Italian radio station clears the air so
American counterpart can broadcast
By Kent Harris, Stars
and Stripes
Thanks to the generosity of an Italian radio station, Armed Forces Network Radio
listeners in Vicenza, Italy, once again have two American programming options on the dial.
Radio Milano International, whose stronger signal effectively has taken AFN’s FM
107.0 frequency off the air for much of the past year, agreed to turn down the power
— temporarily — after a request from Lt. Col. Nelson McCouch, commander of AFN
South.
"They went down on their power a little bit to let us get out command
information," said McCouch, who requested the move after the terrorist attacks Sept.
11. "They replied almost immediately.
"It is an incredible sign of compassion and cooperation for RMI to allow us to
operate without interference. It really demonstrates the solidarity between our two
countries in this time of crisis."
What makes the move more remarkable is that AFN and the Milan-based station are
battling each other in court over the rights to the frequency.
According to McCouch, AFN has been broadcasting at the 106.0 and 107.0 frequencies
across Italy for more than 40 years. But since last fall, when RMI started broadcasting on
107, its more powerful transmitter squashed the broadcasts in the Vicenza area. That meant
programming, including news, talk and sports – often carried on the AM band in
Germany – wasn’t getting through. Listeners in Vicenza could still hear music on
the 106 frequency.
RMI’s transmitter is located about 50 yards from AFN’s and broadcasts at a
considerably higher power.
"They just blow us off the air," McCouch said.
Lello Orso, operations manager for RMI’s sister station — Radio 101 —
said the station turned down the power, likely costing itself listeners, after
McCouch’s request.
"The reason that we did so is to permit the American Forces to broadcast important
messages to troops around the area," he said, adding he didn’t know how long the
station would keep its power turned down.
So there’s a very real possibility that AFN’s 107.0 programming eventually
will again be off the air.
Mark Oswald, chief of civil law at the Southern European Task Force (Airborne),
isn’t optimistic that the case — currently before a regional administration
court in Lazio — will be resolved soon.
"It could be a long time before a decision is reached," he said. The two
sides have been before several courts arguing the case for months.
Oswald said AFN has been broadcasting on the two frequencies since 1982, after a
memorandum of understanding was reached between the two countries. A landmark 1985 court
case in Italy opened up more frequencies to the public, and also clouded the picture.
McCouch said he believes a mixup at a government agency led to RMI getting approval to
start broadcasting at 107.
Oswald said the issue is not a political one of an Italian station vs. a U.S. station,
but an economic one for the Italians.
"There are huge sums of money involved [in the broadcasting business]," he
said.
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