Radio Free Europe’s Kyrgyz television and radio programmes have been off the air in the capital city of Bishkek since Wednesday, shortly after affiliate managers reported that they had been pressured by Kyrgyz officials.
RFE/RL’s Bishkek television affiliate station “Echo of Manas” was warned by Kyrgyz authorities that it would face difficulties in renewing its broadcast license if it continued to air the Kyrgyz Service’s widely viewed “Inconvenient Questions” and “Azattyk Plus” programmes. Radio affiliates in Bishkek and the northern city of Naryn have also stopped carrying Kyrgyz Service programming.
The broadcasting of RFE/RL programs was halted just days before expected rallies and protests marking the fifth anniversary of the country’s so-called Tulip Revolution. The US State Department’s just released annual report on human rights in Kyrgyzstan noted that, while “the law provides for freedom of speech and of the press… the government at times restricted these rights in practice, especially through withdrawal of broadcasting rights and reportedly through intimidation of journalists.”
RFE/RL’s difficulties in Kyrgyzstan are not new. In late 2008, UTRK, Kyrgyzstan’s state broadcaster, suspended Radio Azattyk programming, calling its political content “too negative and too critical.” The company later offered to resume broadcasts on condition that all programming be submitted to state authorities for prior approval. RFE/RL rejected the proposal.
(Source: RFE/RL)
Andy Sennitt adds: Kim Andrew Elliott points out that RFE/RL Kyrgyz programming is still available on shortwave, at 1200-1230 UTC on 9465 and 13755 kHz, and 1500-1530 UTC on 7480 and 11790 kHz.
on Mar 14th, 2010 at 23:47
Once again we see the importance of shortwave broadcasts. Wonderful as it is to have high quality FM and TV programs rebroadcast in the target country, a reliance upon this is a poor choice particularly when it concerns developing countries. Many of these nations only have a veneer of democracy and their governments do not welcome patronization, criticism or the appearance of meddling by foreign funded broadcasters.
Seeing how easily Iran has been able to block well funded Satellite TV broadcasts from France, Germany, UK and the USA, it would make more sense to try and reach these countries by short and medium waves before wasting alot of money on FM rebroadcasting and TV.