[asia-apec 346] Urgent!

[acfoa]

>To: aidwatch at peg.apc.org
>From: acfoa <acfoa at peg.apc.org>
>Subject: Urgent!
>
>This is a second attempt as some on the list did not receive the message.
For those who receive this twice - apologies. I would also appreciate if you
can confirm receipt.  .  
>Rima Das Pradhan...
>
>
>PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS INFORMATION AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE 
>WITH YOUR NETWORK
>
>
>Dear Friends,
>
>You may have already heard of the possible demise of Radio Australia. An
SOS letter from Radio Australia is to follow.
>
>
>WE URGE YOU TO SEND LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR THE CONTINUATION OF BROADCASTING
TO THE REGION FROM RADIO AUSTRALIA 
>BEFORE 4 FEBRUARY 1997.
>
>
>Send your letters either directly to Radio Australia on the email and fax
numbers listed below, or directly to the:
>
>· The Hon. John Howard, MP, Prime Minister, on Fax 61 6 273 4100 
>· Senator the Hon. Richard Alston, Minister for Communications and the Arts
and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate,  on fax 61 6 273 4154 and to 
>· Mr Brian Johns, Managing Director of the ABC, on fax 61 2 9333 5344. 
>
>Please make sure you send a copy of your letters to Radio Australia as well
so that they know how many letters have been sent.
>
>The following are some points you may wish to emphasise in your letters:
>
>1. Radio Australia has served to enhance Australia’s engagement with the
region, and understanding within the region of Australia and Australian
perspectives on world and regional events.  Cutting Radio Australia sends
all the wrong reasons to the region about Australia’s interest.  RA can
“showcase” Australian aid and trade initiatives in the region in a low key
informative way.
> 
>2. Radio Australia plays an important role in providing independent news
and commentary to the region. Particularly for people living in countries
which are isolated, with strictly controlled media, Radio Australia is often
the only source of information. In recent years for example, Radio Australia
was the only source of objective information on political and military
developments for the people in Fiji, Burma, East Timor, and Bougainville.
Independent and quality broadcasts can provide valuable information, support
democratic processes and the strengthen civil society.
> 
>3. The Asia Pacific region contains many of the world’s poorest countries
where people have no real media options and where political oppression is
rife. The battery operated radio is usually the only option available in
areas where there is no electricity, no satellite dishes, and no resources
to access these things. Clean water is usually of a higher priority than
television.
> 
>4. Radio Australia provides many people in the region with access to the
English language and to education and training programs to enhance language
skills and understanding.
> 
>5. Radio Australia provides independent news broadcasts to the region in
the languages of the region.
> 
>6. The review did not canvass views from the region on the value and
effectiveness of Radio Australia - they did not ask the audience.
>
>
>
>Yours sincerely, 
>
>
>
>
>JANET HUNT
>Executive Director
>
>
>_____________________________________________________________________________
>Organization: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
>To: acfoa at peg.apc.org
>Subject: To Rima
>
>
>                    AN SOS MESSAGE FROM RADIO AUSTRALIA
>
>The Government of Australia has received the report of Bob Mansfield, who
had been commissioned to review the operations of the Australian
Broadcasting Corporation -- which operates Radio Australia. Mr Mansfield
recommended that the requirement for the ABC to broadcast programs to
audiences outside Australia should cease.
>
>This, in effect, means that the ABC and the Australian Government have been
given the opportunity to close Radio Australia as a cost-cutting measure.
>
>Our managing director, Brian Johns, has said that the recommendation will
have to be considered. But he has said that the views of Radio Australia
listeners will be taken into account.
>
>The Mansfield recommendations were made after receiving thousands of
submissions from within Australia. Those few submissions that mentioned
Radio Australia directly, were supportive of RA. But Mr Mansfield admits
that he did not receive, or directly seek, submissions from RA listeners or
supporters outside Australia.
>
>Now is the time to make your voice heard. We appeal to all our listeners,
friends and supporters in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, to help Radio
Australia survive.
>
>We ask you to write a short message of support, expressing your concerns at
the possible closure. Our board of management will meet on February 5th to
consider the closure recommendation, so we need to hear from you
>before then.
>
>Radio Australia has proudly broadcast to the world for almost 60 years. Our
main listening area is Asia-Pacific, but we can be heard all over the world.
We bring news, current affairs, information and entertainment to millions of
people every day, free of charge, and free of commercial or political
interference. In many countries, Radio Australia is the only uncensored and
objective broadcast media source available that directly covers the affairs
of that country and its region.
>
>Radio Australia is one of only two broadcast media services in the world
providing regional and country-by-country coverage of the Pacific for the
people of the Pacific. And we have provided programs for re-broadcast on
local stations, as well as training, equipment and advice for those stations.
>
>Radio Australia gives people of the Asia-Pacific access to news from the
region, the world, and Australia. We are link to free, democratic societies,
for people who do not yet live in such societies. And we do not require
people to subscribe, join up or buy a satellite dish.
>
>Please e-mail messages of support to us at ranews at radioaus.abc.net.au
Messages can also be faxed to us at the RA Pacific Bureau on 61-2-9333-2234.
Our phone number at the Pacific office is 61-2-9333-2230.
>
>All messages received will be handed on to our management, and to the
Government of Australia.
>
>Thank you for your support.
>
>Richard Dinnen
>South Pacific Correspondent
>Radio Australia
>January 29, 1997
>
________________________________________________
Australian Council For Overseas Aid (ACFOA)
Private Bag 3
Deakin  ACT 2600
Australia
ph: +61 6 285 1816
fax: + 61 6 285 1720
acfoa at peg.apc.org
________________________________________________