UK/Poland: Anglo-Polish community broadcaster to go live in May

25 April 2006

BBC Monitoring Media

English

(c)2006 The British Broadcasting Corporation. All Rights Reserved. No material maybe reproduced except with the express permission of The British BroadcastingCorporation.

Excerpt from press release by London-based Radio Orla on 25 April

Radio Orla, the new and exciting information and entertainment Anglo-Polish community radiostation in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, is delighted to confirmthat its live broadcasting will begin on 18 May 2006.

But you can already hear a sample of output from 30 April 2006 direct from the website.It features reports, and exclusively showcases the entire new tribute album forPolish Pope John Paul II from Warsaw songwriter and radio presenter MarcinStyczen.

The station is the result of months of feedback from the community and meticulous preparationsby a group of experienced radio people with Polish connections.

Radio Orla has identified a considerable need and opportunity for an Anglo-Polish radiostation engaged with its community that can relate Polish issues to British andIrish authorities, as well as to Poles back in Poland thinking of coming to theUK and Ireland.

Radio Orla will be working with major media groups, including radio stations in Poland, tobring Poles and others a taste of Polish life everyday online at http://www.radio-orla.com

In keeping with innovation on the internet and reinforcing our European ties, weare also accessible via http://www.radio-orla.eu, taking advantage of the world's newest URL domain name.

The date 18 May was chosen because it will mark the day when Pope John Paul II,Karol Jozef Wojtyla, was born in 1920 in Wadowice in southern Poland.

Joanna Figlak, news editor of Radio Orla, says: "On 2 April, Poles andother Roman Catholics came together to remember the sad day a year ago when we lost Pope John Paul II. But we are also very proud of his achievements for theChurch and the identity of Poland on the world stage. For that reason we havechosen to launch our community radio station on a day which would have been apositive and uplifting celebration, the Polish Pope's 86th birthday.

"Symbolism has always played an important part in Slavic life, such as Poland. We haveeven been careful to choose a phone number which pays tribute to the heroism ofPolish Royal Air Force pilots who in World War II defended the skies from Doverto London. We chose a number which bears the squadron's number - 303."

Radio Orla sees its function as a unifying role for the community, and welcomescooperation with Polish media in the UK and Ireland, which will help boost their image in the community and give listeners quality news and entertainment.

Asan Anglo-Polish language station, Radio Orla will give people of other communities a taste of Polish culture too, promote Poland, celebrate its heritage, encourage people to learn about Poland and eradicate prejudiceswherever they may occur.

Radio Orla also invites interested parties, businesses and individual benefactors to donate to this community-based station and to ensure it can serve the community.

Source:Radio Orla press release, London, in English 25 Apr 06