Community Media Association

Community Radio: a contribution to the digital debate

Andy King — Mon, 14 May 2012 08:48:33 +0000

The following is a declaration from an AMARC-Europe meeting, held in Brussels on 8th and 9th May 2012. Community Media Association director Jaqui Devereux was in attendance, along with representatives of the community media bodies in a number of other European countries.

Proposals of the Community Radio Sector to Members of the European Parliament on Communication Rights in the Digital Environment

Recalling, among others:

the European Parliament resolution on Community Media in Europe (25 September 2008) which stresses that community media contribute to media pluralism and are an effective means of strengthening cultural and linguistic diversity, social inclusion and local identity.
the Declaration of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the role of community media in promoting social cohesion and intercultural dialogue (11 February 2009) which stresses that community media serve needs which are not met by public service and commercial media.
General Comment No 34 of the United Nations Human Rights Committee on Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (12 September 2011), which states that licensing regimes for broadcasting via media with limited capacity, such as audiovisual terrestrial and satellite services should provide for an equitable allocation of access and frequencies between public, commercial and community broadcasters.

Recognising that community radio is now a major part of the broadcasting landscape which engages and reaches many millions of people across Europe and that these media are an essential contributor to freedom of expression and access to information.

Recognising specifically that community radio faces barriers of access to analogue and digital broadcasting that result from technical and spectrum planning, lack of independence of some regulatory bodies, inadequate legislation, economic constraints and lack of recognition of the contribution of this sector to media pluralism.

We call upon the European Union and its Member States:

To take account of the community radio sector in all relevant European policies including those relating to media pluralism, information and communication technologies, the digital dividend, and cultural, social and economic affairs.
To provide specific legal and regulatory conditions that foster the development of the community radio sector in analogue and digital environments.
To ensure the equitable allocation of broadcasting spectrum between public service, commercial and community broadcasting services on analogue and digital platforms.
To establish measures to provide public financial support to the sector including to assist community radio services that seek to adapt to digital platforms.
To ensure that digital broadcasting technologies and laws allow community radios the right to both own and operate their own transmission systems.
To ensure that the representative organizations of the community broadcasting sector at the European level and in each Member State are systematically consulted on all relevant matters of European and Member State policy.

This document has been prepared at an AMARC-Europe initiative, held in Brussels on 8th & 9th May 2012. The following were present: CMFE (Europe), CMA (UK), CMS (UK), SNRL (France), CNRA (France), ReMC (Spain), Radio Tas Tas (Basque Country), CRAOL (Ireland), CraXX (Belgium), Radio Centraal (Belgium), SRMS (Hungary), VFRÖ (Austria), Radiofonia (Poland), NRO (Sweden)

Applications invited for 21 local TV channels: Ofcom

Andy King — Thu, 10 May 2012 10:11:15 +0000

Ofcom today invited applications for 21 local TV channels across the UK. This follows new duties given to Ofcom by Parliament to license local TV.

The local TV channels will broadcast on a specially-reserved ‘multiplex’. This is a network of transmitters, and a reserved area of the broadcast spectrum reserved for the use of local TV.

In addition to inviting applicants for 21 stations, Ofcom is today also inviting applications to run the local TV multiplex.

Initial areas for local TV

Following consultation, initial areas identified for local TV channels are:
Belfast, Birmingham, Brighton & Hove, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Grimsby, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Plymouth, Preston, Sheffield, Southampton and Swansea.

As well as broadcasting on digital terrestrial, better known as Freeview, local TV channels may choose to offer their services on satellite, cable and online.

The multiplex operator will be required to cover all of the areas above and to propose which areas additionally to cover; they can select from 44 other areas where coverage is technically possible or make a case for other areas to be added.

Ofcom’s statement can be found here. Invitations to apply can be found here.

Four community radio licence awards in South West

Andy King — Fri, 04 May 2012 09:47:44 +0000

Radio regulator Ofcom has announced a further four community radio licence awards in Devon and Cornwall, part of the South West region.

The following stations have all been given the go-ahead to broadcast in their localities for five years:

CHBN, Truro, Cornwall
Penwith Radio, Penzance, Cornwall
Redruth Radio, Redruth, Cornwall
Totnes FM, Totnes, Devon

The move leaves just three stations in the South West region waiting to hear if they have been awarded a licence. Ofcom is expected to move on to Scotland, where nineteen stations are awaiting a decision, later in the year.

These awards mean that 251 community radio licences have been awarded, with 197 currently on air.

