“Voices of the world; free the Airwaves,” was the theme of the Ninth World Conference on Community Radio (AMARC 9) that was held in Amman, Jordan from November 11 to 17, 2006. Around 350 participants from 94 countries attended the conference organized by the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) with a strong message for the development of community radio in the Middle East and North Africa.

The government of India has recently legitimised community radio in the country, a decision supported by the World Association of Community Broadcasters (AMARC) and Isis International-Manila.

Nadi, Fiji Islands—Top media representatives gathered together to discuss and devise a “Pacific Women Media Action Plan” on September 21-22, 2006 aimed to promote gender equality in the region. 

For the second time this year, the Hong Kong government's Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) and police officers raided Citizen Radio, an underground radio station run by a group of activists. In both incidents, which happened in August 29 and October 13, the government and police officers arrested the organisers and confiscated their equipment. 

 

“Asia Media Report: A Crisis Within,” a report on media trends in Asia produced and coordinated by Inter Press Service (IPS) Asia-Pacific, is now available.

This year, Isis International-Manila and Women Writers of Mindanao, Inc. (MinWow) teamed up to develop and conduct “Women Making Airwaves for Peace,” a five-day training program in three different cities in Mindanao, Philippines, namely, Cagayan de Oro,  Zamboanga, and Cotabato.