Haitian Radio: A Link to the World.

The earthquake that struck Haiti in recent times have left damage and chaos in its midst. The exception to the rule has been Signal FM with its news and music. It ws a decision made by its manager Mario Viau.

Signal FM was one of the few stations that remained on the air by playing background music during the quake while its staff escaped from the building. Signal FM remained on the air using multiple generators and via receipt of contributions from international organizations and the Haitian Government.

During the time of the earthquake, Signal FM promised to remain on the air to provide information and news. People have been sending reports about conditions in their area and about those who have died or have been trapped under buildings.

At the same time, members of the US Armed Forces have been giving hand or solar powered radios to almost 80,000 Haitians at Petionville [ a suburb of Port Au Prince]. Many have used the radios to their advantage.

While there have been people who criticized the radio as an old fashioned instrument, it should be remembered that at times radio has been a powerful instrument in times of natural disasters. The udnerwriter can vouch for that since he listened to his shortwave radio during the Katrina Hurricane in Miami Florida in 2005.