The CMA would like to congratulate all four successful groups and wish them the very best of luck in getting on-air.

Ofcom report to Government on an approach to DAB coverage planning

Bill Best — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:22:37 +0000

Ofcom has published a report to Government on an approach to DAB
coverage planning. The report is a technical feasibility study
produced as part of the Coverage and Spectrum Planning work set out in
the Digital Radio Action Plan, published in 2010.

Executive summary:

This report provides a technical feasibility study of a DAB coverage
plan to support a potential future digital radio switchover

1.1 The Government published a Digital Radio Action Plan (DRAP) in
2010, the purpose of which is ‘to provide the information to allow for
a well-informed decision by Government on whether to proceed with a
radio switchover’. Ofcom was asked to chair a DAB coverage and
spectrum planning group to ‘determine the current level of FM coverage
and develop a range of options to increase DAB coverage to match FM’.

1.2 This report to Government sets out the approach and results of
this planning exercise. In particular, it covers:

The definition of the geographical areas, based on the editorial
coverage areas of existing FM radio services, within which we would
aim to replicate FM coverage as far as practicable with DAB coverage
(we refer to these as ‘editorial areas’ in this report);
The technical planning parameters used to predict acceptable levels
of FM and DAB coverage for indoor portable and in-vehicle radio
receivers;
The extent of existing FM coverage within each editorial area, for
both indoor portable radio reception and in-vehicle radio reception on
major roads; and
DAB transmitter network scenarios illustrating how increasing levels
of DAB coverage can be achieved using increasing numbers of
transmitters, replicating as far as practicable FM coverage within
each editorial area.

1.3 Broadcast radio coverage is dependent on a range of different
factors including the height of the transmitting antenna and the power
of the transmitting station, the type of terrain and ground clutter,
atmospheric weather conditions, receiver sensitivity (and aerial gain)
and whether the receiver is used indoors or in vehicles.

1.4 There are also important differences between FM and DAB
technologies. For FM the quality of the audio output progressively
degrades with decreasing signal strength and greater interference,
whilst the quality of DAB remains constant and then disappears
abruptly. Therefore, comparing FM and DAB coverage requires some
qualitative judgement to be exercised over when the level of user
experience for FM and DAB is broadly equivalent.

1.5 The DAB network scenarios set out in this report do not constitute
a definitive or final view on what the post-switchover DAB network
should be, but seek to illustrate the technical feasibility of
matching DAB and FM coverage to inform a Government’s decision on
whether to proceed with switchover. Therefore, this document does not
represent a regulatory decision by Ofcom.

1.6 If Government decides to proceed with digital radio switchover a
more detailed planning exercise will be needed, in collaboration with
multiplex operators and other stakeholders, to optimise the exact
number, location and power of additional DAB transmitters needed to
replicate FM coverage in the most practical and cost effective way.

1.7 This report draws upon two previous Ofcom documents – a
consultation published in July 2011 which set out our proposed
approach to this radio coverage planning work, and an interim
statement published in December 2011 which summarised consultation
responses and set out the further work we were planning to undertake
to improve the accuracy of our coverage planning predictions.

The full report can be found here:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/radio/coverage/dab-coverage/

Media awards aiming to bridge generation gap

Andy King — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:50:12 +0000

Bridging the growing generation gap across Europe is the theme of this year’s round of a pan-European citizen journalism contest.

Organisers of the International Citizen Media Award say the rise in the number of older people across the continent is one of the biggest issues facing Europe as we head into the second decade of the 21st century.

They’re looking for media products, such as radio reports, television programmes or internet projects showing how young people and older people can work together to campaign for a better life for all Europeans.

“Common civic involvement is the key to solidarity between the generations and the positive development of society in Europe,” says a spokesman for the awards.

“Outstanding products about active aging and solidarity between the generations are going to be recognized. Beside the personal interest, quality, medial implementation, activity, authenticity, extent and relevance of research, design elements and innovativeness are relevant for the jury’s decision.”

Over 50 entries were received for the last round of awards in 2011, and organisers are hoping to build on that this year.

Cash prizes of up to €1,000 and the chance to participate in an international media camp are up for grabs for the lucky winners.

The competition is open worldwide to single participants, groups, associations, civil initiatives, school classes and especially for producers, actors and editorial teams in the field of citizen media work.

Entries have to be in by 31 July 2012 – and should be submitted to the Bennohaus international media centre via their website.

