# Radio Veritas > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Radio_Veritas > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Radio_Veritas.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Veritas > Source revision: 1357138079 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Philippine Catholic shortwave radio station}} {{About|the Catholic shortwave radio station|its former terrestrial radio station|DZRV-AM}} {{mi| {{Fanpov|date=April 2023}} {{Cleanup rewrite|date=August 2024}} {{AI-generated|date=April 2026|certain=y|partial=y|reason=[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radio_Veritas&diff=1287279676&oldid=1270214108 these 2025 edits (disclosed ai)}} }} {{Use Philippine English|date=April 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Infobox company | name = Radio Veritas Asia
(RVA) | logo = | type = [Private](/source/Private_company) | industry = [Broadcast](/source/Broadcast) [radio station](/source/radio_station) | founded = April 11, 1969 | hq_location = [Quezon City](/source/Quezon_City) and [Lahore](/source/Lahore) | key_people = Rev. Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD (General Manager)
Aurelia Elarde (Administrative/Finance Director)
Rev. Msgr. Pietro Nguyen Van Tai (Program Director/Director)
Engr. Manuel A. Mopal (Asst. Program Director (ISO) | area_served = Worldwide | revenue = | net_income = | num_employees = | website = {{url|www.rveritas-asia.org}} | owner = Philippine Radio Educational and Information Center }} '''Radio Veritas Asia''' is a non-commercial Catholic shortwave radio station that broadcasts across Asia. Headquartered in [Quezon City, Philippines](/source/Quezon_City%2C_Philippines), it is operated by the '''Philippine Radio Educational and Information Center''' (PREIC), which also managed [the original Radio Veritas](/source/DZRV-AM) from 1969 to 1991. The station's Urdu Service commenced operations on August 14, 1987, in [Lahore, Pakistan](/source/Lahore%2C_Pakistan), targeting Urdu-speaking audiences.[http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=28274&lan=eng Agenzia Fides 2011-02-05] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402201448/http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=28274&lan=eng |date=April 2, 2012 }} Radio Veritas Asia focuses on promoting social justice for marginalized communities through programming centered on moral, religious, and inspirational themes. Additionally, it aims to foster peace and unity across diverse sects, ethnicities, and genders by producing sociocultural content and facilitating interfaith dialogue.   Aligned with its mission, the station emphasizes ethical values, advocates for harmony, and serves as a platform for intercultural and interreligious understanding in Asia. ==History== Radio Veritas Asia traces its origins to December 1958, when delegates of the Southeast Asian Bishops' Conference unanimously resolved to establish a radio station serving [Southeast Asia](/source/Southeast_Asia). Eleven years later, on April 11, 1969, Radio Veritas was inaugurated. The [Federation of Asian Bishops' Conference](/source/Federation_of_Asian_Bishops'_Conference) (FABC) assumed operational oversight of Radio Veritas Asia (RVA) starting in 1970. This responsibility was formally confirmed by the FABC General Assembly in 1974. In the early hours of November 7, 1985, Radio Veritas journalist Jun Taña survived a stabbing attack by two assailants while he was walking home.{{cite book|author=[The Lawyers Committee for Human Rights](/source/Human_Rights_First)|title="Salvaging" Democracy: Human Rights in the Philippines|date=1985|publisher=Lawyers Committee for Human Rights|page=154|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wNKGAAAAMAAJ|access-date=August 14, 2025}} Since 1991, the annual magazine of RVA's [Urdu](/source/Urdu) Service has been housed in the office building of WAVE Studio in Lahore, Pakistan.{{cite web |title=UCANEWS.com December 1, 2006| url=http://www.ucanews.com/2006/12/01/catholic-office-for-social-communications-celebrates-15th-anniversary/?key=Lahore}} A majority of the Urdu Service's programs are also recorded at this studio.{{cite web |title=UCANEWS.com August 29, 2007| url=http://www.ucanews.com/2007/08/29/decades-of-church-radio-service-draws-praise-from-muslim-listeners/?key=lahore/}} ===Role in the People Power Revolution=== {{main|People Power Revolution|Timeline of the People Power Revolution|Camp Crame#Role in the People Power revolution}} During the 1986 [People Power Revolution](/source/People_Power_Revolution), [Camp Crame](/source/Camp_Crame) emerged as a key rallying site for protesters. In February 1986, allegations of election fraud during the [1986 Philippine presidential election](/source/1986_Philippine_presidential_election) sparked nationwide unrest. Mass protests ensued, including the ''Tagumpay ng Bayan'' rally at [Rizal Park](/source/Rizal_Park) on February 16, and a boycott of businesses linked to Ferdinand Marcos' regime. Amid the turmoil, the [Reform the Armed Forces Movement](/source/Reform_the_Armed_Forces_Movement) (RAM), led by Defense Secretary [Juan Ponce Enrile](/source/Juan_Ponce_Enrile), attempted a coup by seizing [Camp Aguinaldo](/source/Camp_Aguinaldo). After learning Marcos' forces had uncovered the plot, Enrile invited Philippine Constabulary Chief [Fidel Ramos](/source/Fidel_Ramos) to join the rebellion. Ramos agreed, and the two held a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo to announce their withdrawal of support for Marcos. Following the event, Ramos returned to Camp Crame, while Enrile remained at Camp Aguinaldo.