Radio Bastjanizi

Bastjaniżi FM" is a radio station that was setup in the locality of Qormi in the island of Malta. It is a community radio station that transmits on the frequency of 95FM Stereo. This was one of the many projects accomplished by the Four Associations working in harmony to organise the feast of St. Sebastian in Qormi. These associations are:

* Kummissjoni Żgħażagħ Bastjaniżi

* St.Sebastian Fireworks Factory

* St.Sebastian Decorations Group

* Pinto Band Club

The main aim of the radio is that of providing coverage of the main activities taking place in the Parish of St. Sebastian to all local residents, especially sick and old people that can’t attend these activities. Moreover the station transmits music programmes from all genres; cultural programmes; band marches; the Sunday Holy Mass, the Holy Rosary on a daily basis and much more.

The Radio Station was initially set up to cater for the village feast of St. Sebastian in the year 2003. It was to transmit for a whole month before the feast that is celebrated on third Sunday of July. During the first meeting that was held for those who wanted to help, one could notice a lot of enthusiasm from a large group of people. The enthusiasm followed during the weeks when transmissions commenced. During these weeks all the helpers and broadcasters made their utmost to build up one of the best community radio stations on the Maltese Islands. This was because the radio station was run on professional lines from all points of view. During this month, both local residents and other people who have listened to the radio commented that it was a very good radio station and that the promoters should consider the revamping of this project in the future.

After the first successful month, the committee made up of the four associations that organise the village feast of St. Sebastian thought to repeat this initiative during the Christmas Festive Season of the same year (i.e. 2003) and to continue with transmissions till the Liturgical Feast of St. Sebastian that was celebrated on the 20th January 2004. The station was also opened during the period that led to the Holy Week of 2004, ending with the celebration of Good Friday and Easter Sunday, where it provided its listeners with live transmissions of the procession of the Risen Christ (l-Irxoxt).

Due to the success of the second term it was now time to endeavour to have the first community radio station in Qormi that transmits for an indefinite period. For this reason the committee worked hard to furnish the station with all the necessary equipment and material. "Bastjaniżi FM" re-started its transmissions on 7th June 2004.

When the radio station was re-opened for the second time, the administration felt the need to make the necessary improvements in its schedule, which were:

* Increase in live transmissions

* Introduction of new programmes

* Live-streaming on the Internet

The main objectives for the third term now consisted in maintaining a radio station that transmits for an indefinite period. These main targets could not be reached without the necessary investment in hardware and equipment that are a requisite to build up and run a professional studio. Finally the station’s website was registered as www.bastjanizifm.org.

"Bastjaniżi FM" has continued with round the clock transmissions since 6th June 2004. The station renews and re-visits its schedule every four months and apart from live transmissions of the major activities that occur in the Parish of St. Sebastian in the town of Qormi, Malta it also provides its listeners with a very wide variety of other cultural and musical programmes.