(This is very sad news for the listeners to shortwave radio...Mike)

by Andy Sennitt, 8 April 2004

Swiss Radio International (SRI) has reached the final phase of its retreat
from international radio broadcasting after 70 years. From 13 April 2004,
there are no more daily radio programmes in English, and at the end of
October the shortwave transmissions will close down completely. The
likelihood of SRI leaving shortwave was laid out in a press release from the
Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM)in December 1999:

"The Federal Council considers that Swiss Radio International (SRI) makes
judicious use of federal subsidies. It believes that shortwave will continue
to be important over the next few years for Swiss nationals abroad and for
the developing countries....SRI will continue until further notice to be
transmitted on shortwave as this method of transmission cannot currently be
replaced for Swiss nationals abroad or for the developing countries. In the
medium term, however, alternative means, such as digital technology, may be
applied."

(This continues as its a very long article at
http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features...sri040408.html )