Closure of public broadcaster ERT sparks outcry in Greece

The abrupt closure of Greek public broadcaster ERT has sparked outcry in Greece and abroad. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has urged Greece to reverse its decision to close down ERT. Many ERT employees have continued to work without pay, keeping ERT on the air on some channels without government authorization. On June 13, over 10,000 protesters rallied outside the ERT headquarters in the capital Athens in support of the staff. Rallies have been held also elsewhere in Greece, and unions have staged protests disrupting other public services.
      The closure of ERT was announced by the Greek coalition government on June 11 as part of austerity measures to balance public finances. According to the government, ERT's 2,500 employees were to be laid off immediately, but they would be compensated. Later on the government plans to launch a much smaller public broadcaster with a fraction of ERT's staff.
      ERT's website has been closed, but ERT has still been heard on various AM and shortwave frequencies. In Europe, the AM frequencies of 1008 kHz (Kerkyra), 1259.84 kHz (Rhodes), 1278 kHz (Florina), 1404 kHz (Komotini) and 1511.94 kHz (Chania) have been monitored being on the air. The foreign service Voice of Greece has also been heard on several shortwave frequencies, most recently retransmitting the audio of ERT's unauthorized television programs.
(DXing.info, June 14, 2013)

Radio Dechovka launched in the Czech Republic on 1233 AM

Radio Dechovka broadcasts brass band music 24/7 on the frequency of 1233 kHz mediumwave. The station can also be heard on the Internet and via digital terrestrial television in the Czech Republic. The AM transmitter is located in Líbeznice, just north of the Czech capital Prague. The station was first reported by Czech DXer Karel Honzik on May 8th with test broadcasting at a power of 100 watts. You can write to the station at Radio Dechovka, U Prutníku 232, 250 72 Predboj, Czech Republic, send email or call at +420 311 280 281.
(DXing.info, June 11, 2013)

Radio Banderas on 1450 AM new in Argentina

Radio Banderas on 1450 kHz is a new station broadcasting from Partido de Moreno, Provincia de Buenos Aires since late May. DXer Arnaldo Slaen heard telephone numbers 0237-4687766 and 0111530780194 (cell) mentioned. He reported the station on June 1st, using for instance the slogan "Toda la música del Litoral en un solo lugar: AM1450 Radio Banderas".
(DXing.info, June 11, 2013)

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