The awards are supported by the German Federal Association of Citizens’ and Education Media in Hannover, the community centre Bürgerhaus Bennohaus Münster and the European Youth4Media Network.

Community radio debated in Scottish Parliament

Andy King — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:48:04 +0000

Members of the Scottish Parliament have praised the efforts of community radio groups in their areas – and pledged more support to help them continue their activities.

MSP Christine Grahame (SNP) told MSPs in a debate on Thursday 19 April that community radio provided 2,500 volunteering opportunities in Scotland and was good for the communities they serve. Ms Grahame references community radio stations Black Diamond FM and TD1 Radio, both in her constituency.

Ms Grahame led the debate entitled Community radio coming from a station near you. Her motion stated that community radio does excellent voluntary work across Scotland in training, education and developing individual skills. She called for the Scottish government to work constructively with the network.

Culture and External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop said it was a “remarkable sector” and it served the under-served and gave voices to local communities and she looked forward to working with it.

The Official Report for Motion S4M-02194 has been on the Parliament website in the Business section:

Christine Grahame, Midlothian South, Tweeddale & Lauderdale, SNP, Date Lodged: 01/03/2012: “Community Radio Coming from a Station Near You”

That the Parliament considers that community radio does excellent voluntary work in the Borders and across Scotland; notes the contribution that it makes to communities and the work that it does on training, education and developing individual skills; believes that it makes a singular contribution to the democratic process, and acknowledges calls for the Scottish Government to work constructively with the network.

A link to the video of the debate may be found here.

Speaking in the same debate at Holyrood, Angus North & Mearns MSP Nigel Don had high praise for Mearns FM. He said that “community radio plays an important role in the Mearns, and deserves support”.

Mr Don highlighted the learning opportunities for the volunteers who staff Mearns FM and other similar stations throughout Scotland. He also welcomed Mearns FM stalwart Steve Holt, who was watching from the gallery of the debating chamber.

Commenting afterwards, Mr Don said, “Community radio can assist in the teaching of many subjects, including literacy, numeracy, confidence in presentation, marketing, IT, sound engineering, charitable fundraising, committee skills and general business expertise. I note the work Mearns FM does with Mackie Academy, with primary schools and others in the area. It is a very effective and enjoyable way of teaching people how to do things.”

Mr Don added, “Mearns FM is also starting a new initiative broadcasting to the Polish community, the kind of thing which commercial stations would struggle to justify. Community radio can do this, reaching out to smaller groups and helping bring communities together.

“The station as a whole runs on an extremely low budget and involves very large numbers of people in voluntary activity. It’s an excellent example of what community radio can be, and we should not forget that it took the dedication and persistence of a small band of volunteers to get this station up and running – they deserve great credit.

“I would be delighted to see new stations start up in parts of my constituency where none currently exist.”

Responding to the debate, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said, “There is rich potential for the community radio sector to grow and become a vital part of communities across Scotland.”

Expressing strong support for the sector, she noted that the Scottish government increased spending on advertising on community radio by 48 per cent in 2009-10 to £129,000, and in the following year the sum increased to £134,000. She also reflected on what more could be done if broadcasting were devolved to the Scottish Parliament. Ms Hyslop concluded, “The debate has been extremely useful. It has celebrated community radio, but it has also given us some direction. More important, we have seen a cross-party commitment to community radio. Community radio has a positive future in Scotland.”

Radio Beca licensed in West Wales

Andy King — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:06:42 +0000

Ofcom has today announced one community radio licence award.

Radio Beca, based in Aberystwyth, will broadcast programming in Welsh reflecting the nation’s culture to audiences in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

It is the last Welsh community radio station to be processed in the regulator’s third round of community radio licensing, and promises a large geographic coverage across the south-west of the country.

Radio Beca was founded by members of the Friends of Radio Ceredigion, a commercial station in Aberystwyth which altered its Welsh-language programming following a takeover last year.

Congratulations to the team at Radio Beca from all of us here at the CMA.

Community Radio Fund: 2012/13 Round 1

Andy King — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:22:51 +0000

Ofcom has announced that applications are now open for the First Round of the 2012/2013 Community Radio Fund.

The fund opened for applications yesterday, 10 April 2012 and will close at 5pm on 11 May 2012.

The Community Radio Fund Panel will meet to consider applications on 25 June 2012.

Grants can only be made to community radio licensees who are broadcasting under a community radio licence (and not an RSL, for example).

