Welcome to Community Radio

CommunityRadio

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Real Player . G'day Blue's - Monthly R&B Show in RA 44m . . "How to start a community radio station"

The name change from public broadcasters to community broadcasters introduced by the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 came about because of a perceived need by the government to differentiate between the non-government “public broadcasters” – that claimed the term “public” by allowing public access – and the government “public broadcaster” (the Australian Broadcasting Corporation) – who claimed the term “public” because it was funded from the public purse and broadcast in “the public interest”. So the term “public” has diverse meanings according to its use by different sectors claiming the term for themselves. Not only is the term public open to contest but there are indeed different publics as the diverse meanings claimed for the term suggest.

The history

of community stretches back to 1961 when the seed was planted. Yet Broadcasting in Australia did not commence until 1972 when the Federal Government recognised that a third tier of electronic media needed to be established.

For over twenty two years now, enthusiasm and hard work by thousands of people has created over one hundred and thirty stations in most regional and metropolitan areas of the country.

Question? How do you go about starting a community radio station from scratch?

There are about 200 groups out there in Australia right now, and about 100 more who went through the process sometime back.

Question? Are there any resources available online?

Yes this site but apart from that, not that I know of, but its worth looking around as things can change rapidly.

Question? What are the costs involved in getting the necessary equipment and resources necessary for test broadcasts?

This can vary. You can start with almost no money and a heap of borrowed equipment. But the goal would be around $50,000 in the longer term.

You need to be registered and approved by the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) to qualify for a test license. Write or ring them in Canberra or Sydney.(there are in most telephone directories.)

Question? How do you go about dealing with beauracracy involved in getting a license accepted?

Pray a lot, become a member of CBAA and seek their assistance. You have to wait for them to invite applications for licences in your area before you can get one. First up though you would be well advised to do some test broadcasts and testing your skills at broadcasting and managing a radio (or TV) station.

Question? Can I have some tips on incorporation, etc.

See your local Business Dept of State Govt. Incorporation is ABA preferred model. The ABA has specific requirements in terms of membership applications, expulsions, rights of appeal. CBAA will be able to help with a set of model rules to get you going, and the ABA will also tell you what is required, but not help much in getting them written etc.

Question? What advice can the CBAA provide? Do they publish guides to this sort of thing?

Our Membership Services Manager (Christina) or her helpful assistant can fill you in on this matter. The CBAA is currently updating its aspirants start up guide. It will include the admin, equipment, technical and finance issues among other topics. Please feel free to submit questions so they can look at what type of answers and info they need to include.

Question? What are the enormous difficulties and hurdles involved in getting a license - are they still giving out licenses?

Still giving them out? Seems as if they are just starting. The biggest attribute needed is the ability to sustain a group while the Licence Area Plans are finalised and licences allocated. A dedicated team with multidiciplined skills is also a great help.

Here is an outline of the national organisations you may encounter:

Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA)

The CBAA is the 'peak body' representing nearly all of Australia's Community Radio & TV Broadcasting Stations.

CBAA board members and staff are known to frequent the campfire, you can ask them for info about their services, aspirant licensing, the annual conference,and more. The CBAA will pay more attention to queries from stations who are members, as it is dependent on membership fees to survive. Email the CBAA or they can be contacted during office hours on:

Phone: (02) 9310 2999 Fax: (02) 9319 4545.

Level 3, 44-54 Botany Road

Alexandria NSW 2015

Australia

ComRadSat

The CBAA operates a satellite programming service. There is a separate
mailing list for announcements and cue-sheets about ComRadSat. It's not meant for discussions, please use the campsite for discussion about ComRadSat.

To get involved email CBAA, or send a message to majordomo@peg.apc.org with the following in the body of the message: subscribe comradsat-l

National Ethnic & Multicultural Broadcasters Council (NEMBC)
Represents ethnic programmers.

National Indigenous Media Association Australia (NIMAA)
Represents indigenous community broadcasting stations, remote and regional media centres (BRACS), and indigenous media in general.

Community Broadcasting Foundation (CBF)
The arms-length funding body for the sector. Assesses applications and distributes grants.

Australian Ethnic Radio Training Project (AERTP)
Designs curricula and manages training for ethnic community broadcasters.

Federal Department of Communications and the Arts (DOCA)
The government department responsible for legislation and federal funding for community broadcasting.

Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA)
Gives out licenses for broadcasting, and handles complaints. Reports to DOCA.

CAMP List - Grab your appropriate beverage and take a seat by the fire, this is a camping ground for serious discussion of the issues in community media. Send a message to majordomo@peg.apc.org, with the subject line blank, and the following in the body of the message: subscribe camp-l As the flames lick and crackle, you can chat with people in community radio and TV stations, and anyone who wants to join in, about production, policy,
volunteers, management, funding, technical issues, and whether wood fires are
environmentally correct.

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