CONCEPT
Welcome to RadioDocumentary.Net .... This site is a simple listing of AM/FM and SW radio broadcasters that distribute/deliver their documentary content not only by traditional free-to-air broadcast, but also make it available for download via internet protocols, such as the world-wide-web (websites), file-sharing networks ('eMule', 'BitTorrent') and 'RSS' feeds.  Therefore, this site is an ideal reference for people (like me) that get really angry about all the .ASX and other difficult bits and pieces of code that try to stream, load all sorts of annoying popups - and basically won't allow people to easily download radio documentaries from the internet. Okay, a small disclaimer on the word 'documentary'...  Apart from the old definition of documentary, being 'the creative treatment of reality', there is often a fine line between content classified as 'feature reporting', a 'magazine program', 'current affairs' and a multitude of other concepts.  Quite simply, the more background research, the more production, the more creative treatment - the more the content will approach that classic definition of 'documentary'.... Some good examples would be the ABC (Australia) current affairs program 'Background Briefing' and the U.S production group 'American RadioWorks'.... In both cases, their programs feature a series of finely edited interviews, and usually originate from hundreds of research hours. With American RadioWorks, they then often go the final step - by adding mood - using 'natural' elements recorded on location, such as the sound of busy office machines, or the humming of a country windmill.  It is with such treatment that current affairs programs regularly become documentary... Therefore, this site features much content that may or may not be called 'documentary' by the content provider, but should please any discerning listener of fine radio production.

DOWNLOAD DOWNLOAD DOWNLOAD!
The only, but major stipulation for inclusion into this site, is that the content provider MUST be providing at least 50 percent of content as a download, usually in the MP3 format (although OGG is slowly becoming more popular).  RadioDocumentary.Net does not list providers that only 'stream' via the internet.  We believe providers that only stream content, are not really adapting to the realistic modernization that the internet offers to radio/audio documentary, such as the ability to let listeners download and listen to content when and where they prefer... However, to complicate matters just a little, MANY documentaries that are streamed CAN be downloaded as MP3s... The potential listener needs only to install a browser such as 'Firefox', with a free plugin such as 'FlashGot' (no relation to the Flash format) or 'Karbon-VideoTap'... With these plugins, as soon as the stream starts playing, the listener only needs to double-click the Flashgot or Karbon-VideoTap icons.  The server source audio file of the stream (if MP3 or supported format) will then download JUST AS IF the content had been available as a simple/normal clickable download.  However, obviously other content providers DO NOT WANT people to download anything, and they will usually use the FLV (Flash) format and other mechanisms in an attempt to 'protect' themselves as much as technically possible.  As a side note: if however, you feel that you are entitled to such streamed protected content, I want to recommend a great little $US24.00 program called 'Ad Stream Recorder' that can record the stream in real-time ('real-time' means you actually have to listen to ALL the online stream/audio content and record it in the same real time that you hear it!)  I am in no way associated with Ad Stream Recorder, but highly recommend it as a well-built, easy to use piece of software, able to normalize incoming signals and provides a good accurate VU graph for levels etc....

MERGING MEDIA
Please note that Glen Clifford (that's me - the compiler of this site) is taking care to include an increasing amount of 'New Media', this being work from both organizations and individuals that are producing content for online delivery only.  Such examples would include audio work from newspaper sites and individual experts in various fields. Great care is being taken as, apart from the term 'New Media' being terribly ambiguous, the nature of this type of content is also very nondescript... For example, items that are labeled 'documentary' are often simply 20 minute audio interviews (with press journalists) with minimal alternative viewpoint (balance) and poor preparation/research.  Such content has NOT been linked to on this site... But what you WILL find are occasional links to professionally presented special reports and documentaries produced by well informed groups and individual experts, and delivered online. The media divisions of NGO's offer the best examples of this work, and occasionally work is produced by Universities and other academic institutions.   Further, although this type of content is originally delivered via the internet, many traditional broadcast stations later pick it up.. Therefore, it is not hard to understand how a site such as this needs to do justice to such content (by listing/linking to it), but at the same time, be aware of content that is not up to standard, as previously detailed.

A SMALL WORLD
Another note!  Please be careful not to unintentionally limit yourself.. The task of world radio listening is an artform that not so many people know about/understand... The 'art' comes in, when you are able to 'think outside the box' by understanding 'who' is broadcasting to 'who' for 'what purpose'...  For example, if you have an interest in Asia, don't just go to the 'Asia' section of the listing... You can also find fascinating content by looking out for individual 'Asian' programs directed at Asia from external broadcasters. Further, in the case of 'Radio Free Asia', it is an entire broadcasting service based in the United States, again, directed at Asia... Therefore, you will find such programs and broadcasters in the U.S.A listing, NOT the Asian listing... This type of example can be repeated for any region, language and individual county.  For example, the Australian listing has a long established English language program called 'East Asia Today', produced by Australia's ABC Radio.

COUNTRIES, CONTINENTS AND REGIONS
I am the first to admit that the structure of this site is NOT politically correct and certainly not correct in terms of national loyalties and allegiances.  For example, you will find England and the Republic of Ireland on the same page.... And rather than referring to Eastern and Western Europe or Northern Europe leading to Scandinavia - all these are strung together and separated in a manner that pays little regard to either geography or politics.  The manner in which the site is structured is simply in terms of GENERAL geography OR the development of radio documentary in specific regions. The moment that New Zealand gets another 30 or 40 documentary content providers will be the moment when New Zealand gets its own page. Until then it is ludicrous trying to setup hundreds of pages representing every country on earth.

NOT ALWAYS A RADIO STATION
A final note; ..... Although this site lists many AM/FM and SW radio broadcasters, the nature of modern radio is that a lot of content is produced from production foundations, independent producers and various organizations.. Such teams, individuals or groups may have regular agreements, be commissioning production houses, may be freelance or a multitude of other criteria.. However what they all have in common, is that they have material regularly being aired on radio and available for download. Therefore, many of the links on this site direct to internet sites that may not exactly look like standard 'radio station/broadcaster' sites.

Best wishes,

Glen Clifford

CONTACT

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MY OTHER 3 SITES

PERSONAL HOMESITE - GlenClifford.Com - (My own sound prod & articles about communication)
PERSONAL WEBLOG - Glen@Tumblr - (Personal weblog that feeds to Facebook and Twitter)
HOBBY SITE - CelticMusicBase.Com - (A huge listing of Celtic musicians worldwide)