Coming hot on the heels of an announcement by Swiss Radio International that it too is phasing out shortwave over the next few years, some think they are witnessing the beginning of the end of shortwave broadcasting. In a sense, they're right.
Nothing is forever.
Let's take a closer look at the issues. So any decision it takes is based on a position of strength, not weakness. Furthermore, these are in friendly countries where the chance of political interference in the free redistribution of the BBC's output is extremely remote, to say the least. This is in marked contrast with a number of cities in Africa, where some international broadcasters have had local FM relays disrupted when they have carried material considered 'hostile' by the government of the host country. Therefore, for an increasing number of people, there is an alternative, even where no local partner station exists.