Crazy Radio
Great story at
BBC about an unusual radio station in Argentina:
bq. Crazy Radio gives patients voice
Saturday afternoon in Buenos Aires: tucked away behind the towering, prison-like Jose Borda psychiatric hospital, a large group of people is gathering.
bq. Under the shade of a tree, a haphazard radio studio is being put together.
bq. This is Radio La Colifata, which in Buenos Aires slang means Crazy Radio - the first radio show in the world to broadcast live from a mental hospital.
Riiight -- this is probably a toy or a cardboard box painted up to look like a transmitter:
bq. More than a therapy, the show has proven popular with an estimated 12 million listeners.
bq. Taxi driver Hector Eduardo Costa listens as he works through the night.
bq. He says: "They aren't so crazy as people often think. They say things that are spot on. Sometimes they write poems, sing songs, and it is very interesting."
bq. Away from the media limelight, the hospital says the show has had great therapeutic results.
bq. Thirty percent of patients who participate are released, and not one of these patients who continues outpatient therapy at Radio La Colifata has been readmitted.
bq. That compares with two-thirds of patients being readmitted if they do not continue outpatient therapy with the radio, its creator Mr Olivera says.
Very good results for the treatment. The article mentions that they are also working on a television program. Sweet story.
Posted by DaveH at February 8, 2005 4:56 PM