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This article is about Radio Panamericana, the Uruguayan radio
station that has been permanently closed by the government.

From: F.FORSTER@3LANDBOX.comlink.apc.org
Subject: On Radio Panamericana, Uruguay
Conf: amarc.radio
Date: 01 Sep 94 06:10 EDT


self presentation of Radio Panamericana, Montevideo, Uruguay:

(published in IKX-letter no. 1, November 1992)
                                         ^^^^

CX 44 Radio Panamericana from Montevideo, Uruguay
-------------------------------------------------

Is it possible today for a leftist political group, from an
underdeveloped Latin American country, a group which has been
underground, in jail or in exil for 23 years, to run an
alternative radio station?  The National Liberation Movement-
"Tupamaros" (MLN-T) in Uruguay, which has been known since
the 60's as one of the first "City Guerrila" groups, and has
undertaken legal political actions since 1985, has said "yes"
to this challenge.

Since June 19th, 1988, CX 44 Radio Panamericana can be heard
throughout Uraguay on the middle band of the radio spectrum at
10 kilowatts. During the military dictatorship from 1973 to
1985 there was an absolute lack of freedom of the press. The
consequences were self-censorship, the manipulation of
information according to the interests of powerful political
and economic groups, leading to passivity and indifference
of listeners due to ideological and alienating programs in
all types of media. In response to this, "la Radio de la
gente" ("The People's Radio") uses alternative forms of
communication to work against the tendency to forget the
crimes committed by the dictatorship. The first step was
to open the communication channels within a politically
heterogenous audience whose common goal is an independent
and unified nation.


Radio Panamericana - The listener's radio

The other form of communication which Radio Panamericana has
developed during the last 4 1/2 years is based on a
pluralistic, democratic, participatory and united manner of
working. It parts with the orthodox communication concept of
broadcasting and listening. Radio Panamericana journalists
are not only reporters of information, they also receive
feedback from their listeners. This pluralism must be
continually balanced. We work on the principle that no voice
may be shoved aside, neither those that never had the
opportunity to express themselves, nor those who had the
opportunity, but were discouraged by the left. We trust the
ability of our listeners to think and make decisions for
themselves. If our audience needs more information, or has
questions about a program, they can call in and participate
in discussions with studio guests. Thus the listener becomes
a journalist.

Neither the MLN nor the leadership of the station own a
particular segment; their opinions are weighed equally with
other political parties and social organizations. The
broadcasts are not censored nor are the participants who
phone in or visit the studio. We support the concept of
debate and conflicting ideas, because we believe that the
truth developes from free, rather than manipulated
discussions.

In this manner, listeners share, criticize, give their
opinions about the content of the broadcast, talk about
social problems in various sectors of the city and expose the
violation of fundamental human rights. Another sort of
participation by listeners is found in the solidarity
campaigns that are organized by Radio Panamericana. For
instance, we collect winter clothes and distribute them in
poor areas. We also distribute toys for "The Day of the
Child" and school materials for rural schools and children of
striking workers.

In addition, our solidarity campaign provided help during
floods  and after Hurrican Jane in Nicaragua. Radio
Panamericana also supports large, national campaigns: For
example, the soliciting of signatures in 1988 for a public
vote against the amnesty laws  for police and military who
were charged with human rights violations during the
dictatorship. Radio Panamericana is involved in the
referendum against the law for privatization in Uruguay,
which will take place the 1st of October. We are the only
radio station in Uruguay which is taking part in this cause.
(The Referendum took place in 1992; a large majority turned
down the law.)

A large portion of the Uruguay listeners realized the
necessity of a Community Radio and actively contributed in
keeping the station on the air when economic factors
threatened its further existence. This was demonstrated by
the number of listeners who put "Radio de la gente" in third
place among the 137 stations in the entire country (40 in
Montevideo). Our acceptance is reflected in the large number
of participants in our workshops, activities, festivals,
excursions, solidarity tours, etc.). In a time of decreasing
political and social engagement in Uruguay, due to the lack
of credibility of its political leaders, left and right, it
is remarkable that every activity of Radio Panamericana unites
thousands of people. The "Grand Family" of Radio Panamericana
has become an institution.

The Internal Structure of Radio Panamericana

Radio Panamericana is managed collectively by three members,
each of whom has her or his specific responsibilities. From
the additional co-workers, half hold paid positions and the
other half work on a volunteer basis. The paid employees
are represented by a union which is associated with the
"Uruguayan Press." Through this union, employees can share
their ideas and proposals. This process guarantees the
independence of the working class, eventhough they identify
with the political views and work ethics of the Radio
Panamericana management.

Radio Panamericana is a voting member of the AMARC
(World Association  of Community Radio Broadcasters).
At the same time, it maintains relations with specific
radio organizations in  other countries. Together with an
Australian radio station, which has a Spanish speaking
broadcast, simultaneous transmissions were made possible,
as well as with another broadcast from Barcelona, Spain.
We have correspondents in Canada, Australia and Sweden.
An  exchange with other Latin American radio stations is
difficult because alternative media lacks financing in this
region. Despite this, we are trying through AMARC to
establish a network in Latin America.


Financing

The process of establishing an alternative form of
communication is  not without problems or contradictions.  The
biggest problems are  economical ones.  It was clear from the
beginning that the only way  to secure the financial survival
of this project was through public  support and with the goal
of becoming a non-profit organization.  Although the station
is near the top in terms of the number of  listeners, it has
been boycotted by large businesses and important advertising
agencies.  This is just another sign that the market is
orchestrated by an oligopoly, which, due to political factors,
ignores "The Law of the Market" in favor of its own interests.


On the other hand, neither the leadership nor the broadcastors
are  prepared to limit their independence and freedom of
opinion because  of potential customers.  Neither do they want
to reduce the staff  in order to meet their budget.  In
addition to the limited sale of advertising space, we have
thousands of members who pay a monthly subscription fee.  We
are also supported by unions, neighborhood  groups and co-ops.
We also have a very active "Friends of the  Radio" group, who
organize various activities (auctions,concerts, excursions,
dance performances, festivals, etc...) thereby  maintaining
contact to members while at the same time raising funds.   In
addition, our friends in other countries work to establish
their  own solidarity groups, publicize our station, raise
funds and bulid  contact with other communication
organizations and their unions.

Even with all of these undertakings, the economical problem
has not  been eliminated. Therefore we want to state that
every month we are  able to survive, is one in which we are
able to keep a project  going, whith the goal of providing a
free and democratic form of communication.  A project of this
kind is only possible through a  constant effort, and
therefore the employees and listeners of Radio Panamericana
are prepared to do anything so that this station will remain
"La Radio de la gente."


Radio Panamericana
____________________________________
published by:
IKX-letter no. 1, November 1992
InterKonneXiones
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Fax: +49-761-31868 Tel.: +49-7611-30407