MN.15.01.1998. Boundless & RNZI

Crazy opening with Coco Jambo. The international service of Radio New Zealand may be axed. We spoke with Linden Clark (photo) who explains the importance of RNZI (now called RNZ Pacific), producing some 30 bulletins of news each day. Shortwave still makes sense because of the vast distances. There are problems with the license of independent station Star Radio in Monrovia, Liberia. They are funded by USAID. We look at the challenges facing documentary makers. We compare the glory days of radio theatre, programmes like The Shadow and Tales of Two Cities. Lots of quotes from Orson Welles. He explains that most directors and writers are actors. We have another visit to the documentary festival "Boundless Sound" in Amsterdam and hear from Chris Brooks of the CBC. ABC Australia argues that the "Listening Room" project works. Michiel Matszer says there may be too many documentaries being made in the Netherlands. 20-30,000 listeners daily, but each documentary may take a month to produce. Victor Goonetilleke explains the launch of student radio. The SLBC loaned a 50-watt transmitter, especially at science festival. He also reports Myanmar is being heard quite well in North America. Mike Bird's report comes from a phone box, as Mike is on holiday.