Radio Libera Carbone 14 was a pirate radio station operating in Paris in 1984. At that time, pirate radios were very popular in France due to strict broadcasting regulations.
Radio Libera Carbone 14 was founded by a group of music and freedom of expression enthusiasts. Its name refers to the radioactive isotope of carbon, carbon-14. The radio broadcast on the 95.8 FM frequency and relied mainly on alternative and underground music, as well as the dissemination of controversial political messages.
Carbone 14's programming was eclectic, covering a wide range of musical genres such as punk, reggae, alternative rock, new wave and electronica. The radio speakers were passionate volunteers, often young activists or local artists, who broadcast their musical selections and shared opinions on social and political issues.
Libera Carbone 14 radio was known for its irreverent tone and its rejection of traditional radio conventions. He openly mocked commercial radio stations and government authorities. The speakers used pseudonyms to avoid being identified by the authorities and escape repression.
However, due to the illegal nature of their operations, pirate radios were always in the crosshairs of the French authorities. Carbone 14's transmitting facilities were mobile, making it difficult for authorities to locate them. However, in October 1984, the police were able to locate and seize the radio station.
The demise of Libera Carbone 14 radio did not spell the end of pirate radio in Paris, as new stations emerged to take its place. Nonetheless, Carbone 14 remains a significant emblem of the struggle for freedom of expression across the airwaves in 1980s France.
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