Comments for RCI ACTION COMMITTEE - BLOG http://rciaction.org/blog Fighting to protect the international mandate, programs and autonomy of Radio Canada International Fri, 04 May 2012 11:02:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on WHAT YOU CAN DO – 2012 CUTS-COMPRESSIONS by Govt must step in, stop cut, save Radio Canada International | RCI ACTION COMMITTEE – BLOG http://rciaction.org/blog/what-you-can-do/comment-page-1/#comment-7454 Govt must step in, stop cut, save Radio Canada International | RCI ACTION COMMITTEE – BLOG Fri, 04 May 2012 11:02:47 +0000 http://rciaction.org/blog/?page_id=296#comment-7454 [...] WHAT YOU CAN DO – 2012 CUTS-COMPRESSIONS [...] [...] WHAT YOU CAN DO – 2012 CUTS-COMPRESSIONS [...]

]]> Comment on Some keep jobs. Most don’t. RCI shutdown – almost! by Mike S http://rciaction.org/blog/2012/04/25/some-keep-jobs-most-dont-rci-shutdown-almost/comment-page-1/#comment-7337 Mike S Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:54:19 +0000 http://rciaction.org/blog/?p=731#comment-7337 The whole world can't just go to the Internet too. RCI still provides a whole lot of good will to the rest of the world, especially in marginal places that have a genuine need for impartial news in a medium that doesn't require wires that could easily be filtered by oppressive regimes. Doesn't that have any sort of value to them? I really don't get it. The whole world can’t just go to the Internet too. RCI still provides a whole lot of good will to the rest of the world, especially in marginal places that have a genuine need for impartial news in a medium that doesn’t require wires that could easily be filtered by oppressive regimes. Doesn’t that have any sort of value to them? I really don’t get it.

]]> Comment on Some keep jobs. Most don’t. RCI shutdown – almost! by Chrissy Brand http://rciaction.org/blog/2012/04/25/some-keep-jobs-most-dont-rci-shutdown-almost/comment-page-1/#comment-7197 Chrissy Brand Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:28:40 +0000 http://rciaction.org/blog/?p=731#comment-7197 It's complete madness closing RCI- what are the CBC thinking of? Their loyal audience in Africa and Europe (and I imagine other continents too) simply thrown away for no good reason. I am shocked and appalled at such a foolish move. The Link is one of the finest programmes in the world, and to lose that is unforgivable, Canada and the world's loss of RCI is sadly going to be CRI's [<em>Admin editor: China Radio International's</em>] gain... It’s complete madness closing RCI- what are the CBC thinking of? Their loyal audience in Africa and Europe (and I imagine other continents too) simply thrown away for no good reason. I am shocked and appalled at such a foolish move.

The Link is one of the finest programmes in the world, and to lose that is unforgivable, Canada and the world’s loss of RCI is sadly going to be CRI’s [Admin editor: China Radio International's] gain…

]]> Comment on WHAT YOU CAN DO – 2012 CUTS-COMPRESSIONS by Supporting colleagues at nat’l broadcaster | RCI ACTION COMMITTEE – BLOG http://rciaction.org/blog/what-you-can-do/comment-page-1/#comment-7166 Supporting colleagues at nat’l broadcaster | RCI ACTION COMMITTEE – BLOG Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:53:59 +0000 http://rciaction.org/blog/?page_id=296#comment-7166 [...] WHAT YOU CAN DO – 2012 CUTS-COMPRESSIONS [...] [...] WHAT YOU CAN DO – 2012 CUTS-COMPRESSIONS [...]

]]> Comment on CONTACT by Juhani Niinisto http://rciaction.org/blog/contact/comment-page-1/#comment-7074 Juhani Niinisto Sun, 22 Apr 2012 21:10:51 +0000 http://rciaction.org/blog/?page_id=64#comment-7074 Here in Finland we have CBC in English from an RCI satellite relayed by the national FInnish broiadcaster YLE, on weekeday nights, with the World at Six at midnight and the first half hour of As it Happens on the half hour, with some Montreal traffic announcements in between (thatis ok). Now, would it be feasible to suggest that CBC Radio One at least would continue being available on satellite in Europe?` I have personally a long history of co-operation with the RCI in my earlier professional role in Finland, only ended with my temporary stay in Canada 2006-2011, as a journalist. Since returning to Finland from "Church and Wellesley" I found listening to the midnight CBC here in Finland evenmore enjoyable than before the years in Toronto. Juhani Niinistö, Helsinki, Finland Here in Finland we have CBC in English from an RCI satellite relayed by the national FInnish broiadcaster YLE, on weekeday nights, with the World at Six at midnight and the first half hour of As it Happens on the half hour, with some Montreal traffic announcements in between (thatis ok).
Now, would it be feasible to suggest that CBC Radio One at least would continue being available on satellite in Europe?`

I have personally a long history of co-operation with the RCI in my earlier professional role in Finland, only ended with my temporary stay in Canada 2006-2011, as a journalist. Since returning to Finland from “Church and Wellesley” I found listening to the midnight CBC here in Finland evenmore enjoyable than before the years in Toronto.