We strongly recommend that potential applicants take a look at the Guidance Notes, available from Ofcom’s website, along with details of previous successful applications. Ofcom generally fund positions that are likely to be able to sustain themselves financially once Community Radio Fund money has been used up, such as Business Development or Sales roles.

The latest application form and guidance notes, together with the statements detailing the outcome of previous Panel meetings, can be found here:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/radio/community-radio-fund/

For further information, please contact Ofcom’s Community Radio Team via email: community.radio@ofcom.org.uk or by telephone 020 7981 3886.

11 community radio licences awarded

Andy King — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:33:15 +0000

Radio regulator Ofcom has announced the award of eleven new community radio licences in the South West and Wales region, as part of the third round of licensing.

Community radio services are provided on a not-for-profit basis focusing on the delivery of specific social benefits to a particular geographical community or a community of interest. The new awards mean that 246 community radio licences have been awarded, with 198 currently on air serving particular community needs.

Ofcom has awarded community radio licences for eight services in south west England and three in Wales. Ofcom has awarded community radio licences to:

Bay FM Radio, Exmouth, Devon
Q-mmunity Radio, Crediton, Devon
The Voice, Barnstaple, Bideford & Ilfracombe, North Devon
Pulse, Cheddar Valley, Somerset
Access FM, Bridgwater, Somerset
Apple FM, Taunton, Somerset
Tone FM, Taunton, Somerset
AIR, Weymouth, Dorset
Glan Clwyd AM, Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire
MônFM, Isle of Anglesey
Harlech FM, Harlech, Gwynedd

Community Radio Wales in Denbighshire and Radio FAM in Prestatyn, north Wales, were considered but not awarded licences.

Full details of the awards can be found on Ofcom’s website. Congratulations go from all of us here at the CMA to all the newly licensed groups.

Ofcom Broadcasting Code – Elections

Bill Best — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:45:21 +0000

With upcoming elections (local and mayoral) Ofcom would like to remind all stations and licence holders where to find information about the Broadcasting Code rules which apply during election and referendum periods.

During election periods special impartiality rules apply and they are set out in Section Six of the Code:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/broadcast-codes/broadcast-code/elections/

The relevant Guidance Notes are at:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/guidance/831193/section6.pdf

At ALL times there are rules which apply to broadcasters concerning ‘due impartiality’ and ‘due accuracy’ and ‘undue prominence of views and opinions on matters of political or industrial controversy and matters relating to current public policy’. These rules are included in Section Five of the Broadcasting Code:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/broadcast-codes/broadcast-code/impartiality/

The Section Five guidance notes are at:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/guidance/831193/section5.pdf

In addition please find below a copy of the note to broadcasters found in the Broadcast Bulletin 202 (p5) together with a previously circulated article on broadcasting during an election which you might also find useful.

Election broadcasting article 2010

Note to Broadcasters Election and Referendum programming March 2012

Northern Ireland licences up for applications – Ofcom

Andy King — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:03:00 +0000

Ofcom is now inviting applications for community radio licences in Northern Ireland.

Most of the province has frequencies available, with the exception of Derry/Londonderry (defined as the Derry City Council area), where Drive 105 occupies the sole available frequency for community radio.

However, there are currently restrictions in place prohibiting prospective licensees in the following areas from taking on-air sponsorship and advertising:

These areas correspond with the Measured Coverage Areas of the Q Network of small commercial radio stations.

This is part of the third round of community radio licensing.

Applications have already been received from Wales and south west England and Scotland.

The full invitation for applications is available here. Applications close at 5pm on Thursday 7 June 2012.

Community Radio Fund, First Round 2012/13

Bill Best — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:40:33 +0000

The first round for funding applications in 2012/13 will open on 9 April 2012 and close at 5pm on 11 May 2012. The Community Radio Fund Panel will meet to consider applications on 25 June 2012.

Grants can only be made to community radio licensees who are broadcasting under a community radio licence (and not an RSL, for example).

The latest application form and guidance notes are available at the Ofcom website link below:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/radio/community-radio-fund/

Community Radio – A Good Practice Handbook

Bill Best — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:16:16 +0000

Among its activities to mark World Radio Day 2012, UNESCO has launched a new good practice handbook with case studies of community media from around the world. The publication draws on a diversity of experiences to provide inspiration and support for those engaged in community media practice and advocacy and to raise awareness and understanding of community media among policy makers and other stakeholders.

