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World Radio Day : Radio MNE

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Today is World Radio Day, an opportunity to introduce you to Radio MNE.

Radio MNE has its roots in the history of French radio.
In France, radio was long a state-controlled medium. In the 1970s, defending freedom of expression, many pirate radio stations emerged. The state monopoly ended in 1981, and pirate stations became free radio stations.

In 2000, as streaming was developing, a small group decided to launch during a weekend at the Noumatrouff. “Warum Net Experience” (WNE) was born. Very quickly, WNE multiplied its shows, writing workshops, and radio workshops, and the Old School association supported the WNE webradio with the firm intention of broadcasting on the airwaves.

A mission quickly emerged: to allow everyone to discover and create radio. In concrete terms, the webradio was accompanied by media education workshops. Two supported jobs were created to manage the radio.

In 2009, WNE gave birth to Mulhouse Nouvelle Experience (MNE); programs multiplied and MNE grew. In 2013, the radio left the apartment that had served as its studio to move into a newly rehabilitated industrial site: Motoco.

After years of giving and sharing the microphone, the idea of having its own frequency and broadcasting 24/7 became increasingly pressing. In 2014, MNE made a huge step forward. The radio obtained a temporary frequency for 9 months per year: 107.5 FM (the FM network is particularly complex in Mulhouse due to its proximity to Switzerland and Germany).

It obtained its frequency on the DAB+ network in 2019.

Since its origin, Radio MNE’s philosophy has been to make radio with as many people as possible and give everyone a voice. Even today, anyone can speak on its airwaves. From the moment they join, new members actively participate in programs. This openness allows MNE to educate many different audiences about radio. Through its media education workshops, the radio builds connections with the territory and its residents.

Governed by the rules set by Arcom (formerly CSA), it responds to a democratic need for media plurality. Its local positioning makes it an essential part of the media landscape. Deeply attached to its independence, MNE operates mainly thanks to the Fund for Supporting Radio Expression (which is increasingly under threat) and refuses to use advertising.

Today, MNE continues to build relationships with various local stakeholders. Programs and workshops are diversifying, and new connections are being formed. These connections shape MNE’s unique identity and help everyone who steps into the studio grow.

A studio that has been based at Motoco for several years thanks to volunteers, civic service members, interns, and a few key staff members:

  • Sylvain and Morgane manage the organization of media education workshops;

  • Paule handles administration;

  • Charly is the broadcast coordinator.

At the moment, a cycle dedicated to radio fiction is being broadcast on Radio MNE, including audio versions of films, “stories told for you,” and radio plays. You can find these programs and many others on Radio MNE via DAB+ on channel 11D throughout the Haut-Rhin, or via streaming: https://mne.out.airtime.pro/mne_a.