Juhani Niinistö,
Helsinki, Finland

]]> Comment on Lots of listeners reacting to cuts by Admin RCI Action http://rciaction.org/blog/2012/04/19/lots-of-listeners-reacting-to-cuts/comment-page-1/#comment-7044 Admin RCI Action Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:08:44 +0000 http://rciaction.org/blog/?p=703#comment-7044 Thanks John for your suggestion - interesting take on how we can survive. One correction. Even though through the years the cuts to the budget of Radio Canada International have been the result of budget cuts at the federal level, it is the CBC/Radio-Canada (Canada's national public radio and television broadcaster) which is making the decisions on where to cut. With this latest cut of 80% it is clear that Canada's Voice to the World is not a priority for the national broadcaster, whose mandate is to Canadians in Canada. That's why the RCI Action Committee is asking for financial autonomy for RCI - so that cutting our budget is not an option when CBC/Radio-Canada is making cuts. Because of this we are focussing on convincing the federal government to step in, block the cut, and protect RCI. See: <a href="http://rciaction.org/blog/what-you-can-do/" rel="nofollow">http://rciaction.org/blog/what-you-can-do/</a> Thanks John for your suggestion – interesting take on how we can survive.

One correction. Even though through the years the cuts to the budget of Radio Canada International have been the result of budget cuts at the federal level, it is the CBC/Radio-Canada (Canada’s national public radio and television broadcaster) which is making the decisions on where to cut.

With this latest cut of 80% it is clear that Canada’s Voice to the World is not a priority for the national broadcaster, whose mandate is to Canadians in Canada.

That’s why the RCI Action Committee is asking for financial autonomy for RCI – so that cutting our budget is not an option when CBC/Radio-Canada is making cuts.

Because of this we are focussing on convincing the federal government to step in, block the cut, and protect RCI. See: http://rciaction.org/blog/what-you-can-do/

]]> Comment on Lots of listeners reacting to cuts by John Patrick http://rciaction.org/blog/2012/04/19/lots-of-listeners-reacting-to-cuts/comment-page-1/#comment-7010 John Patrick Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:22:08 +0000 http://rciaction.org/blog/?p=703#comment-7010 I suggest: Asking Al Jazeera's Qatar owner/management for help, and develop a new RCI, on shortwave, satellite TV and the 'net. Tell Canada good bye. I've been an RCI listener on shortwave since the 60's and the Canadian government was chipping away then. Ask Ian McFarland. Perhaps AJE will see the wisdom in purchasing RCI assets, employing current staff, to allow the RCI reputation for quality to continue. The Canadian government is incredibly short sighted, but that seems to be the way it is, in the new move back to the Dark Ages. Soon, I expect our electricity to be shut off because it's too modern a thing to keep going! John North Carolina USA I suggest: Asking Al Jazeera’s Qatar owner/management for help, and develop a new RCI, on shortwave, satellite TV and the ‘net.

Tell Canada good bye.

I’ve been an RCI listener on shortwave since the 60’s and the Canadian government was chipping away then. Ask Ian McFarland.

Perhaps AJE will see the wisdom in purchasing RCI assets, employing current staff, to allow the RCI reputation for quality to continue.

The Canadian government is incredibly short sighted, but that seems to be the way it is, in the new move back to the Dark Ages. Soon, I expect our electricity to be shut off because it’s too modern a thing to keep going!

John
North Carolina
USA

]]> Comment on WHAT YOU CAN DO – 2012 CUTS-COMPRESSIONS by Lots of listeners reacting to cuts | RCI ACTION COMMITTEE – BLOG http://rciaction.org/blog/what-you-can-do/comment-page-1/#comment-6990 Lots of listeners reacting to cuts | RCI ACTION COMMITTEE – BLOG Fri, 20 Apr 2012 03:57:50 +0000 http://rciaction.org/blog/?page_id=296#comment-6990 [...] WHAT YOU CAN DO – 2012 CUTS-COMPRESSIONS [...] [...] WHAT YOU CAN DO – 2012 CUTS-COMPRESSIONS [...]

