Exactly one year ago today, Israeli police raided the radio station RAM FM in Jerusalem. The raid signalled the beginning of the end, and the station eventually closed down in August. I had the privilege to work at the station for a few months just before it went off the air. It was a great project, and it ended due to gross mismanagement of the station, and most probably political pressure. We’ll never know.
All I know is, that every one of us who worked there wishes someone, somewhere would pick up the gauntlet…
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1207486215081&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1218104259920
A policeman and staff during the raid, April 7 2008
Half & Half 
I was in Ramallah that day. After Ram Fm was off, we were like – damn. So what are we going to listen to now??
Almost every Anglo I know (and that’s quite a few) either listened to, or was at least aware of RAM’s existence. I can’t believe that they didn’t manage to find some advertising to at least contribute to their own existence.
It left a real gap. I hope that one day we’ll see another English-language station here.
I know of some others, myself included, who are thinking about just how to start another station here. As for now, I’m clueless.
Thanx for the comment Tim, my wife and I are huge fans of the show 🙂
Thanks, that’s two people at least 🙂
I also know some people who are thinking about how to start another station here – maybe they’re the same people that you know.
Personally, I don’t see digital radio taking off here (AFAIK nobody responded the tender to build the infrastructure). The market is relatively small, and I suspect noone will take the risk in the current climate. Internet radio is very nice, and growing – but you still can’t jump in your car and listen to it, yet. AM is just about dead. So that leaves us with FM. RAM had a fantastic opportunity with the license from the PA. Following their demise, I suspect that avenue is now closed – or at least a good deal more difficult.
So, I dunno – would love to hear about any other feasible way of doing it.