Radio Station CRN (Catholic Radio Network) goes off air.

The switching off of CRN, a religious radio station has caused disappointment to regular listeners throughout Aitape and the whole nation.

According to Fr. Geoff Lee (National Secretary for Socom and Editor of Catholic Reporter), reported via email that CRN had been taken off air by a decision of the CBC AGM.

He added that the decision had been reached because of the financial unsustainability of the project.

"We are in debt to around K131, 000 to EMTV for the services they have been offering in getting our signal out via satellite around the country," said Fr. Geoff.

He added that following the decision of the CBC, there was a lot of disappointment being expressed by a lot of people who were regular listeners to the CRN.

After two meetings in Port Moresby with various people such as ArchBishop Sir Brian Barnes, Bishop Bonivento of Vanimo Diocese, Fr. Mlak of RTA, EMTV and management and Fr. Geoff, agreements were reached.

It was agreed that the Commission for Social Communications would take on the responsibility to pay off the debt to EMTV up until the time the signal was cut off. EMTV has also given a six month grace period for this to be done.

Fr. Geoff also acknowledged that Bishop Bonivento through the generosity of a benefactor, had agreed to take on all payments to EMTV from when the signal went back on air. He added that this would only be until such time as Radio Mario establishes itself and starts broadcasting.

"In some ways going off air has not been an entirely negative thing as people have woken up to the fact that more than Hail Marys are needed to run a radio station and keep it on air," commented Fr. Geoff.