By Bouli Hadjioannou
SOMEONE is interfering with Radio Astra’s frequency in Nicosia’s Acropolis areas, but only the arrival of new equipment next month will help solve the mystery, the House Communications Committee heard yesterday.
Officials said they suspected an “irresponsible person” was retransmitting the programmes of Ayios Demetris station on occasions – and interfering with Radio Astra.
The interference was not permanent, the Ayios Demetris station itself was not responsible, and existing equipment had been unable to track down the culprit, they said.
Delivery of new £200,000 worth of up to date equipment in mid-January should help resolve the problem, they added.
But Akel deputy and Astra director Takis Hadjigeorghiou, who took the issue to the committee, was not satisfied.
He said the interference was permanent and has been continuing for some time. And he said the equipment had initially been promised in December. “When they say January I understand this to mean March at the earliest.”
Other deputies suggested Ayios Demetris be asked to change its frequency even for a short time, to ensure trouble-free transmissions for Astra over the election period.
Lazaros Savvides of the Communications Ministry said he would be willing to propose such radical action if he was convinced there was regular interference.
He said earlier this year Ayios Demetris had been closed down temporarily for technical changes to eliminate problems. It has since been regularly checked and found to be operating in line with regulations.
Andreas Zenios of the Consultative Broadcasting Committee said such problems were inevitable as long as radio and television stations were located within inhabited areas. Long-term plans should be for all stations to move out of the towns.
It was decided that new checks will be carried out this week, and the committee will be notified on what action the ministry plans to take.
The priest in charge of Ayios Demetrios said any change in the frequency would entail costs. He said he himself had never heard any interference on Astra, but that he would abide with any decision.
