Category Archives: International Broadcasting

Dynamic Map of Broadcasters Currently on the Air

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Stefano, who writes:

Hi Thomas,

I just wanted to share a small project I created today that I thought might be interesting for your readers. I put together a webpage where you can see broadcast radio stations currently on air displayed on a world map.

It’s based on two frequency databases: the EiBi and Aoki lists. I also keep these databases updated, since they are the same ones used for the data updates of SWList.

https://www.sramp.com/worldradiomap

Here’s also a page from my blog where I describe the project:

https://sramp.com/world-radio-map/

Thanks, and keep up the great work!

Stefano

What a cool map, Stefano! Thank you for sharing this with the wider SWL community.

Federal court mandates reinstatement of over 1,000 VOA employees

Dan Notes Voice of America’s Return to Shortwave

7 Replies

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Greenall, who shared the following message on March 1, 2026 [note the delay in posting Dan’s message due to recent site maintenance]:

Hi Thomas

This evening, I came across a sound on shortwave that I had not heard in a long time. It was the familiar tune of Yankee Doodle being played by the Voice of America on 7500 kHz just prior to 2200 hours UTC. According to both shortwave.live and the Short-wave Fan Facebook page, this was a half-hour program in Mandarin being broadcast through the VOA facility in Tinang, Philippines. They apparently are using a transmitter in Kuwait as well for a few other programs. Though none of the actual programs are in English, the ID at the beginning and end of the transmission are. Follow this link for their schedule.

Here are two brief recordings, one of their sign on at 2200, and the other at sign off at 2230 hours UTC. They were made using Kiwi SDR’s located in Europe.

(Update March 3, 2026) — In addition to the original log, I just heard the VOA signing on at 1530 UTC on 9310 kHz in Korean using a Kiwi SDR in Thailand. Same intro with the retro Yankee Doodle music and English ID.

Has anyone else been tuning into these?

Dan Greenall, Ontario, Canada

90 Years of Broadcasting: Radio Prague’s Anniversary Shadowed by Closure Fears

1 Reply

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Jamet, who shares the following item from Radio Prague:

Radio Prague International has launched a year-long celebration of its 90th anniversary with an exhibition showcasing its rich history, even as concerns grow over its potential closure. The station, which began broadcasting in 1936, faces an uncertain future after the Czech Foreign Ministry proposed cutting its budget by nearly 25% and signaled intentions to discontinue the service by 2027. Despite the milestone birthday, staff and supporters worry this could mark the end of a vital cultural and informational link to the world.

https://english.radio.cz/radio-prague-int-launches-90th-birthday-celebrations-amid-fears-closure-8879585

Radio For Peace International: Special Daily Broadcasts to Iran

BBC World Service’s Emergency Radio Programme for Iran

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Richard Cuff, who writes:

Also spotted this at the BBC Press information website — it’s been in
effect, apparently, since early in February:

BBC launches emergency lifeline radio programme for Iran (BBC Media Centre)

4 February 2026

The programme will air daily for 30 minutes across medium and shortwave frequencies

The BBC World Service has launched a temporary emergency lifeline radio programme for Iran in response to the ongoing turmoil in the country, and the unprecedented crackdown on protests.

To complement the existing BBC News Persian video and digital services, the radio programme will be available on mediumwave and shortwave across Iran to increase the population’s access to news and information. To broaden its offer and availability of programming, the BBC World Service has also made some of its TV content available on mediumwave radio.

Since 8 January, the Iranian people have been subject to an internet blackout. Prior to this, BBC News Persian’s digital services saw their biggest reach in a year with their platforms reaching more than 33 million people.

The short-term programme will cover the latest news and developments in Iran and will place events inside the country within their wider regional and international context. It will feature voices from inside Iran alongside clear, informed analysis of the most recent political, social, and economic developments shaping the situation in the country.

