Montserrat: Information on a radio station called Radio Antilles, on its present-day operations, and if no longer in operation, on the circumstances of its closure, on its ownership, management and corporate affiliations, 1970 to present
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MSR26996.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Montserrat: Information on a radio station called Radio Antilles, on its present-day operations, and if no longer in operation, on the circumstances of its closure, on its ownership, management and corporate affiliations, 1970 to present, 1 May 1997, MSR26996.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac562f.html [accessed 19 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A 24 May 1997 Houston Chronicle article as well as a 23 May 1997 Reuters article state that Montserrat's Radio Antilles will shut down its operation by the end of the month because of the island's active volcano and the station's financial situation. The sources state that the radio station was forced to relocate following a volcano eruption in July 1995 and that the relocation has caused operational difficulties (ibid.). Please consult the attached Reuters article for additional information.
Europa 1996 states that Radio Antilles was founded in 1963 and that the name of the chair is Dr. H. Fellhauer and the managing director's, Kristian Knaack (1996, 3383). A 5 June 1989 IPS report also identifies Kristian Knaack as the station's general manager. According to the Associated Press (AP) and Europa, the radio station is government-controlled (23 Aug. 1995; 1996, 3383).
Two 1992 reports state that Radio Antilles resumed its broadcasting activities that year after being taken off the air because of the damages caused by Hurricane Hugo in 1989 (Cana 28 May 1992; Miami Herald 24 Sept. 1992). The Cana report adds that the station would reopen under a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) management contract but that the actual ownership would be in the hands of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) (28 May 1992). The information about OECS ownership is corroborated by the 24 September 1992 Miami Herald article. Europa 1996 adds that the government of Montserrat acquired the radio station on behalf of the OECS in 1989 (1996, 3383). Please consult the attached Cana report for more information on the new management of Radio Antilles.
Several sources state that prior to the closing of Radio Antilles in 1989 and its government take-over, the radio's major funding source, the German-based company Deutche Welle, was planning to withdraw its financial support from the station (Cana 9 June 1989; IPS 5 June 1989; Miami Herald 24 Sept. 1992). Please consult the attached IPS article for more information on Deutche Welle's financial withdrawal.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
The Associated Press (AP). 23 August 1995. PM Cycle. Michelle Faul. "Montserrat Evacuates Capital as Major Eruption Looms." (NEXIS)
Cana [Barbados, in English]. 28 May 1992. "Radio Antilles to be Reactivated Under BBC Management." (BBC Summary 9 June 1992/NEXIS)
_____. 9 June 1989. "Montserrat; Reported Plans to End FRG Subsidy of Loss-Making Radio Antilles." (BBC Summary 27 June 1989/NEXIS)
The Europa World Year Book 1996. 1996. 37th ed. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications.
The Houston Chronicle. 24 May 1997. "Volcano Turns off Station." (NEXIS)
Inter Press Service (IPS). 5 June 1989. "Caribbean: Future Uncertain for West German-Funded Radio Service." (NEXIS)
Miami Herald. 24 September 1992. "Radio Antilles Finally Resumes Full Broadcasts." (NEXIS)
Reuters. 23 May 1997. BC Cycle. "Montserrat Volcano Forces Radio Station Shutdown." (NEXIS)
Attachments
Cana [Barbados, in English]. 28 May 1992. "Radio Antilles to be Reactivated Under BBC Management." (BBC Summary 9 June 1992/NEXIS)
Inter Press Service (IPS). 5 June 1989. "Caribbean: Future Uncertain for West German-Funded Radio Service." (NEXIS)
Reuters. 23 May 1997. BC Cycle. "Montserrat Volcano Forces Radio Station Shutdown." (NEXIS)
