Category Archives: International Broadcasting

Radio Prague Interview: Jeff White on Why Shortwave Still Matters

Speaking from Prague at the latest HFCC (High Frequency Coordination Conference), Jeff White—chairman of the HFCC and founder of Radio Miami International—shares why shortwave broadcasting still matters now more than ever. He reflects on decades of shortwave listening, recalls how Radio Prague hooked him in as a kid, and shares the practical work the HFCC does to keep global broadcasts interference-free.

White also reminds us why shortwave endures: it reaches places with little or no internet, rural areas where AM/FM won’t cut it, and listeners who simply love hearing signals from halfway around the world. Despite funding challenges and broadcast cutbacks, he believes shortwave has a bright future—and a fascinating story behind it.

Read the full article at Radio Prague International

Many thanks to David Iurescia for sharing this tip!

U.S. Global Media Agency to Lay Off Hundreds at VOA, RFA, and RFE/RL

View of the Capitol Building from the roof of the Voice of America on 330 Independence Ave., S.W.

The Guardian is reporting that more than 500 full-time employees at Voice of America and other U.S. government-funded broadcasters will soon be laid off. The U.S. Agency for Global Media announced that 532 federal positions are being cut, part of a larger restructuring effort that’s already stirred up legal challenges and concerns about leadership changes at VOA.

These broadcasters—including Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty—collectively reach over 400 million people worldwide. Employee groups and unions are warning that the cuts could undermine U.S. public diplomacy and even pose risks to national security. It’s a significant shake-up for organizations that have long played a role in bringing independent news to international audiences.

Read and comment on the full article in The Guardian.

Radio Marti Logs & Recordings: July 4, 2025

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A portion of the Edward R Murrow Transmitting Site’s antenna farm.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Greenall, who shared the following message and recordings yesterday, July 4, 2025. Dan writes:

Hi Thomas

Happy Independence Day!

Just finished listening to Radio Marti as follows:

9565 kHz strong then abruptly off at 2200 UTC (recording below)

11860 kHz strong then abruptly off at 2201 UTC

11930 kHz strong then abruptly off at 2201+ UTC

13605 kHz not heard today but strong on July 1st (recording below):

Dan Greenall

Thank you for sharing these logs and recordings, Dan! I hope you had a wonderful Canada Day on the 1st of July as well!

CJR Reports: VOA’s Quiet Broadcast to North Korea Ends Without Explanation

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The Columbia Journalism Review investigates a little-known Voice of America television initiative that quietly broadcast into North Korea from South Korea—until it was recently shut down. The article explores how this short-lived program, launched during the Biden administration, came to an abrupt end under new leadership at the U.S. Agency for Global Media. It raises questions about the shifting priorities in U.S. international broadcasting and how those changes may impact efforts to reach audiences in one of the world’s most closed societies.

Read the full story at CJR.org.

Radio Martí Returns to the Airwaves: June 27, 2025

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Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station in North Carolina

One of my trusted sources at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) has confirmed that Radio Martí resumed broadcasting today via the Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station in Greenville, North Carolina.

Broadcasts officially resumed at 12:00 EDT / 16:00 UTC on June 27, 2025. SWLing Post community members have confirmed reception on 11860 kHz and 13605 kHz.

This marks a significant development following the temporary suspension of transmissions earlier this year. I’ll post updates as more details become available.

— Thomas

Radio Farda is back on the air as of June 20, 2025

Voice of Nigeria Plans Antenna Reactivation for Broader African Broadcasts

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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.