The programme will air daily for 30 minutes across medium and shortwave frequencies from 4.30pm GMT / 8pm Iran Standard Time. The temporary programme has been granted resource from existing funds until the end of March 2026.

Fiona Crack, Interim Global Director, BBC News, says: “A key role of the BBC World Service is to step up in times of crisis to provide news and information for our audiences in greatest need. BBC News Persian reaches one in four adults in Iran, which is an astonishing feat considering their reporting is banned in the country.

“The team have been essential in telling the urgent story of the Iranian people to audiences around the world, and our new radio programme will give the Iranian people more ways to access independent and impartial news.”

Tarik Kafala, Interim Regional Director, Middle East and North Africa, says: “BBC News Persian have worked tirelessly to deliver journalism throughout this period of unrest as the demand for trusted news has soared in Iran. The teams have supplied extended TV hours in Iran and an increased offer on digital platforms for the Iranian people. They have reported for UK audiences across bulletins, live pages and on forensic journalism with BBC Verify.”

The BBC World Service has a history of launching emergency services in times of crisis. In April 2025, BBC News Burmese started providing audio and video content on a satellite channel in the aftermath of Myanmar earthquake.

In December 2024, following the fall of the Assad regime, the BBC World Service set up an enhanced audio channel on FM and mediumwave for the people of Syria. This follows the emergency radio service for Gaza in November 2023 and for Sudan in May 2023 amid conflict.

In February 2022, the BBC News Ukraine service extended TV bulletins following the invasion of the country.

Where to find the programme:

The live programme will be available at 4.30pm GMT (8pm Iran Time) on 702kHz medium wave and 9465kHz short wave
The programme will be repeated at 6pm GMT (9.30pm Iran time) on 702kHz mediumwave and 5935kHz shortwave
A visualised version of the programme will be broadcast on BBC Persian TV at 6pm GMT (9.30pm Iran time)

Radio Waves: Origins of PRI’s The World, Hona Ghazza, and Vatican Radio at 95

Radio Waves: Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio

Welcome to the SWLing Post’s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio. Enjoy!

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors Richard Cuff, Carlos Latuff, and David Iurescia for the following tips:

How The World launched 30 years ago ‘to connect Americans to the rest of the globe’ (WGBH)

For three decades, The World, the public radio program from GBH and PRX, has crossed time zones to tell the stories that matter. For 30 years, it has delivered captivating global journalism — the first of its kind, and still the only program dedicated to bringing international news to U.S. public radio audiences every day.

Marco Wermen, host of the World, joined GBH’s All Things Considered’s Arun Rath to celebrate the milestone anniversary. This is a lightly edited transcript of their conversation. [Continue reading…]

New Radio Station Breaks the Silence from Gaza Ruins (SAFA News Agency)

From the rubble of a territory that has endured years of siege and devastation, a new independent radio station has begun broadcasting once again, offering a voice to residents after a prolonged blackout of local media. For the first time in over two years, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip can tune in to Hona Ghazza, meaning Here Gaza, on FM radio, a milestone in communication after all 23 local stations were destroyed during Israel’s genocidal war.

Broadcasting from makeshift studios and supported by collaborations between local media groups and university centres, the station is designed to serve as more than just a source of music or news. [Continue reading…]

Vatican Radio at 95: English Africa Service approaches 76 Years (Vatican News)

Founded in 1931 by Guglielmo Marconi at the request of Pope Pius XI and placed under the guidance of the Jesuits, Vatican Radio continues its global service. For its part, the English Africa Service has been broadcasting to the continent for 76 years

12 February 2026 marks the 95th anniversary of Vatican Radio, a pioneering voice in global broadcasting and one of the Church’s most historic media institutions.

Established on 12 February 1931 by Guglielmo Marconi, inventor of wireless telegraphy, at the request of Pope Pius XI, Vatican Radio began its mission with the first papal radio message. This event began a new era in the Church’s use of modern communication to proclaim the Gospel. [Continue reading…]