Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Another strike disrupts Radio France International

Radio France International (RFI) is once again being affected by an indefinite strike called by staff unions protesting about what they call “irreversible and costly reforms”. They are demanding a “cessation of the ongoing reforms,” which include a move from the Radio France building in Paris to the suburb of Issy-les-Moulineaux, a proposed merger of the editorial staff of RFI and France 24, and a social plan.

RFI is part of l’Audiovisuel Extérieur de la France (AEF), a public company which also includes the international TV channel France 24 and the French part of TV5 Monde. The AEF has been undermined for months by a war between its president Alain de Pouzilhac and his number two Christine Ockrent. Mr de Pouzilhac is currently the subject of a parliamentary fact-finding mission and an investigation into his accounts at the request of the Prime Minister.

Shortwave monitor Glenn Hauser today noted that the Portuguese service at 0600 UTC was replaced by French music. A note on RFI’s English website says “Due to a strike action, some of RFI’s services may be disrupted on Wednesday, including broadcasts and our website. We apologise for any inconvenience.”

(Source: AFP/RFI via Media Network Weblog)

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