Aussie Radio Royalty Jump On Board In Final Bid To Rescue Community Radio
Community radio listeners around the state are no longer able to remain quiet about the Coalitions $1.4 million cut to funding of the sector, leaving the voices of people-powered radio to be left unheard.
The recent announcement was inaudibly introduced in the last federal budget by Scott Morrison – causing around 37 community-run stations to run the risk of being switched off.
The Australian public has prepared for a fight to save volunteer-based stations from shutting their doors.
ALP Shadow Minister for Communications Jason Clare announced on Sydney’s FBi Radio that his party will endeavour to reverse the cuts to community radio if elected on 2 July.
Community radio is the independent voice of our communities. We'll ensure it continues to thrive.#keepcommunityradio https://t.co/qmDFInYyLc
— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) June 2, 2016
“The Labor party started the roll out of digital radio across Australia when we were in Government…If this money is not provided, and it stops in around 3 weeks’ time, then there’s a risk that radio stations like FBi won’t be able to continue to broadcast.”
Melbourne MP Adam Bandt says the Greens won’t stop their support to fund community broadcasters, in their mission to broaden the amount of radio available to listeners in Australia.
The Greens Senator Scott Ludlam said community radio was essential to avoid mainstream media from taking over the broadcasting landscape.
Greens will restore community radio funding cuts. Now let's get Libs to change their mind too! #keepcommunityradio pic.twitter.com/JzCfAKtY1W
— Adam Bandt (@AdamBandt) June 2, 2016
“At a time in which control of the mainstream media is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a shrinking number of oligarchs, the alternative voices provided by community broadcasters are more important than ever,” said Senator Ludlam.
The push for funding to community radio stations remains an important topic within the arts sector. For decades aspiring talents, radio jocks and musicians have gained their all important first opportunity on community radio, to learn the basics and broadcast their own skills.
A study by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia confirmed that people-powered radio stations offer an alternative source of news and information about the community, with less stereotyping of Indigenous people.
Without community radio I wouldn't have my career. Indigenous radio stations and @4ZZZ are too important to lose #keepcommunityradio
— Rhianna Patrick (@RhiannaPatrick) May 5, 2016
The report also concluded that the community broadcasting sector in Australia enables members to connect and create communities; more accurately representing Australia’s social and cultural diversity unlike other media outlets.
My first ever slot was on Community Radio. Actually that may not be the best argument, but still #KEEPCOMMUNITYRADIO https://t.co/H02s9P75kR
— Lindsay McDowens (@doctormcdougall) June 2, 2016
Soz i'm late, was busy at the job I got thanks to community radio. Let's #KeepCommunityRadio https://t.co/41YNwIyxnS pic.twitter.com/sktIoVnA83
— Bec Petraitis (@becness) June 3, 2016
Supporters have taken to Twitter and Facebook to show their support for community stations, using the hashtag #KeepCommunityRadio in a campaign to save the voices of Australia’s best talent from going to waste.
Aussie artists including Courtney Barnett, Remi, Saskwatch and Josh Pyke have backed the campaign to stop the government from cutting funds.
Popular Australian comedy duo Hamish and Andy endorsed the fight for community radio after using the homegrown platform to kick off their own careers in the media industry.
While Triple J’s Zan Rowe also thanked community broadcasting for growing her skills in radio presenting.
The Smith Street Band and Violent Soho took their support to new levels, holding a surprise gig at the Crow Bar in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane on the 6 July to raise funds for local radio station 4ZZZ.
Collectively, the bands raised $3, 500 dollars worth of funds to the community-run station, with the funds going towards supporting the local music scene.
For more information and to sign the petition to #KeepCommunityRadio visit the website here.