[IRCA] RNZI Shortwave Budget Frozen Again

[Geralyn Hollerman <lynnhollerman@xxxxxxxxx>]

For anyone interested:
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Radio New Zealand International
Budget Frozen for Third Year
_______________________________

Wellington[NZ]

New Zealand's international shortwave broadcaster, Radio New Zealand
International [RNZI] has again had its annual budget frozen in the
latest government budget for FY 2011-12 announced here today.

This is the third year in a row that RNZI's budget has been capped at
NZ$1.9m [US$1.5m) but the buying power in US dollars has actually
increased by almost 20% because of the stronger New Zealand currency.

The budget is forecast to stay the same in future years through to
2015, so the good news is that core shortwave services to the Pacific
continue to be funded, but the bad news is that increased wages,
costs and inflation [around 2-4% in the coming few years] will
effectively put greater pressure on the broadcaster.

Again, no funding is provided for a replacement of the 21 year old
100kW analog transmitter, but RNZI must achieve 99% transmission
service on both this and the more recent 100kW digital capable
transmitter.

To reduce costs, RNZI often cuts the power down to 50kW on both
transmitters, whilst making sure it also delivers daily news
bulletins able to be rebroadcast by a minimum of 17 Pacific region
radio stations.

Currently, RNZI provides FM quality news bulletins and its flagship
'Dateline Pacific' program to some 19 Pacific stations, and
rebroadcasts by the BBC Pacific program stream reach another 11 local
stations across the Pacific region.

In addition, RNZI provides live audio feeds, podcasts and audio on
demand news, current affairs and other programs from its website
www.rnzi.com.

RNZI also continues to provide emergency tsunami, earthquake and
cyclone warnings for much of the region between French Polynesia and
the Solomon Islands and also works with New Zealand and Australian
aid programs to upgrade the shortwave broadcasting capacity of local
broadcasters such as VBTC Vanuatu and SIBC Solomon Islands.

The budget freeze is in the context of government budget expenditure
reaching 8.4% of GDP this year because of the world economic climate
and the massive economic and social cost of the Christchurch
earthquake in February. All government agencies have had budgets
frozen or reduced for FY 2011-2012.

****************************************************
Radio Heritage Foundation is a registered non-profit run by
volunteers connecting popular culture, nostalgia and radio heritage
across the Pacific. 

Features, news, information and radio listener guides are at
www.radioheritage.com. 

Operating costs are currently 60% funded from supporters worldwide.
Donations are welcome to support this free community service. 
US$50 donation covers one day of operating costs.
**************************************************** 
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Lynn.
Lafayette, LA
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