Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who writes:
From Jean-Michel Aubier on WOR list:
Radio Farda is back on shortwave since June 20, 2025:
Thank you for the tip, Paul.
Thanks to a tip from SWLing Post contributor Paul Walker, who spotted the news via WRTH and Mauno Ritola, we’ve learned that Voice of Nigeria (VON) is planning to reactivate its shortwave antenna system to better serve audiences across Africa.
According to a recent article from VON, the broadcaster aims to significantly expand its reach and improve signal quality as part of a renewed effort to fulfill its international broadcasting mission. The reactivation comes amid a broader strategic push to reassert Nigeria’s presence in regional and global media through improved technical infrastructure.
Many thanks to a number of SWLing Post contributors who shared the following news via Vatican News on Facebook. Below you’ll find an English translation and the original in Italian (note that all photos are courtesy of Vatican News):
This morning, June 19, #PopeLeoXIV visited Santa Maria di Galeria, in the extraterritorial area where the shortwave Radio Center of #VaticanRadio, Dicastery for Communication, is located. He met with the staff, with whom he stayed and conversed ?, visited the transmitter hall designed by architect Pier Luigi Nervi, and sat in the control room for the shortwave broadcasts.
The Pope inquired about the functioning of the antennas, the broadcasts, and the digital disaster recovery system, and celebrated with the staff ? his 43rd anniversary of priesthood, which falls today.
The Pontiff emphasized how, during his missionary work in Latin America and Africa, it was invaluable to be able to receive the shortwave broadcasts of Vatican Radio, which reach places where few stations are able to, and he reaffirmed the missionary value of communication.
The Radio Center was inaugurated by Pope Pius XII in 1957.
The last visit by a Pope to the Radio Center and the area of Santa Maria di Galeria was in 1991, when John Paul II went there.
[Original version in Italian]
Questa mattina, 19 giugno, #PapaLeoneXIV è andato in visita a Santa Maria di Galeria, nella zona extraterritoriale dove sorge il Centro Radio in onda corta della #RadioVaticana, Dicastero per la Comunicazione. Ha incontrato il personale, con cui si è trattenuto in conversazione, ha visitato la sala trasmettitori progettata dall’architetto Pier Luigi Nervi e si è seduto nella sala di controllo per le trasmissioni in onda corta.
Il Papa si è informato sul funzionamento delle antenne, delle trasmissioni e del sistema di digital disaster recovery, e con il personale ha celebrato con un piccolo rinfresco il suo 43° anniversario di sacerdozio, che cade oggi.
Il Pontefice ha sottolineato come durante il suo lavoro missionario in America Latina e Africa sia stato prezioso poter ricevere le trasmissioni in onde corte della Radio Vaticana, che raggiungono luoghi dove poche emittenti riescono ad arrivare, e ha riaffermato il valore missionario della comunicazione.
Il Centro Radio è stato inaugurato da Papa Pio XII nel 1957.
L’ultima visita di un Papa al Centro Radio e alla zona di Santa Maria di Galeria risale al 1991, anno in cui vi si recò Giovanni Paolo II.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Ed, who writes:
Hi Thomas,
Some SWLing Post readers may be interested in seeing video of a television studio of Iranian State broadcaster Iran News Network being bombed during a live broadcast.
Click here to read the story via the AP.
Many SWLing Post readers know that radio and TV broadcast facilities are typically attacked in wartime by opposing military forces to ‘control the airwaves’ and influence public opinion. It will be interesting to see if/when the Israeli military starts clandestine broadcasts into Iran.
Reportedly U.S. Agency for Global Media’s (USAGM) is seeking to re-hire many workers it recently fired in a mass USAGM purge, now that the U.S. needs to broadcast into Middle East conflict zones and influence public opinion using Alhurra TV, Radio Sawa, and VOA.
-Ed
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan Greenall, who writes:
Hi Thomas
Regarding your recent post on June 5: https://swling.com/blog/2025/06/twr-guam-to-end-broadcasting/
KTWR, Trans World Radio has recently announced they will be ending their shortwave broadcasts from Agana, Guam by October 31, 2025. However, unlike some stations that have vanished somewhat abruptly, there are still a few months remaining to log this station before they are gone from the airwaves forever. As well, with the help of various SDR’s located around the globe, this task should not be too difficult. The attached recording was made this past weekend on June 8, 2025, through the use of a Kiwi SDR located in northern Thailand on a frequency of 11965 kHz. At first, there is just background noise, but then, you will hear their transmitter come onto the air and power up for a few seconds. Their interval signal is played a number of times followed by sign on in English at 1100 hours UTC.
73
Dan Greenall, Ontario, Canada
(Source: The Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration appointee overseeing the Voice of America has outlined job cuts that would reduce employment at the state-run news organization from over 1,000 people to 81.
The Voice of America, which has delivered news to countries all over the world for the better part of a century, has been largely silent for two months following an executive order by President Donald Trump. He believes Voice of America, and similar organizations like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, have reported with a liberal bias.
Most of VOA’s employees have been on administrative leave since mid-March amid reports that layoff notices were forthcoming.
Kari Lake, who has been overseeing the U.S. Agency for Global Media for Trump, outlined planned employment changes in a letter Tuesday to U.S. Sen. James Risch that was obtained by The Associated Press. Lake said Trump had directed the agency “to reduce the performance of its statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law.” [Continue reading…]
The Guam Transmitting Site (Source: TRW)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Tracy Wood, who write:
This is sad but expected news. Guam is seeing a lot of land acquisition pressure due to greater military and commercial activity on the island.