Tripping around the air waves

I'm doing my world tour via the Internet radio again. It's fascinating how the different languages influence ones impression of the country and the people.

Listening to a woman speaking in Chinese from the centre of the country I was impressed by the beauty and the soft sound of her voice, very sexy. In comparison moving to Japan, the Japanese language was much more aggressive, more clipped and staccato, not as attractive. 

It was also interesting to see the countries who do not transmit to the world. Nothing in Laos or Cambodia whilst there was one in Vietnam and one in Thailand. Does that represent a political position or an economic one ?  
Nothing in Sierra Leone or Liberia nothing in Sudan or Eritrea. I was surprised to see Hong Kong does not have a station but Alice Springs does !
It's also fascinating to slide with the sun across the planet, some countries chirpy rising to a new day, others a little under the weather as the evening drags on and home beckons.
The English language stations illustrate the temperament of the station often a barometer of the national character. The laid back Aussie in the Outback only partially ameliorated by the output from the big cities. One feels even in Sydney the bush hat is never far away.
The stations in South Africa always have a fascination having lived there so long. The country has changed since I lived there and the conversations on programs like 702 are a mix of tribal interests and to my ear colloquial. It seems to have drawn in on its self but then when I lived there the Apartheid system had caused the nation to look inward and maybe by ear was less attuned.
The U.S. Has always had such a wide mix from the folksy South to the razor sharp East Coast.
I love the deep resonance of the late night jazz announcers, you can taste the Bourbon, less so the high pitched babble of the female trying to sell me something.
Having returned home but still having a deep affinity for other parts of the world I realise the depth of professionalism which the BBC offers us 24/7.
The range and the quality is phenomenal its a beacon for which the "Pom"  can feel proud. Measured debate, programming to cover all tastes, its a companion and like many of our companions in life, we don't pay enough recognition to it whilst we have it !!
We must protect Aunty and through protecting her, protect ourselves from the disparaging talk of the "privateers" who only see Dollar signs and to whom any talk of sustaining the nation through sustaining our cultural heritage, is an anathema.