In 1968, DZNS is just a 1,000 watt weakling, but one of the best at that time. The station is located at the ground floor of the Archbishop’s Residence in Vigan, with its transmitter more than a kilometer away, opposite of the Vigan Major Seminary. In the early part of 1970, it became an affiliate of the Philippines` largest media outlet: ABS-CBN. It was the radio to beat in Ilocos Sur. Being affiliated with the country’s biggest network provided a big boost to the fledging station in terms of programming and popularity. It had a large audience for its two “LIVE SHOWS’ on Sundays. Its News and Public Affairs programs gave the competition a run for their money. Moreover, The weekly address of the Archbishop was the voice of hope for the opposition at that time. But just it rose to unprecedented heights of fame and glory, DZNS was abruptly down along with the rest of broadcast media. That was the day Martial Law was proclaimed on September 21, 1972. Two months later, DZNS was re-opened through a Temporary Permit to Operate. It was the only ABS-CBN radio station allowed to broadcast.

This was short lived, however. On March 20, 1973, the late Archbishop JUAN C. SISON received a telegram from the undersecretary of Defense, saying “Sorry Monsignor, your application for a Permanent Permit to Operate is not granted”. On that day, DZNS breathed its last. In a renewed effort to respond to the need for “Community Evangelization” and to serve as a media support for the promotion of the aspirations of the rural poor, DZNS was formally re-opened on July 07, 1991. At its birth, it articulated its vision of fostering a life of faith, prayer and service, as well as intensifying The Archdiocesan Thrust towards community building. The station re-committed itself to the moral, cultural, political, social and economic upliftment of the people through reliable information, public service, educational programs, wholesome entertainment, and above all, in a more focused manner, through the proclamation of the Good News. No less than the Archbishop of Nueva Segovia, the Most Rev. Orlando Quevedo, OMI, graciously opened the door and lit the path to the beginnings of responsible broadcasting.

Confronted With the problem of social injustice characterized by economic imbalance where massive poverty prevails brought about by high prices of basic commodities, backward technology, business monopoly and the wrong priorities of the government coupled with an exploited and uncared natural resources;
 
Aggravated by an established political dynasty that uses dirty politics which had become a source of and opportunity for incomes for those in power and their accomplices which deprives peoples participation in crucial decisions that affect their lives and curtails the emergence of true alternative leaders;

The ambivalent cultural values of utang a naimbag a nakem and kinnabagyan and an explicit expression of folk-catholicism/ religiosity- where faith is detached from life except in external rites and devotions giving room to the prevalence and support to illegal activities and easy adherence to modernization including its ill-effects such as materialism and consumerism which make people extravagant during special occasions and patronized the dole-out system more than self-reliance and cooperativeness in times of necessity;
 
The reality that the church has not adequately evangelized values or inculturated the Gospel values through her catechism, pulpit sermons, seminars and trainings by the different commissions and that DZNS, the church’s radio station lacks both human and financial resources to stand capable to the demands for its existence.

THE RE-OPENING

On September 07, 1991, DZNS was inaugurated by His Eminence Jose T. Cardinal Sanchez. DZNS, with its sensible and credible mission as a church of people truly evangelized and evangelizing, upholds its virtue for responsible broadcasting of the truth as its leads towards People Empowerment. Essentially, DZNS is a medium for public service that does not bring in any income but community feels its service is necessary. DZNS pioneered well-crafted programs long before the proclamation of Martial Law in 1972, its glorious years. A programming scheme that was still carried and visualized as the prime factor for crafting carefully the base programming, DZNS continued its cause and high ideals to help the mass based in the countryside and other kinds of people delivering the best refined programs from Sign-On to Sign-Off; carrying the mantle of responsibility being the great cause. It was not a profitable venture but it achieved its objectives in inspiring, teaching and building image by depicting vignettes of Filipino legacy.

For community evangelization is the foremost vision of DZNS and as the driving force behind the programming structure. Starting with the premise, as search for programs that would enlighten, teach, elevate and inspire the community. DZNS, as an AM Broadcast Station, travels along the surface of the earth and is relatively unaffected by obstacles or even the earth’s curvature. The transmitter operates at one fixed frequency-963kHz and provides up to 5,500 watts RF output power. Giving the best sound and stronger signal in certain areas. It reaches as far as Pangasinan and some parts of Cordillera region. With its premature existence in the field of broadcasting, DZNS lives up its Vision-Mission-Goal, and strives to be on top and competing with other stations to be among the highest in the broadcast industry in Ilocos Sur. Coordinating with the PFCB, DZNS upholds its integrity to provide the people a service that enhances social awareness and responsibility. Looking to the future, DZNS hopes to preserve its domination of its target audience based on the new set of programs lined up and to respond the emerging trends in audience and sales. Expecting to rejoin the rural poor and the local communities that brings hope and total development. We, as Church, should pursue a Solidarity because together we are STRONG; divided we are WEAK.
This is DZNS, the Catholic radio station of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia.