lecture notes week 7

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LECTURE NOTES WEEK 7

Week Seven
Community Media: The State Of Play.

1) Community Media In Australia

Community Media can take many forms, but radio (4ZZZ, 4EB, 4RPH) and
Television (Briz 31) represent the most common.
There are basically seven main types of community broadcaster, and the
broadcaster has to categorise themselves when applying for a licence.
Fine Music (4MBS): These stations are often funded by subscription, with
programming catering to under-represented tastes in the community.
Education (2NCR): Covers a wide range of special interests including gay
and lesbian, Aboriginal and ethnic as well as the broadcasting of
educational material. Usually funded by universities and other sources.
Ethnic (4EB): Provides services to a wide range of ethnic communities,
with programming content and funding coming from within the community.
(Possible conflict with the SBS?)
Aboriginal: (4AAA): Broadcasts material deemed to be of interest to
indigenous people, with emphasis on news and information. Primarily funded
by ATSIC.
Print-handicapped (4RPH) Tend to broadcast mainly on the AM band and
feature material for the visually impaired. Often facing severe financial
problems and occasionally resort to selling airtime to other groups to
offset costs.
Progressive (4ZZZ) According to some, owned and operated by the
Anti-Christ, these types of stations tend to promote political and social
activism. Funding is primarily through subscription, and are often strong
supporters of local and non-commercial music.
Christian (4CRB): Provides services based on "sound Christian ethics
producing wholesome broadcasting". Often funded by church groups, although
content tends to be non-denominational.

2) Community Media: the Pros

Community stations provide services for groups marginalised by mainstream
broadcasting.
Allows community members access to the media in a real way.
Acts as a counter measure against the concentration of media ownership.
Can create a focus for community activity.
Can promote local content which might otherwise be overlooked.

3) Community Media: The Cons.

Most community broadcasters struggle for funding.
Audience for stations are generally small, meaning little political power.
Community licences can be difficult to obtain.
Community broadcasters have trouble keeping up with technological change.

4) The Roles and Responsibilities of Community Media

Community Broadcasters will:

- Provide their services in the public interest as defined in the
licensee's application to the licencing authority.
- Have organised mechanisms to provide for active participation by the
community in its management, development and operations.
- Be controlled and operated by an autonomous body which is representative
of the licensee's community.
- Operate on a non-profit basis.
- Demonstrate independence in their programming as well as in their
editorial and management decisions.
- Incorporate programming policies which oppose and attempt to break down
prejudice on the basis of race, sex, nationality, religion, disability,
ethnic background, age or sexual preference.
- Establish programming practices which protect children from harmful
program material.
- Present programs which contribute to expanding the variety of viewpoints
broadcast in Australia, and enhance the diversity of programming choices
available to the public.
- Seek to widen the community's involvement in broadcasting.

5) Who is Responsible for Community Media?

The ABA is the primary body for allocating community broadcasting
licences, under Section 15 of the BSA.
It recognises two main types of community broadcaster: special interest
and broad-based community, although these are not written into policy.
Advertisement are not permitted, although sponsorship announcements are.
E.g. "Chester's Cheesy Bits, makers of Australia's tastiest and most
popular snacks, is the proud sponsor of…."
Each sector of the community broadcasting market has its own
representative body:
- Association of Christian Broadcasters
- Radio for the Print-handicapped Australian Film Television & Radio School
Community Broadcasting Association of Australia.
- National Ethnic and Multi-cultural Broadcasting Council
- National Indigenous Media Association of Australia.

6) The Community Broadcasting Foundation.

· The CBF was established in 1984 as an independent company to administer
grants to the community broadcasting sector, under an agreement with the
Federal Government.
· In addition to administering funds, the CBF is also required to solicit
grants, donations, gifts and other contributions from the private sector,
institutions, trade unions groups and individuals.

7) The Impact of New Technology

· Some have argued that new media may further marginalise community media
through increased market segmentation.
· In an effort to prevent this, the federal government has enacted
provisions to ensure that there is a place for community media when digital
television begins.
· In some cases, new technology can actually help strengthen community
media - cable channels often set aside space for community content.
· While the Internet may contribute to the segmentation of the market, it
must be remembered that the Net doesn't really target the same market as
community broadcasting.

Mark J. Finn
Associate Lecturer
School of Film, Media and Cultural Studies
Griffith University
Nathan, