93.6 Ram FM takes to the air in the Middle East - in Ramallah and Jerusalem - in English, thanks to South African backing.
If anyone should know about creating peace in a potentially explosive situation, it is the South Africans.
Johannesburg entrepreneur Issie Kirsh of Primedia has launched a state-of-the-art FM radio station broadcasting 24 hours a day in English to audiences across Israel and Palestine in an attempt to get people in the Middle East talking to each other. “There is a need for a daily debate on the issues affecting both Israelis and Palestinians,” he says, “and this is the driving force behind 93.6 Ram FM. We are doing it in English, which will also soon open the broadcasts to international listeners via satellite."
93.6 RAM FM has studios in Ramallah and Jerusalem
93.6 Ram FM is licensed by the Palestinian Authority, with digital studios in Ramallah and Jerusalem.
Its 24-hour line-up includes interviews with high-profile newsmakers and audience phone-ins. The new service is based closely on the South African 702 Talk Radio format which set the pace for public debate on air during the volatile decade leading up to South Africa’s 1994 democratic elections.
John Berks, legendary 702 deejay hosts the morning show on 93.6 Ram FM
Legendary 702 deejay John Berks hosts his Breakfast show from the Jerusalem studio. He compares his new audience to the one he knew in South Africa when Nelson Mandela walked free and the world tuned in to witness the momentous social changes taking place.
Berks sees 93.6 Ram FM covering a similar transformation in its own communities. “That same global interest is now focused on the Middle East,” he says. “I'm neither Israeli nor Palestinian but I feel that same buzz in the street. The people know what they want to talk about and my job is to deliver what the audience wants.”
Other daytime presenters are award-winners from Australia and Europe, with hand-picked Israeli and Palestinian newcomers hosting shows from the Jerusalem and Ramallah studios.
Middle East Eyewitness News on 93.6 Ram FM
The Radio Station’s independent Middle East Eyewitness News service is a major feature of the innovative 93.6 Ram FM. Hourly bulletins are a first in a region where Israeli commercial stations take their news service from State radio.
The copyright of the article 93.6 Ram FM Peace Radio in Middle Eastern Affairs is owned by Karen Lotter. Permission to republish 93.6 Ram FM Peace Radio in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I dont receive the signal to ram fm the jerusalem in tel aviv what
happen? this is the best and the only raioin english here!!!!!!!!111
Sep 26, 2008 12:40 AM
Guest :
Hey Why here in tel aviv I cant listen to you station...Im an avid listener
of your station....Is there any reception problem?
Oct 11, 2008 12:51 PM
Guest :
hey iam m.d from west jordan ,,,ram fm signal now is cutted whats goin
on,,,,i cant live without it,,
Nov 4, 2008 10:54 PM
Guest :
I live in Rehovot and don`t get the signal either. what`s-up
Nov 8, 2008 10:46 AM
Guest :
I can't receive it on Nilesat anymore !! why?? what's up?
Jan 3, 2009 11:05 PM
Guest :
Are you the same John Berks (Berkowitz)who broadcast from Radio 702 in
South Africa.
Mar 6, 2009 9:14 PM
Guest :
i used to live in Jerusalem. While there I penned a song called Isn't There
Enough God..It's been played in the States on the air, on TV, it's sung
here by school children and adults. It's huge in Alaska, of all places. But
I would love to get it back to Israel. It's very moving and gets a person
thinking. Do you ever play music on your station? Our song is at
www.vocalsbylocals.com on Shannon's page. ENOUGH GOD. Please do not be
put off by the pretty teenagers. The song is REAL.
Mar 14, 2009 11:33 PM
Guest :
hey its s-n agin I wasent abaeled to listen to you laitly so I wish you
write me in the comments agin cuz i cant found your radio on main so pleas
write to me telling me when you are on air
Mar 31, 2009 2:09 AM
Guest :
I am unable to find the online radio streaming and I hear that RAM FM was
closed in Jerusalem, by an Israeli raid due to come licensing problems, is
that true?
Mar 31, 2009 2:14 AM
Karen Lotter :
Ram FM officially closed down at 7pm on 7 August 2008 with the final song
being Give Peace a Chance by John Lennon. The reason cited in the final
moments was the lack of advertising revenue required to run the station.
However, the real reason behind the closure of the Station is not clear.
The station is missed by many English speakers in the region.
RAM FM was awarded two international prizes for the significant role it
played in the region. The owner and chairman of the station in South Africa
applauded the management's role in making the station a success which was
reflected in the increase in its listenership.
