Newsflash from the Past: Tuning in to a New History of the Americas — While the so-called "discovery" of the Americas is celebrated by apologists for imperialism, the Spanish conquest of the "New World" is to be given a wry and informative twist with the airing of a new radio series on Sydney public radio. Each day Newsflash will recount through mock news reports the most striking features of the coming of the Spaniards. The series consists of 52 newsflashes between two and five minutes long, beginning with Columbus as he prepares for his voyage. Each report is self-contained and mixes drama with ironic comedy.
Apart from Columbus and others from our conservative history books, we hear of the activities of Hatucy and Enriquillo, leaders of the indigenous rebellions against the invaders. Newsflash was originally written in Spanish by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. It was produced in Canada by the World Association of Community Broadcasters.
Newsflash from the Past will be broadcast daily in Sydney on 2SER FM, 107.3, beginning on Monday October 26, 7.20 a.m. (selected episodes will be replayed on other 2SER programs, including: Voices from the South, Wednesdays, 7 p.m.; Diaspora, Thursdays, 7 p.m.; Undercurrents, weekdays, 5.30 p.m.).
Watching Brief: The Liquid Path — Part two of this extraordinary public radio documentary about the rubber tappers of Brazil, one the most important groups fighting for the protection of the Amazon rainforest. 2SER journalist/producer Stafford Sanders and Brazilian sociologist Fernanda Duarte travelled to the Amazon and spoke to tapper communities, activists, trade unionists. 2SER 107.3 FM. Mon Oct 26, 12.30 p.m. (repeated Fri Oct 30, 12.30 p.m.). The Liquid Path will also go to air on public radio stations throughout Australia. Phone your local stations for dates and times.