The People's Republic of China has strengthened its communications foothold in Europe. A 30-person team in Tampere broadcasts multilingual state-sponsored programming throughout Europe. Experts say the Chinese government is attempting to exert influence with non-critical programming. Chinese-funded Radio86 in Tampere produces radio shows and online content in ten different languages, including Finnish, English, Estonian, Danish, Russian, German, and French. Listeners around Europe can tune into the station at Finnish broadcaster YLE's former medium wave frequency of 963 kHz. The station is run in cooperation with FutuVision Media, a company based in the Finnish city of Tampere. Programme makers have had no problem recruiting people to help produce the multilingual programming, as Tampere is a vibrant university town with many international students. Radio86 fails to take a critical look at events in China, such as human rights abuses. Instead, the station focuses on culture and travel. Some of the station’s programming comes from state-run China Radio International, which also funds the station. Station head Jutta Valkeinen insists no media is objective.
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/02/tampere_broadcasts_chinas_official_voice_in_europe_1421092.html
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