]]> Comment on WHAT YOU CAN DO – 2012 CUTS-COMPRESSIONS by Phil Rafuse http://rciaction.org/blog/what-you-can-do/comment-page-1/#comment-6973 Phil Rafuse Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:52:42 +0000 http://rciaction.org/blog/?page_id=296#comment-6973 I would also add that I would like to see the amount of programming on RCI increased. Building on existing programming, a possible source of additional - non-CBC originated programming may be obtainable by working with the Coady International Institute in Antigonish Nova Scotia to develop educational programming to be broadcast to the developing world. Let me make one thing clear however - this would be to add to and build on existing programming. May I suggest that you also promote some key frequencies and broadcast times to encourage people to tune in to RCI. A letter to a politician may carry more clout if the writer can honestly say, I was listening to RCI last night ... It might be a good idea to take some photos of inexpensive SW radios currently available - the website for The Source may be a good source, pardon the pun. There are a surprising number of people in Canada and abroad who own a shortwave radio and yet may not really be aware of it. An excellent example are the many hand crank Grundig/Eton emergency radios that many Canadians - and no doubt many others around the world - own. They do have SW, and based on the one I own, the one my wife owns, and the one my in-laws own - the SW is amazingly good. There are so many markets for RCI - Canadians traveling abroad on vacation, or work; future immigrants, people in developing nations seeking information, people in oppressive regimes seeking objective news and information etc. Keep up the good work RCI - Canada - and the World - needs you! Phil Rafuse, VY2PR Stratford PE Canada I would also add that I would like to see the amount of programming on RCI increased. Building on existing programming, a possible source of additional – non-CBC originated programming may be obtainable by working with the Coady International Institute in Antigonish Nova Scotia to develop educational programming to be broadcast to the developing world. Let me make one thing clear however – this would be to add to and build on existing programming.

May I suggest that you also promote some key frequencies and broadcast times to encourage people to tune in to RCI. A letter to a politician may carry more clout if the writer can honestly say, I was listening to RCI last night …

It might be a good idea to take some photos of inexpensive SW radios currently available – the website for The Source may be a good source, pardon the pun. There are a surprising number of people in Canada and abroad who own a shortwave radio and yet may not really be aware of it. An excellent example are the many hand crank Grundig/Eton emergency radios that many Canadians – and no doubt many others around the world – own. They do have SW, and based on the one I own, the one my wife owns, and the one my in-laws own – the SW is amazingly good. There are so many markets for RCI – Canadians traveling abroad on vacation, or work; future immigrants, people in developing nations seeking information, people in oppressive regimes seeking objective news and information etc.

Keep up the good work RCI – Canada – and the World – needs you!

Phil Rafuse, VY2PR
Stratford PE Canada

]]> Comment on WHAT YOU CAN DO – 2012 CUTS-COMPRESSIONS by Phil Rafuse http://rciaction.org/blog/what-you-can-do/comment-page-1/#comment-6952 Phil Rafuse Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:02:45 +0000 http://rciaction.org/blog/?page_id=296#comment-6952 I am pleased to see that like minded people are rallying to preserve RCI. May I suggest that you add the Hon. Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, to the contact / write list. When one considers the low internet penetration within the developing world and the ease of which the internet can be censured and even shut down in countries with anti-democratic regimes, shortwave radio still has a vital role in the 21st century. Think Iran and Syria folks. 10s of millions of people around the world have access to inexpensive, yet remarkably decent shortwave radios - yet these same people cannot even dream of the luxury of internet access. In countries where batteries are prohibitively expensive and in villages where there is no electrical service, crank powered shortwave radios fill the void. I haven't seen a crank up laptop as yet and I don't think we ever will. Preserve RCI, preserve the Sackville NB transmission facility! I do agree that the CBC is no friend of RCI - RCI needs to become independent of the CBC and receive its own fair share of stable funding. Phil Rafuse, VY2PR Prince Edward Island Canada I am pleased to see that like minded people are rallying to preserve RCI. May I suggest that you add the Hon. Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, to the contact / write list.

When one considers the low internet penetration within the developing world and the ease of which the internet can be censured and even shut down in countries with anti-democratic regimes, shortwave radio still has a vital role in the 21st century. Think Iran and Syria folks.

10s of millions of people around the world have access to inexpensive, yet remarkably decent shortwave radios – yet these same people cannot even dream of the luxury of internet access. In countries where batteries are prohibitively expensive and in villages where there is no electrical service, crank powered shortwave radios fill the void. I haven’t seen a crank up laptop as yet and I don’t think we ever will.

Preserve RCI, preserve the Sackville NB transmission facility!

I do agree that the CBC is no friend of RCI – RCI needs to become independent of the CBC and receive its own fair share of stable funding.

Phil Rafuse, VY2PR
Prince Edward Island Canada

]]>