vigilant TV

Via The Agonist, AP says US forces plan to distribute 200,000 shortwave radio receivers to people across Afghanistan. Shortwave might seem like an archaic concept these days, but it’s still a popular news source in areas with limited electricity and communications lines. It’s perhaps worth noting that shortwave is most effective for long range broadcasting; many regular broadcasters are national stations transmitting to an international audience.

The radios would be given to Afghans for free to allow them ‘’unfettered access to many sources of news,’’ he said. Most of Afghanistan lacks a regular supply of electricity.

Hilferty gave no further details about the cost of the radios or their distribution. The radios are powered by a crank.

– AP, U.S.-led coalition to distribute 200,000 radios in Afghanistan.