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		- Press release -   March 31, 1995

Local radio threatened by new digital systems

European plans for digital sound broadcasting could undermine
local radio and are a threat to freedom of expression and
information according to AMARC-Europe, regional section of the
World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters.

Meeting in Bordeaux from 25-27 March 1995, the General Council of
AMARC-Europe has called upon the Eureka 147 Project Management
Group to urgently address the outstanding technical problems for
local radio.

The call follows moves to establish a European DAB forum to
co-ordinate the introduction in Europe of digital broadcasting
services. The first Eurodab Forum was organised by the European
Broadcasting Union in Geneva on 22 March 1995.

Steve Buckley, President of AMARC-Europe, said:

"There are over 8,000 local radios in Europe. A technical solution
must be found that will give local and community radio services
equal access to digital transmission quality alongside regional,
national and international services.

"If the proposed Eureka 147 System goes ahead in its present form
many local radio stations would be excluded from digital sound
broadcasting through lack of adequate frequencies or because of
excessive transmission costs."

- ends -

Further information:

Steve Buckley

Tel: +44 114 279 5219   Fax: +44 114 279 8976

E-mail: amarc@gn.apc.org

Notes:

1. AMARC-Europe has members in 23 European countries. They include
national federations who represent over 1,000 local and community
radios. AMARC-Europe is the regional section of the World
Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, an international
non-governmental organisation with members in over 60 countries.

2. The Sixth World Assembly of Community Radio Broadcasters, held
in Dakar in January 1995 called upon the International
Telecommunications Union and the Eureka 147 Project Management
Group to ensure that new technological systems are "sufficiently
flexible, accessible and affordable as to include current and
future developments in community and local radio". The meeting was
attended by 300 community radio broadcasters from 50 countries.