Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Lack of information during 2005 famine triggers set-up of new Papua radio service

Posted at 04:23 on 14 September, 2007 UTC

The head of a Indonesia’s only independent radio news agency, 68 H, says their decision to establish a new service in the Papua region was triggered by a deadly famine in 2005.

People in Papua’s Yahukimo district have welcomed the launch of a new radio station, Pikonane, which can be reached in their area on 1278 kHz all day long.

As well as news, Pikonane radio also broadcasts information of local interest on issues such as farming and health.

68 H’s managing-director, known as Santoso, says a lack of available information and communication hindered efforts to combat the famine which hit Yahukimo in 2005 and caused 60 deaths.

“There are many basic issues and problems on daily life here, like education, health problems and economic standards which are so low. So that’s why we want to contribute by opening the programme, especially in Yahukimo, to discuss the problem and find out the solution.”

68 H’s managing-director, Santoso.