{{cite web |last=Cal |first=Ben |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1026041 |title=Remembering People Power 32 years ago |website=Philippine News Agency |date=February 22, 2018}}{{cite web |last=Rafael |first=Vicente |url=https://opinion.inquirer.net/93174/what-was-edsa |title=What was Edsa? |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=February 25, 2016}} Through Radio Veritas, anti-Marcos activist [Butz Aquino](/source/Butz_Aquino) and Cardinal [Jaime Sin](/source/Jaime_Sin) broadcast urgent appeals to the public after Enrile and Ramos publicized their defection. With the permission of journalist Jun Taña, Aquino spoke via telephone from Camp Aguinaldo once Ramos and Enrile's second press conference had ended, calling for a march from an Isetann department store in Quezon City to the camp.{{cite book|title=Duet for EDSA: Chronology of a Revolution|date=1995|publisher=Foundation for Worldwide People Power, Inc.|isbn=971-91670-0-9|pages=45-48|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fFxxAAAAMAAJ|access-date=August 13, 2025}}{{cite news|last=Yu|first=Lance Spencer|title=Remembering Butz Aquino, leader of the August Twenty-One Movement that defied Marcos Sr.|url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/remembering-butz-aquino-leader-august-twenty-one-movement-defy-ferdinand-e-marcos/|access-date=August 13, 2025|work=[Rappler](/source/Rappler)|publisher=Rappler Inc.|date=February 24, 2024|location=[Manila](/source/Manila), Philippines}}{{cite news|last=Garcia|first=Ed|title=On the eve of the 1986 people power revolt|url=https://opinion.inquirer.net/150116/on-the-eve-of-the-1986-people-power-revolt|access-date=August 13, 2025|work=[Inquirer.net](/source/Philippine_Daily_Inquirer)|publisher=Inquirer Interactive, inc.|date=February 21, 2022}} Some minutes after, Sin went on the air to urge Filipinos to form a human barricade along [EDSA](/source/EDSA) between the two camps to shield the defectors from Marcos' military.{{cite web|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/579955/people-power-revolution-timeline-feb-23-1986-day-two|title=People Power Revolution Timeline, Feb. 23, 1986, Day Two|publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=February 23, 2014}} Radio Veritas experienced two attacks against its transmitter by the military: in the early morning of February 23 and the evening of February 24.{{cite news|last=Reyes-Estrope|first=Carmela|title=Radyo Veritas role in Edsa I recalled|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/675077/veritas-role-in-edsa-i-recalled|access-date=August 14, 2025|work=[Inquirer.net](/source/Philippine_Daily_Inquirer)|publisher=Inquirer Interactive, Inc.|date=February 25, 2015}} Although the transmitter was already destroyed in the initial attack, soldiers returned the day after due to subsequent broadcasts from [Radyo Bandido](/source/DZRJ-AM) by [June Keithley](/source/June_Keithley) and other journalists reporting on the revolution. ===Post-revolution developments=== After the revolution, Radio Veritas' station was rehabilitated with the aid of proceeds from the [charity album](/source/Charity_record) ''Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo'', with [its titular song](/source/Handog_ng_Pilipino_sa_Mundo) commissioned by [WEA Records](/source/Universal_Records_(Philippines)) chief executive [Ramon Chuaying](/source/Ramon_Chuaying).{{cite magazine|last=Baker|first=Glenn A.|title=WEA Release Aids Manila's Radio Veritas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ayQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT61#v=onepage&q&f=false|access-date=August 14, 2025|magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))|publisher=Billboard Publications, Inc.|date=September 20, 1986|location=Manila|page=64}} The station later expanded its outreach by adopting new technologies, including internet streaming and webcasting, while planning a transition to digital broadcasting. From 2007 to June 2011, the station received over 30,000 listener letters from Pakistan, 3,500 from [India](/source/India), and 500 from other countries.[http://www.rveritas-asia.org Radio Veritas Asia website] On October 9, 2011, RVA's Urdu Service hosted its 11th Listeners' Conference in Lahore, attended by over 80 participants nationwide. The service aired 13 daily programs in Urdu, reaching audiences in Pakistan and India, under the leadership of studio director Father Nadeem John Shakir.[http://www.ucanews.com/2011/10/10/muslims-welcome-church-message/ UCANews October 10, 2011] The 15th Catholic Radio Listeners' Conference was held on September 21, 2015, at Lahore's Loyola Hall, drawing 120 attendees. Bishop [Joseph Arshad](/source/Joseph_Arshad) of [Faisalabad](/source/Faisalabad), head of the Commission for Social Communications, emphasized the role of radio in fostering peace, tolerance, and brotherhood.