page_title: Mass media in Mali
section_title: Radio
hierarchical_section_title: Mass media in Mali / Radio
context_page_description: The mass media in Mali includes print, radio, television, and the Internet.
  Radio is the primary means of mass communication in Mali. In practice, widespread poverty and the low literacy rate, as well as poor distribution outside of Bamako, limit access to television and print media. Mali has more than 125 radio stations as well as one television station. The former government-controlled radio and television broadcasting company is officially autonomous, but it has been accused by the political opposition of having a progovernment bias. Foreign radio programs are widely available through local media, and foreign satellite and cable television programs also are accessible, especially in Bamako.
  There has been an explosion of print media since 1992 in conjunction with the initiation of multiparty democracy. In 2003 print media included 42 private newspapers and journals published in French, Arabic, and various national languages. The expression of a broad range of views, including those critical of the government, is permitted.
context_section_description: Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision du Mali (ORTM) is the national broadcasting entity. It offers two radio stations, a national format radio station and Station 2 created in 1993 and transmitting on FM.
  Around 150 private radios stations exist, accessible on the FM band. 
  The rural radio network has grown rapidly.  Access to information in local languages has a considerable impact for the people in terms of quality of life and the implications for the management of local affairs affecting their communities. More and more radio stations have begun broadcasting on the Internet. The challenge is the economic return needed to sustain these media centers and the costs of technical maintenance services for radio stations themselves. Through the network of the Union of Free Radio and Television of Mali (URTEL) radios can be connected together to cover major events such as football or track the 1997 legislative elections.
  Radio stations include:
  Office de Radiodiffusion Television du Mali (ORTM) (public network of national and regional stations)
  Radio Bamakan (community station, Bamako)
  Radio Benkan (Bamako)
  Radio Canal 2000 (Bamako)
  Radio Frequence 3 (FR3) (commercial, Bamako)
  Radio Guintan (Bamako)
  Radio Kaira (Bamako)
  Radio Kledu (commercial, Bamako)
  Radio Liberte (commercial, Bamako)
  Radio Patriote (commercial, Bamako)
  Radio Rurale (network of community stations)
  Radio Tabale (Bamako)
  Voix du Coran (Islamic station, Bamako)
  The president of URTEL, Moussa Keïta, recalls that "We like to say that the 'Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision du Mali (ORTM) is the Voice of Mali and the local radio stations are the Voice of Malians." 
  Radio France internationale (RFI) is especially popular with listeners. Its news programs are broadcast by many local radio stations. BBC and Voice of America are also available in French in partnership with local radio stations. 
  It is also possible to listen to French radio through a subscription with French-owned CanalSat Horizons.
caption: Children watching television in a village in Mali
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