Sistema de Radiodifusoras Culturales Indigenistas
The Sistema de Radiodifusoras Culturales Indigenistas (SRCI; English: Indigenous Cultural Broadcasting System) is a network of radio stations in Mexico. The radio stations it operates are community radio stations that aim to serve different sectors of the country's indigenous peoples. Pursuant to Article 4 of the Constitution, their mission is to strengthen the multicultural nature of the nation by promoting the use of 31 indigenous languages.
History
The SRCI began operations in 1979 with the launch of XEZV-AM, "La Voz de la Montaña", in Tlapa de Comonfort, Guerrero. The network was initially managed by the National Indigenist Institute (INI), an agency of the federal government; the INI was, however, dissolved in 2003 and replaced by the National Commission for the Development of Indigenous Peoples (CDI), which consequently assumed control over the network.
Stations
The SRCI currently operates 19 medium wave (AM) stations and two high-power very high frequency (FM) stations. It also has four 10-watt FM stations in Yucatán and formerly held permits for three more in Michoacán.[1] An additional medium-wave station, XENAC in Nacajuca, Tabasco, ceased operations in 1990 and its broadcasting permit was suspended in 2001.
The 21 main stations transmit for an average of 12 hours a day, during daylight hours, covering 928 municipalities with high levels of indigenous inhabitants. The stations' potential audience comprises 5 million speakers of indigenous languages and more than 22 million Spanish speakers. They all broadcast an array of programming in both Spanish and the particular native languages spoken in the coverage area.
Three stations are AM-FM migrants that now operate primarily on FM: XHCARH, XHTUMI and XHNKA. The former is required to maintain its AM station because it is the only radio service for certain communities in its AM coverage area.
Programming
The stations' programming is eminently community-focused. Bilingual presenters attend inquiries from listeners, convey community and personal announcements, and promote various government assistance programmes in the areas of health, education, human rights, etc. Traditional music is also a key component of the stations' broadcasts, and their recording collections, frequently gathered in the field, constitute an important cultural resource.