Rescue grant to Kola Sami Radio
The Norwegian Barents Secretariat grants 45,000 NOK and hopes also other organisations will assist the only radio station in Russia broadcasting in the Sami language.
- Russia can not be without Sami media and therefore we give a grant to secure the continued broadcasting, says Rune Rafaelsen, head of the Norwegian Barents Secretariat, interviewed by NRK Sami Radio.
As BarentsObserver recently reported, the Kola Sami Radio is on the brink of bankruptcy and might be closed. Today the Kola Sami Radio has accumulated debts of 256.00 RUB (EUR 7.000).
The 45.000 NOK (EUR 5.000) is not enough, but Rafaelsen hopes it will trigger other granters to assist the radio. The Sami journalist union, Sámi journalisttaid searvi, has also given 10.000 NOK (1.100 EUR) in grant to help their colleagues in Lovozero on the Kola Peninsula where the radio station is located.
The establishment of the Kola Sami Radio is probably the project for indigenous peoples within the Barents Region which has got most funding this decade from international organizations and governments. The grants provided were only for the start-up costs – not for the daily operations.
