the Pacific is
available free in the Pacific Asian Log AM Radio Guide at
www.radioheritage.net, where you'll also learn more about
broadcasting in these beautiful but vulnerable islands in features
from our Island Radio Pacific Style series.

RNZI's Mailbox program from Monday October 19 2009, via shortwave and
audio on demand with full times and schedules online at www.rnzi.com.
---

Lynn.
Lafayette, LA
Check out the IRCA web site at http://www.ircaonline.org


      
_______________________________________________
IRCA mailing list
IRCA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca

Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers

For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org

To Post a message: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx