Having read the unique African anarchism we embarked upon the idea of launching a plan for spreading the word of Freedom and Statelessness to the cotinent that needs it most: through good old decent radio, short wave preferably, maybe some medium wave - well, we can dream, cannot we: best feasible of course is radio through the Internet, but that means counting out most people, not only in what we still should call Third World countries. So, virtual radio for frica for the time being - you are cordially invited to e-mail us about your ideas, or leave a note in the guestbook (but do leave your e-mail adddress!).
No Internet Radio: real radio - and on the 13, 16, 19, 25, 31, 41, 49 and 75m bands, let us not be miserly! Having at least eight frequencies allows the possibility of split services to several parts of the world and Africa in particular. Medium wave of course has got more limited coverage, but I remember too well enjoying my daily dose of Fairouz and Oum Khalsoum through Radio Algiers or Tunis, listening in Amsterdam. MW can still serve a large area, if well located. But where?
Leaving that aside, let us first consider in which languages the radiostation should broadcast. You cannot really leave out the colonial European languages: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish perhaps, and being based in the Netherlands we can easily think of Dutch/Afrikaans, but that is where problems are coming up already.
Even with split services over eight or more frequencies, you can easily think of the problem attached to the idea of reaching as many people you want to reach - and not many people will be able to understand the colonial European languages. Well, since this is still a virtual radiostation looking for support from whomever wants to sign up to this idea, we shall not stick to language problems too long.
That Arab, Suaheli, Hausa and other widespread languages should be included seems all too logical. Let us round up for the time being and launch the question into the virtual void of cyberspace, asking: What contribution do you want to make, and what are you actually able to do in the future?
This page will be regularly updated with new ideas coming in from readers of this page and whatever comes our way. Think locally, act globally! L'union fait la force, if you see what we mean. Please turn to the page containing information on African anarchism. Meanwhile, we received a
My name is Tim "DL" Nevin. Many of you probably know me already, but in case you don't, I am a friend of Sam Mbah's and of the Awareness League in Nigeria.
The Awareness League is a 1000 member Anarcho-Syndicalist group in Nigeria that is organizing alternatives to the corrupt mainstream unions. They are a social movement which is expanding.
This letter is to let everyone know of my current plans for an upcoming trip to Nigeria on May 8th, 2000. I am associated with the Autonomous Zone here in Chicago, as well as the local low-powered FM community radio station "Free Radio West Town". Ever since Sam stayed with me on his book promotional tour 2 years ago, we have been in contact via email. While he was in Chicago he was interviewed by myself for Free Radio West Town, an interview which was later aired.
Sam and his fellow comrades in the Awareness League have expressed intense interest in starting up their very own low-powered FM Radio station in Nigeria. With my trip, I intend to deliver all the equipment for such a station, and assist in set-up, training, etc. Ever since the death of military dictator Sani Abacha, a few years ago, the political climate has warmed quite a bit. There is now more room for freedom of expression, including dissenting opinions. The Awareness League are now going through the regular channels to get an actual license so the station will have legal protection. All they need is the equipment and the expertise. The station will be quite similar technically to Free Radio West Town- 100 watt stereo, with the capability to broadcast to a radius of 5-10 miles depending on the antenna height. This covers lots of potential listeners in an urban area like Enugu City.
As a founding member of our radio station here in Chicago, I have been operation this same equipment for over 2 years. Of course all parts will be tested before being taken over.
The only thing that remains in order to make this trip a success are funds in order to purchase the equipment and the plane tickets. The expenses are as follows...
1. Radio Equipment (transmitter, power supply, SWR meter, antenna, 100 feet RG-8 coaxial cable). (~$1,200).
2. Audio Equipment- (mixing board with balanced outputs, 2 CD players, Double cassette deck, turntable, microphone, connectors, etc.) (~$800) (Some of these can be bought in Nigeria).
3. Airline tickets- My plan is to go by bus to New York, Fly to London, and get an economical flight to Lagos, Nigeria. (round-trip ~$1000).
estimate of total needed: $3,000. (I would pay for my own expenses while in Nigeria.)
This trip cannot happen without your support. All donations are tax deductable, and can be sent to: Tim DL Nevin 1646 W. LeMoyne #3F Chicago, IL 60622-2239
or; AL-Nigeria Radio Project c/o Aspect Foundation P.O. Box 853, Stuyvesant Station New York, NY 10009
Thank you very much for your support in helping to make this vision a reality. If donors send me their email addresses, I will make a list and keep everyone updated on the progress of the trip as well as updates from Nigeria when possible. Any Questions? please email me at "esperanto@onebox.com", or call evenings (773)235-3520. -Tim "DL" Nevin
Tim "DL" Nevin esperanto@onebox.com - email (773) 377-5006 x7725 - voicemail/fax