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La Voz community radio station repeatedly searched by investigative police; government introduces bill to legalise such stations' status

(AMARC/IFEX) - On 4 July 2008, La Voz community radio station, located in the Estación Central neighbourhood of Chile's capital, Santiago, reported that its premises had been searched several times by investigative police since 30 June.

It should be noted that these searches have occurred while the government itself has been drafting a legislative bill on community radio stations aimed at facilitating their legal status and providing better operating conditions.

La Voz, which has a broadcasting range of three kilometres, carries out important work providing an avenue for the opinions, problems and life experiences of the residents of its neighbourhood to be heard; it has, in its own words, a "critical vision, and lots of content focusing on social, cultural and educational themes."

The station calls for solidarity to "prevent these kinds of attacks on our initiatives, our work and above all, on our labour as alternative media outlets."

AMARC-Latin America and the Caribbean (AMARC-LAC) expresses its support for La Voz. It also expresses to the government its deep concern that this is not the first incident in recent months involving attacks on community or alternative radio stations or their staff (see AMARC's statement on Radio Primero de Mayo, http://legislaciones.item.org.uy/index?q=node/621 )

For further information on the Radio Primero de Mayo radio station case, see: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/93282