13 February has been proclaimed by UNESCO as a date to celebrate radio broadcast, improve international cooperation among radio broadcasters and encourage decision-makers to create and provide access to information through radio. Community Media: A Good Practice Handbook, compiled by Steve Buckley, is a compilation of 30 community radio and other community media examples demonstrating successful approaches to strengthening public voice.

“The value of this publication lies in the fact that it highlights problems while at the same time offering possible solutions. It presents a useful empirical basis for replicating time-tested decisions about how community media can become an even more effective element of a free, independent and pluralistic media system of any democratic society. This book will be a useful reference to community media practitioners, policy-makers, researchers, community organizers, and other media development stakeholders.”

From the Foreword by Wijayananda Jayaweera, former Director, Communication Development Division/IPDC, UNESCO, Paris

Ofcom Community Radio Fund – Award of grants for 2011/12 round 2

Bill Best — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:22:12 +0000

Ofcom’s Community Radio Fund Panel met on Monday 30 January to consider applications for the second round of grant awards for 2011/12. In summary, at the time of the meeting:

DCMS has allocated £442,000 for the Community Radio Fund for 2011/12 (a further £20,000 was allocated by DCMS to other community radio projects)
In the first round of funding in June 2011, the Panel made grants totalling £225,403, leaving £216,597
A further £20,548 was returned to the fund from previous grant recipients bringing the total amount available in this round of grants to £237,145
63 applications were considered
Funding applications totalled £1,116,361
16 applicants were awarded grants which totalled £237,145
47 applicants were not awarded a grant

The Panel reviewed each application and awarded funding based on the information provided, and with reference to the Community Radio Fund guidance notes. The Panels decisions were for: a full award; a partial award; or not to award any funding.

The average grant in this round was £14,821; the average grant for individual station awards, that is excluding the grants benefiting more than one station, was £13,569. A table setting out the awards is
on the website (http://bit.ly/zcv9Nk).

Issues of note arising from the Panel meeting
In the current financial climate the Panel feels strongly that, as much as possible, grants from the Community Radio Fund should help further a stations financial stability and future sustainability. Therefore, even though the Panel does consider grants for community outreach or volunteer support posts, for example, (and the Panel recognises these are core station functions) it favours, as stated in our guidance notes, applications focusing on posts that will promote long-term financial security and those that may become self-sustaining.

With regard to the applications the Panel considered in this funding round, it would like to make the following points:

A grant from the Fund for new stations is not a foregone conclusion, and applicants need to make their case sufficiently well for the Panel to be confident that a grant will be well-spent, and enhance the future viability and sustainability of the station.
The Panel would like to remind applicants to take due note of the published guidance as well as the guidelines included within the application form when completing applications. Some applications in this round sought funding for items that the panel considered ineligible. This included, for example, applications for vehicle costs, website costs, printing and publicity costs. Applicants need to refer to the list of exclusions that the Fund cannot support, which is listed in Annex A of the Community Radio Fund Guidance Notes.
Some applicants did not include sufficient information, job descriptions and/or work plans in their submissions for staff funding (question four of the grant application specifies that this is a requirement). This information is important to the Panel in order to consider whether the job description of the post to be filled corresponds with the outline description given in an application, or alternatively that the work plan for the post-holder matches the work priorities outlined in the Fund application.
With regard to roles specifically to raise funds for stations, such as fund-raiser and business development roles, the Panel considers that grants for such roles can be deemed a success if the post holder is able to raise, the equivalent of their own salary in the course of the grant spend, as well as securing funding towards station costs, and in so doing make the role self-sustaining and likely to continue once the grant has been spent.
Lastly, the Panel would like to emphasise to previous grant recipients the importance of good quality feedback on previous grant spends and that this information will be taken into account in the decision-making process (question twelve of the grant application, and separately in the grant report form). For example, for posts that included fund-raising the Panel would like to know how much money the post-holder raised.

Priorities
The Panel considers promoting long-term sustainability a critical, core activity, and will take special note of novel proposals that have this aim, such as those focusing on fund-raising and business development. The Panel also continues to believe there is scope for collaborative working or joint applications from stations.

Applications for the first round of funding in 2012/13
Application will be invited on 9 April 2012, with a closing date of 11 May 2012. The Panel will meet to make decisions on these applications on 25 June 2012. £429,000 will be available for the 2012/13 Fund period.

