THE RADIO FOR PEACE INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE TO HATE RADIO
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by James Latham

International shortwave radio, or world band radio as it is now commonly
called, has always been an efficient medium for transmitting thoughts, ideas
and propaganda over great distances. Many have called it the only
unstoppable medium.

Hate on shortwave in the new millennium has become far more sophisticated
and better financed than ever before with the emergence of entities like the
Genesis Communications Network and the American Freedom Network. They
provide satellite delivery systems including direct delivery to home users,
delivery of programs to shortwave stations for broadcast and internet
streaming.

Slick, professionally produced advertising and marketing has for the first
time hit hate radio. In the past, the amateur nature of hate radio separated
it from the more mainstream. The production quality and advertisements now
make it indiscernible, in many cases, from the
mainstream, except for the message. Whereas in the past you might hear ads
for Israeli gas masks, survival food, booklets on gun modification or gold
coins, you now hear ads for motor oil, electronic dog fences and corporate
ads from major electronics firms, just to mention a few.

Framing the hateful rhetoric with slick, well-produced advertisements adds
not only legitimacy, but a revenue stream that hate radio has never had in
the past. Formerly, hate broadcasters relied exclusively on their listeners
and friends for support. The advertising provides new revenue which far
exceeds their previous resources, while still allowing for the supporter
base to grow. This formula multiplies to dollars being spent on hate radio
in the new millennium far, far greater than have ever been spent before.
This is evidenced by the fact that in 1990 there were 5 hours of hate
broadcast weekly, whereas in 2001 we now have over 175 hours of far-right
programming broadcast per week. The message of hate has proliferated to a
point that it has created a curtain of hate which surrounds, contains and
emanates outward from the US.

Of the 20 shortwave stations in the US, 9 broadcast far-right programming.
These 9 stations have a total of 28 transmitters (and more are being added).
This gives the far-right broadcasters a stronger presence on shortwave in
the English and German languages than the Voice of America.

An alarming phenomenon is occurring as a result of the vast nightly lineup
of diverse far-right programs on shortwave. The listeners often tune in and
call-in to one program after the next, carrying with them the seeds of hate
from the Christian Identity broadcast to the Militia program and on to the
Patriot segment, for example. The factions are no longer isolated with
well-defined boundaries. This is further evidenced by the fact that the
hosts are adopting ideas and rhetoric from other broadcasts and inviting
representatives of other far-right factions to be guests on their programs.
This phenomenon can only occur on radio because of the interactive verbal
nature of talk radio.

Radio For Peace International has long been recognized as the definitive
source of information regarding the far-right's use of shortwave. At this
juncture in history hate radio on shortwave has reached epidemic proportion,
and we are therefore gearing up to continue effectively countering their
efforts. In January 2001, our International Board of Advisors approved, at a
meeting held here in Costa Rica, a five year Strategic Plan that will add
six 100 KW transmitters as well as improving staffing and infrastructure to
effectively carry on this work. It is our mission to offer clear channel
transmission of nightly call-in programs on shortwave that will be broadcast
during the same time slots and on the same bands as the far-right
broadcasts.

For more information contact Gil Carmichael, tel. 011-506-205-9092.

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Abdoulie A. Jallow
www.dalasigram.com
Making sending funds home more fun than hassle.
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