From: AMARC@p2.f406.n250.z1.Fidonet.Org (AMARC)
Subject: AMARC Action Network
Originator: wdp@gagme
Organization: GAGME - Public Access UNIX of Chicago, Illinois, USA, Earth
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 06:32:19 GMT




A solidarity network for community radio
========================================

The AMARC Emergency Action Network is an initiative arising from
the workshop on solidarity at the AMARC 5 conference in held in
Mexico in August 1992. The main purpose of the network is to
mobilise the worldwide community radio movement in defence of
community radio broadcasters whose right to freedom of speech is
threatened.

At the workshop participants, were provided with some actual
examples of the types of threats encountered. these included:

     * Government and military censorship of the broadcasts of
     Radio Enriquillo in the Dominican Republic
     * Multiple attacks on a Peruvian community radio station by
     the Shining Path guerrilla movement
     * Military occupation of Radio Echo of Moscow during the
     1991 coup
     * The closing of a campus-based station with anti-racist
     programming in South Africa
     * An unlicenced Afro-American broadcaster in Illinois was
     the target of an assasination attempt by unidentified
     persons

A preliminary plan was developed and regional representatives
were assigned the task of evaluating the needs and possibilities
available to community radio stations in their regions. Based on
the reports received and on research conducted by the staff of
the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) in
Montreal, Canada we are making the following proposal for your
comments and suggestions.



Structure and Operation of the Network
======================================

For the purposes of the Network we have divided the world into
nineteen regions (this number may change as we develop new
contacts and reassess the workload and resources of regional
coordinators). Each region has one or more regional coordinators.
AMARC's office in Canada will serve an overall coordinating
function.

When a community radio station or journalist is in trouble, they
will send an "action alert" to their regional coordinator,
detailing the problem and suggesting the type of action required.
The regional coordinator will circulate this information within
the region and fax or email it to AMARC's head office. AMARC will
translate the alert and send it, in English, French and Spanish,
to the regional coordinators for distribution to participating
radio stations and institutions in their regions.


What is an Emergency and What Kind of Action?
=============================================

The Network will use a broad definition of emergency as any real
or threatened censorship, violence, legislative interference,
military or police intervention etc. that seriously restricts a
station's ability to serve its community.

Since the purpose of the Network is to help defend threatened
stations, each alert will include some suggestions for actions to
be taken. Requested actions could include sending letters or
faxes of support or protest, emergency funding campaigns, or
publicizing the situation to listeners.


Responsibilities of Regional Coordinators
=========================================
     1) Regional Coordinators will contact radio stations and
     institutions in their regions to let them know of the
     existence of the Network and how it operates. Radio stations
     should be aware of how to contact the Coordinator if they
     require support from the Network and they should know that
     they may be called upon to support other stations.

     2) Regional Coordinators will receive action alert requests
     directly from radio stations in their region and from other
     regions via AMARC. Alerts coming from their region will be
     immediately transmitted to AMARC for worldwide distribution.

     3) Regional Coordinators will distribute action alerts to
     participating radio stations and institutions in their
     regions.

     4) Regional Coordinators will attempt to find local
     financial and other support for the Network's work within
     the region.

While our immediate goal to deal with one action alert monthly is
a relatively modest one, it is clear that the work of the
Regional Coordinators will take time and resources. For this
reason we have tried to identify Coordinators who have the time,
institutional support, and resources to do the work.


AMARC's Responsibilities
========================

     1) AMARC will receive action alert requests from Regional
     Coordinators or directly from radio stations or
     broadcasters. Requests will be evaluated and appropriate
     action will be decided on.

     2) Once the decision is taken to circulate an action alert
     in the network, AMARC will immediately translate the request
     and transmit it by fax or email to the Regional
     Coordinators.

     3) AMARC will coordinate periodic evaluations of the
     Network's work.


Comments and suggestions on the above proposal are welcome.

     :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
     ::  Bruce Girard                       bgirard@sfu.ca          ::
     ::  3575 blvd. St-Laurent, Suite 704   resystom@web.apc.org    ::
     ::  Montreal, Quebec   CANADA          web!resystom            ::
     :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

--- GoldED 2.40
 * Origin:  RESYSTOM - Montreal, Canada  (1:250/406.2)

Newsgroups: rec.radio.broadcasting