Vatican Radio Agrees to Move Antenna
Vatican Radio agreed Wednesday to reduce some shortwave transmissions to comply with tough Italian environmental regulations. Negotiations on medium-wave broadcasts are continuing.
The station is under pressure to reduce electromagnetic emissions because some residents near a radio transmission tower outside Rome fear that the emissions pose a health hazard.
The government has threatened to shut down Vatican Radio, which beams Pope John Paul II’s words around the world in 40 languages, unless it meets Italy’s emissions’ standards. It is now negotiating new guidelines with the Vatican.
Vatican Radio’s director, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said Wednesday that the station would either move or stop using one of its 31 shortwave antennas.
Italian Environment Minister Willer Bordon called the shortwave agreement “absolutely unsatisfactory” and urged the prime minister to take the necessary measures to ensure compliance by the Vatican.
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