Radio highlights

Sydney Gaywaves appeal for support — The management of Sydney's 2SER-FM is considering reducing the Gaywaves Collective's 2

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55D> hour weekly timeslot, moving it from its current 8-10.30pm Thursday spot to an earlier time and perhaps another day. Such plans should be opposed, says Gaywaves, because it is the only radio program regularly broadcasting lesbian and gay material in Sydney and as such its current airtime is already short enough. A late night timeslot allows people to listen in privacy, especially those gay men and lesbians not yet out or living in a gay/lesbian-hostile environment. Gaywaves Collective is appealing to listeners to write to SER's program manager expressing support for Gaywaves' current timeslot. The address is PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007.

Headbangers hit the airwaves! — Brisbane community radio 4ZZZ-FM has a new metal and hardcore music program called HGFS. It airs every Tuesday night at midnight, straight after the Punk Rock Show (10pm-midnight). HGFS's Jerome and Donald (or is that Bill and Ted?) are seeking demo recordings from metal/hardcore/thrash bands. Send them c/- 4ZZZ-FM, PO Box 509, Fortitude Valley Qld 4006.

Radio-Eye: Ambos Nogales — The Mingling Cultures of the Border — Writer Margy Rochlin grew up listening to her father's stories about cultural harmony in his home town of Nogales on the US-Mexican border. The population of Nogales has grown from 10,000 then to over 1 million. Crime, drugs and toxic waste are rampant. Factories draw thousands who live in awful slums. Through it all, Mexican and US cultures mingle in unpredictable ways. Rochlin returned to Nogales with a tape recorder during the Cinco de mayo festival to document this phenomenon.

More world music on Radio National — The Nightly Planet's Robyn Johnston has been given an extra daily spot on Radio National to present her selections of world music, jazz, folk and fusion. ABC Radio National, weekdays 2.15-3pm. The Nightly Planet continues weekdays, 11.15pm.

The Story of Pop — The acclaimed 52-part BBC series that brings to life the 40-year history of modern pop music. Hear the singers, musicians, writers, producers and music capitalists tell it from their perspectives. The first several episodes deal with rock and roll's origins in the African-American community and trace its rhythms back to Africa. ABC Radio National, every Friday, 8.05pm.

Indian Pacific — Peter Mares' indispensable weekly program of news and features on the Asian and Pacific regions has now been extended to one hour. ABC Radio National, every Saturday, 8.05am.

Soundstage: A Short History of Contraception — A radio drama narrated by a foetus waiting to be born! "You probably think it's easy to be born", she says. "I've been called more than once, but my timing's been off." Over the years her birth has been thwarted by miscarriages, abortions, wars, rubber things and even half a lemon! ABC Classic FM, Tuesday, January 31, 8pm.