Further information and details grants awarded in the second round for 2011/12 : http://bit.ly/zcv9Nk

“No Impact of Community Radio on Commercial Radio” concludes US Goverment

Bill Best — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:08:49 +0000

A report from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in Washington D.C. has found that, on the whole, low-power FM (LPFM) radio stations – as community radio is known in the United States – generally do not have an economic impact on commercial FM radio stations and nor are they expected to do so in the future.

That is the conclusion of a 106-page report that has been submitted to the US Congress as a requirement of the US Local Community Radio Act of 2010.

To quote from the Report and Economic Study, the “results of [the] analysis show that, on the whole, LPFM stations do not currently have, and in the future are unlikely to have, a demonstrable economic impact on full-service commercial FM radio stations”.

The FCC found, after compiling information its own and a commercial database, that LPFM stations serve primarily small and rural markets and have geographic and population reaches that are magnitudes smaller than those of full-service commercial FM stations.

Additionally, LPFM stations generally have not been in operation as long as full-service commercial FM stations, have less of an Internet presence, and offer different programming formats. The Commission also found that by all available measures the average LPFM station has minimal ratings and has a much smaller audience size than those of most full-service stations in the same market.

Notably, however, there is evidence to suggest that the most popular LPFM stations have a fan base that, though relatively small, is comprised of a loyal listener base. Specifically, a number of the LPFM stations achieve high values of Time Spent Listening (“TSL”), indicating that listeners to LPFM stations tend to tune in for long periods of time.

The second part of the Study looked in-depth at eight LPFM stations to provide a snapshot of the wider sector. Although each of the stations differs considerably in its individual characteristics, the results of the case studies show that the selected LPFM stations generally broadcast a wide variety of programming continuously throughout the day, operate with very small budgets, rely on mostly part-time and volunteer staff, do not have measurable ratings, have limited population reach, and do not generate significant underwriting earnings. All but one of the station managers interviewed stated that the LPFM station is not competing directly for listeners with any specific full-service stations.

The third section of the Study assessed the potential ability of LPFM stations to compete with full-service commercial FM stations based on their relative positions of economic strength in the radio marketplace. The conclusion was that given their regulatory and operational constraints, LPFM stations are unlikely to have more than a negligible economic impact on full-service commercial FM stations.

Full report here [PDF].

New guidance for radio broadcasters on offensive language

Bill Best — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:38:53 +0000

Ofcom has published new guidance for radio broadcasters on the use of offensive language:

Download: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/guidance/831193/offensive-language.pdf

The Ofcom Broadcasting Code rules on the use of offensive language on radio remain unchanged. However, the new guidance is designed to explain these rules in more detail and assist radio broadcasters in their compliance with them. Particular focus is given to:

lyrics in music tracks;
live music performances/interviews/studio conversation; and
speech and comedy content.

Four new community radio licences awarded

Bill Best — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:48:47 +0000

Ofcom has announced the award of four new community radio licences
for south west England in the third round of community radio licensing.

Licences have been awarded to:

• Blandford Garrison FM (Blandford Forum, Dorset)

• Bradley Stoke Radio (Bradley Stoke, South Gloucestershire)

• Radio Sherborne (Sherborne, Dorset)

• Radio Winchcombe (Winchcombe, Gloucestershire)

Further details about these four new community radio services are available here:

http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2011/12/08/ofcom-awards-four-new-community-radio-licences-december/

Four new community radio licences awarded

Community Radio: Ofcom’s Annual Report on the Sector 2010/2011

Bill Best — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:29:31 +0000

Ofcom has published its Community Radio Annual Report. Each station that has been broadcasting for more than a year is required to complete an annual report. The reports, which cover the period of April 2010 to March 2011, detail how each station has performed against its key commitments and identifies its sources of income and expenditure. These are used by Ofcom to compile its annual report on the sector.

Invitation of applications for community radio licences: SCOTLAND

Bill Best — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:34:26 +0000

Ofcom, in accordance with section 104(1) of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (“the 1990 Act”) (as amended by the Communications Act 2003 and as modified by the Community Radio Order 2004 and further modified by the Community Radio (Amendment) Order 2010), invites applications for licences to provide community radio services in localities within Scotland. This part of the United Kingdom is shown as Area 2 on the map in Annex 2 to the notice. These licences are being offered for the provision of services on either the FM (VHF) waveband or the AM (medium wave) band, for an initial maximum period of five years from the commencement of broadcasting.

1.2 No applications may be made in relation to any areas or localities in the United Kingdom outside Scotland.

1.3 The closing-date for the receipt of completed applications will be 5.00 p.m. on Tuesday 14 February 2012. A non-refundable fee of £600 will be payable for each application submitted and considered.