[http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Muslim-teacher:-Thanks-to-Radio-Veritas-I-became-a-writer-35399.html AsiaNews 24 September 2015] RVA's shortwave transmissions officially ceased on June 30, 2018.[https://shortwavearchive.com/archive/radio-veritas-asia-final-transmission-june-30-2018 shortwave archive July 3, 2018] ==Funding== Radio Veritas Asia’s operations are primarily funded by Missio, a [German](/source/Germans) Catholic pontifical mission society. In 2010, Missio announced a 10% reduction in its annual financial support to the organization. Additionally, the [Catholic Bishops' Conference of Pakistan](/source/Catholic_Bishops'_Conference_of_Pakistan) provided annual funding of [PKR](/source/Pakistani_rupee) 10,000 (approximately $170 USD as of 2005) to support RVA's Urdu Service until 2005.[http://blogs.ucanews.com/give-us-this-day/2011/05/24/short-wave-short-of-listeners/ UCANews 24 May 2011] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526040935/http://blogs.ucanews.com/give-us-this-day/2011/05/24/short-wave-short-of-listeners/ |date=May 26, 2011 }} ==Programs== Radio Veritas Asia (RVA) designs its programming around its dual objectives of [evangelization](/source/Evangelism) and sociocultural empowerment. ===Evangelization=== RVA's evangelization efforts feature a mix of moral, religious, and sociocultural content, alongside limited political, economic, and informational programs. Core offerings include: *Gospel Reflection *Church News *Morals *Catholic Doctrines *[Catechesis](/source/Catechesis) *Liturgy and Sacraments *Dialogue with Religions and Cultures *Role of the Church in the Modern World In 2015, the station introduced two daily 27-minute programs (morning and evening) covering health, cultural values, global landmarks, notable personalities, social issues, literature, inventions, and international news. ===Thematic focus=== RVA's sociocultural programming emphasizes: *People Empowerment {{clarify|date=March 2015}} *Community Building {{clarify|date=March 2015}} *Family {{clarify|date=March 2015}} *Women and Youth {{clarify|date=March 2015}} *Science and Technology *Environment *History and Culture *News and Information *Health ==Through the years== ===Papal endorsements=== During Radio Veritas Asia's (RVA) 25th anniversary in 1995, [Pope John Paul II](/source/Pope_John_Paul_II) emphasized the importance of supporting the station’s mission, acknowledging that doing so would require "greater sacrifices and renewed commitment" from local churches across Asia. On April 11, 2019, [Pope Francis](/source/Pope_Francis) sent a message to RVA for its 50th anniversary, urging the station to continue fostering "a more just and united society."[https://www.ucanews.com/news/pope-calls-on-asian-church-radio-to-be-voice-of-the-poor/84943 UCANews April 11, 2019] ===Archives and UNESCO recognition=== RVA's archives house original broadcast recordings from the 1986 [People Power Revolution](/source/People_Power_Revolution). In recognition of their historical significance, [UNESCO](/source/UNESCO) cataloged these audio files under its ''Memory of the World Programme'' and ''[Digital Preservation](/source/Digital_Preservation) of Documentary Heritage'' initiatives.{{Cite web|title=Radio Broadcast of the Philippine People Power Revolution|url=http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/flagship-project-activities/memory-of-the-world/register/full-list-of-registered-heritage/registered-heritage-page-7/radio-broadcast-of-the-philippine-people-power-revolution/|access-date=November 29, 2021|website=United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization}} ===News service expansion=== On July 25, 2020, Archbishop [Joseph Arshad](/source/Joseph_Arshad) of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, then-chair of Pakistan's National Commission for Social Communications, launched RVA's Urdu-language news service. This marked the first dedicated Catholic news program in Pakistan.[http://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/pakistan-church-launches-first-news-service/54701/1 Herald Malaysia August 1, 2020] ==See also== *[Catholic Media Network](/source/Catholic_Media_Network) *[DZRV](/source/DZRV-AM) ==References== {{Reflist}} ==Website== *[http://www.rveritas-asia.org Radio Veritas Asia's website] {{Radio in the Philippines}} {{Authority control}} Category:1969 establishments in the Philippines Category:Catholic radio stations Category:Catholic Church in Pakistan Category:Companies based in Lahore Category:Companies based in Quezon City Category:Defunct shortwave radio stations Category:International broadcasters Category:Mass media companies of the Philippines Category:Mass media in Lahore Category:Mass media in Pakistan Category:Philippine radio networks Category:Privately held companies of the Philippines Category:Radio stations established in 1969 Category:Radio stations in the Philippines Category:Urdu-language mass media --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Radio Veritas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Veritas) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Veritas?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.