RAM FM was an independent English-speaking radio station broadcasting from

Ramallah Ramallah ( , ; ar, رام الله, , God's Height) is a Palestinian city in the central West Bank that serves as the ''de facto'' administrative capital of the State of Palestine. It is situated on the Judaean Mountains, north of Jerusale ...

Palestine __NOTOC__ Palestine may refer to: * State of Palestine, a state in Western Asia * Palestine (region), a geographic region in Western Asia * Palestinian territories, territories occupied by Israel since 1967, namely the West Bank (including East ...

History

Radio 702's success in Johannesburg, South Africa – in

Primedia Broadcasting Primedia is a South African media group, headquartered in Sandton, Johannesburg. History Primedia was established in 1994 and its listing on the JSE Securities Exchange was completed in April 1995. Primedia remained listed on the JSE until 1 ...

's stable of four radio stations – led Issie Kirsh, the founder and first chairperson, to seek to emulate this winning formula in Israel and Palestine. In 2004, Issie Kirsh met Raf Gangat, the former South African Representative to the Palestinian Authority, and the seed was planted. Three years later, after much research, groundwork and implementation, 93.6 RAM FM was born – a licensed radio station, broadcasting from Palestine into Israel and Jordan, with studios in

and Jerusalem with Gangat hosting one of the main shows 9@9 which gained popularity thanks to Raf's diplomatic experience and knowledge in the region. The Talk@10 was the main segment of the show and Palestinian and Israeli officials were hosted to discuss contentious issues. The Hot AC Music Format created a

listenership Audience measurement measures how many people are in an audience, usually in relation to radio listenership and television viewership, but also in relation to newspaper and magazine readership and, increasingly, web traffic on websites. Sometim ...

Palestinians Palestinians ( ar, الفلسطينيون, ; he, פָלַסְטִינִים, ) or Palestinian people ( ar, الشعب الفلسطيني, label=none, ), also referred to as Palestinian Arabs ( ar, الفلسطينيين العرب, label=non ...

, Israelis and Jordanians as well as a substantial number of foreign nationals who worked for Embassies, UN and international organizations and foreign press in the region. 93.6 RAM FM’s format comprised music, Middle East news on the hour, presenters from South Africa, Palestine, England and Australia. Its intent was to create a bridge between Palestinians and Israelis, providing a platform for both sides to discuss and listen to the other’s narrative and thereby create meaningful understanding. With Studios in

and Jerusalem, connected by

microwave link Microwave transmission is the transmission of information by electromagnetic waves with wavelengths in the microwave frequency range of 300MHz to 300GHz(1 m - 1 mm wavelength) of the electromagnetic spectrum. Microwave signals are normally lim ...

, it employed state-of-the-art technology which is used by modern media today. Middle East Eyewitness News was ‘in touch, in tune and independent’. In order to maintain neutrality, the station played only English music and opted to air only

commercials A television advertisement (also called a television commercial, TV commercial, commercial, spot, television spot, TV spot, advert, television advert, TV advert, television ad, TV ad or simply an ad) is a span of television programming produce ...

from multinational brands.

Awards

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 unprecedented increase in its listenership within a short period of time.

Closure

Ram FM officially closed down at 7pm on 7 August 2008 with the final song being Give Peace a Chance by John Lennon after less than two years on air.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:RAM FM 93.6 Radio stations in the State of Palestine Mass media in Ramallah Hot adult contemporary radio stations Radio stations established in 2007 Radio stations disestablished in 2008 History of Ramallah