For more information, click here.

Ofcom Community Radio Fund Second Round

Bill Best — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:12:42 +0000

The second round for funding applications in 2011/12 opened on 19
October and will close at 5pm on 16 November 2011. The Community Radio
Fund Panel will meet to consider applications on 30 January 2012.

Grants can only be made to community radio licensees who are
broadcasting under a community radio licence (and not an RSL, for
example).

The latest application form and guidance notes are available below.
Please also see statements detailing the outcome of previous Panel
meetings.

For further information, please contact Ofcom’s Community Radio Team
via email: community.radio@ofcom.org.uk or by telephone 020 7981 3870.

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/radio/community-radio-fund/

Ofcom Community Radio Fund End of Year Report 2010-11

Bill Best — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:21:44 +0000

Excerpt:

1.1 The Community Radio Fund (“the Fund”) carried out two rounds of
grant awards in the 2010/11 financial year (1 April 2010 to 31 March
2011). The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) allocated
£463,000 towards the Fund for this period. Ofcom administers the
Fund on behalf of DCMS and decisions on grant applications are made
by a panel which reports to the Ofcom Board. Grants from the Fund can
only be made to community radio licensees to support core costs
incurred in the provision of community radio services.

1.2 Applications for the first grant round opened on 14 April 2010 and
closed on 11 May 2010. The Community Radio Fund Panel (“the
Panel”) met on 28 June 2010 to consider the applications.

1.3 The second funding round opened on 12 October 2010 and closed
on 9 November 2010. The Panel met on 24 January 2011 to consider
the applications.

Community Radio Fund end of year report: 2010/11 PDF Document (124 kB):

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/radio-ops/crf/crf-10-11.pdf

Ofcom invites comments on measuring media plurality

Bill Best — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:19:32 +0000

Ofcom is inviting comments on measuring media plurality,
following a request to consider this area by the Secretary of State
Jeremy Hunt.

At the end of last year, in Ofcom‘s report on the public interest test
on the proposed acquisition of British Sky Broadcasting Group by News
Corporation, the Regulator suggested that possible reform of the
current framework around plurality may be required.

Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and
Sport, has written to Ofcom and asked the Regulator to assess how
practical it would be to set limits on media ownership to protect
plurality. The Secretary of State also asked Ofcom to recommend a
framework for measuring plurality across different media.

Parliament has seen it as important to safeguard plurality because of
an organisation’s ability to influence opinions and set the political
agenda if it has too much control of the media. Ofcom‘s findings will
be provided to the Secretary of State and given as evidence to the
Leveson Inquiry by June 2012.

Current plurality rules:
++++++++++++++++

Currently, there is a range of rules in place to safeguard plurality.
These include the media public interest test, which can be triggered
on the grounds of plurality when there is a merger between media
enterprises. Other rules include restrictions on national cross-media
ownership.

Questions for comment:
++++++++++++++++++

Ofcom is inviting comments on the questions that have been asked by
the Secretary of State including:

What are the options for measuring media plurality across platforms?
What do you recommend is the best approach?
Is it practical or advisable to set absolute limits on news market share?
What could trigger a review of plurality in the absence of a merger, how might this be monitored and by whom?
Could or should a framework for measuring levels of plurality include websites and if so which ones?
Whether or how it should include the BBC?

Ofcom has started work to respond to these questions and would like to
provide any interested parties with the opportunity to comment. Ofcom
invites written submissions by 18 November 2011.

The invitation to comment may be found here:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/measuring-plurality/

Source

13th February proposed as World Radio Day

Bill Best — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:35:05 +0000

UNESCO’s Executive Board has recommended the establishment of a World Radio Day. The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has suggested the date of 13 February: the day when UN radio was first established in 1946. The new World Day will raise awareness about the importance of the medium, facilitate access to information through radio, and enhance networking among broadcasters.

Radio is recognised as a low cost communications medium, specifically suited to reach remote communities and vulnerable people: the illiterate, the disabled, women, youth and the poor, while offering a platform to engage in public debate irrespective of people’s educational level. Furthermore, radio has a strong and specific role in emergency communication and disaster relief. There is also a changing face to radio services which, in the present times of media convergence, are taking up new formats such as broadband, mobiles and tablets. However it is said that up to a billion people still do not have access to radio services today.

