Mar 01, 2013

Mapuche: First Radio Station In Argentina


A new radio station has launched for the Mapuche in Esquel, Argentina, the first in the country.

 Below is an article published by the Argentina Independent:

 

Today saw the launching of the the first Mapuche Tehuelche radio in Argentina. FM Trauwleiñ To Kom 89.7 started operating at 10am in the town of Esquel, province of Chubut.

 

The FM radio has been opened in the framework of the Audiovisual Communication Services Law (22.522), usually referred to as the “Media Law” -enacted in October 2009- which establishes the possibility for indigenous people to open radio and TV services (article 151). It is the first indigenous radio to open in the country as a consequence of the new Media Law. In December last year [2012], a Mapuche TV station opened in the nearby town of Bariloche.

 

Article 151 of the law establishes one of its objectives, which is to preserve and promote the identity and cultural values of the indigenous community.

 

“The Mapuche Tehuelche people of Chubut exercise their right to communicate with identity”, says the radio’s presentation poster. It is the first time that these actors are included in the media system.

 

“Having earned the right to participate in the communication system, we exercise it from our territories, working with the national state, the communities, and as indigenous people” says Aldo Cayulef, leader of the community. “It is a great way for us to defend our culture and start to use the new technologies” he added.

 

‘Trauwleiñ To Kom’, means ‘We are all getting together’ in Mapuzungún (the Mapuche language).

 

The opening ceremony counted with the presence and support of various national institutions as the Federal Authority of the Audiovisual and Communication services (AFSCA), the National Institute of Indigenous affairs (INAI), and the National Commission of Communications (CNC).