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From the IFEX COMMUNIQUE # 6-13, 1 April 1997
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MALI: COMMUNITY RADIO THRIVING THROUGH SHARED RESOURCES, BUT
POLITICAL REPRESSION STILL A THREAT

Community radio is thriving in Mali thanks to shared resources
and solidarity amongst stations, reports the World Association of
Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) in the March issue (Vol. 2, No.
1) of "AMARClink", AMARC's online magazine. There are more than 60
local radio stations in Mali, some of whom have formed new networks
based on "editorial affinities or economic necessity." The KAYIRA
independent radio network, which has four member stations throughout
Mali, found that "the strength of the station in the capital, Bamako,
was being sapped by the support it provided to the three other
stations." So, AMARC says, the rural stations were strengthened "so
they can play their part in the network." The radio station in
Koulikoro is now setting up a cultural and multi-service area thanks
to a free, long-term lease granted by a generous supporter.

In an article on Mali in another AMARC publication, "Interadio"
(Vol. 8, No. 1), Oumar Mariko, AMARC Vice President for Western
and Central Africa and KAYIRA Communications Director, writes,
"Freedom of the airwaves resulted from a sociopolitical evolution that
preceded its enshrinement into law" in 1991. In 1996, more than 45 of
Mali's radio stations were independent. However, Mariko warns, "In
spite of the laws providing ready access to the airwaves, private
radio broadcasters in Mali are not immune from political repression."
Three of KAYIRA's four radio stations were "temporarily closed in
violation of current legislation."

In January, "AMARClink" reports, AMARC held a management training
seminar in Mali, at which it was decided "to set up a training
programme and centre for radio broadcasters; to create a computerised
communications network as soon as access to the Internet, scheduled
for the beginning of March 1997, is available in Mali; and to
introduce a Western and Central African radio network." The
"AMARClink" pages are on AMARC's web site at
http://www.web.net/amarc/link.htm AMARC's bi-annual
publication, "InteRadio", is now available on the Internet in English,
French and Spanish through AMARC's web site at
http://www.web.net/amarc/.

The IFEX "Communique" is published weekly in English, French and
Spanish by the IFEX Clearing House, Toronto. The facility is
operated by the Canadian Committee to Protect Journalists (CCPJ)
in partnership with the member organizations of the International
Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX). Contact the IFEX CH at CCPJ,
490 Adelaide Street West, Suite 205, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1T2,
CANADA; Tel: (1-416) 703-1638; Fax: (1-416) 703-7034; or E-mail:
ifex@web.net. WWW site: http://www.ifex.org/. "Communique" Editor:
Kristina Stockwood. Subscriptions are available by e-mail and surface
mail. The views expressed in the "Communique" are the responsibility
of the sources to which they are attributed.
___________________________________________________
Bruce Girard             Agencia Informativa Pulsar
Email: bgirard@pulsar.org.ec
http://www.web.net/amarc/pulsar.html
Fono/Fax: +593-2-501180/551674
Fax en Montreal, Canada: +1-514-221-2009
Av. Atahualpa 333, Casilla 17-08-8489, Quito, Ecuador