UNESCO started a comprehensive consultation process in June 2011. It included a wide range of stakeholders i.e. broadcasting associations; public, state, private, community and international broadcasters; UN agencies; funds and programmes; topic-related NGOs; academia; foundations and bilateral development agencies; as well as UNESCO Permanent Delegations and National Commissions.

Among the responses received, 91% were in favour of the project. The project leader, the Academia Española de la Radio, received over 46 letters of support from diverse stakeholders, including the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB), the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the International Association of Broadcasting (IAB), the North American Broadcasters Association (NABA), the Organización de Telecomunicaciones Iberoamericanas (OTI), BBC, URTI, Vatican Radio, etc. A World Radio Day Feasibility Study [PDF] provides more details about the consultation process.

The date of 13 February, the day United Nations radio was first established in 1946, was proposed by the Director-General of UNESCO. The objectives of the Day will be to raise greater awareness among the public and the media of the importance of radio; to encourage decision makers to establish and provide access to information through radio; as well as to enhance networking and international cooperation among broadcasters.

The consulted stakeholders also proposed ideas for the programme of celebration: extensive use of social media, annual themes, a dedicated website enabling virtual participation, special radio programmes, radio programmes exchange, a festival involving key partners, and so forth.

The Executive Board recommends that the upcoming General Conference proclaims a World Radio Day on 13 February and that the Director-General of UNESCO submits the final resolution to the United Nations General Assembly for endorsement.

Source.

Gateway to voluntary sector research launches

Bill Best — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:26:15 +0000

Anyone needing evidence on issues concerning the voluntary
sector can now search the new Third Sector Knowledge Portal.

The Portal was launched recently by the Third Sector Research Centre,
at an event held at the British Library to showcase the first three
years of work by the Centre. It has been built in partnership with the
British Library and funded by £200,000 from the Big Lottery Fund. It
can be found at:

http://www.tsrc.ac.uk

A one-stop knowledge resource, the Portal brings together evidence on
a range of subjects including policy, social and economic impact and
funding and will help inform the work of researchers, policymakers,
academics, frontline service providers and other VCS stakeholders
across the country.

The Portal is a growing resource that will provide access to a range
of materials, including academic research, reports produced by
voluntary organisations, government publications and training
materials. It will offer free downloadable content wherever possible,
as well as linking users to books and other materials via the British
Library.

The Portal will also enable others to share and preserve their
research. TSRC is working in partnership with organisations and
individuals to make their collections available, and welcomes contact
from those with relevant research. Depositing material in the Portal
will help it reach a wider audience, bridging the gap between research
and the expertise of those working in and with the sector.

Pete Alcock, Director of TSRC said ‘TSRC believes in the importance of
evidence to inform decision and policy making. As well as helping to
develop evidence on the sector, we are committed to increasing the
capacity of the sector to use research. This Portal will make it
easier for people to find and use the wide range of research resources
on the sector.’

Peter Wanless, Chief Executive of BIG who launched the Portal, said:
“The voluntary and community sector is not short of evidence
reviews, research or information but it is often fragmented and
difficult to access and the Big Lottery Fund is delighted to be able
to offer support in addressing this issue.

“As an Intelligent Funder, BIG is convinced that many of the solutions
to deep rooted social problems can be found in sharing and building on
existing effective practice. A resource such as this, which enables
those working in a field of social interventions to compare notes with
each other and to add to the evidence of what seems to work on the
ground, is key to bringing about long lasting positive changes to
those most in need.”

Source

Ofcom awards three new community radio licences

Bill Best — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:34:40 +0000

Ofcom has announced the award of three new community radio licences. These are the first awards in Ofcom’s third round of community radio licensing.

Community radio services are provided on a not-for-profit basis focusing on the delivery of specific social benefits to enrich a particular geographical community or a community of interest.

Ofcom has awarded community radio licences to:

Fantasy Radio (Devizes, Wiltshire)

Fantasy Radio will provide an entertaining, educational and informative service for the community of Devizes and surrounding villages.

Frome FM (Frome, Somerset)

Frome FM will broadcast a local community service focussed on serving the tastes and interests of people who live and work in and around Frome.

WCR Community Radio (Warminster, Wiltshire)

WCR Community Radio will broadcast a local community service for the people of Warminster and the surrounding area. There will be a particular focus on serving the over 35s and 16-20 age groups.

Licences are awarded for a five-year period.

A statement setting out the main determining factors for the award of the community radio licences referred to above will be published in the radio licensing section of Ofcom’s September Communications Monthly Update.

Source.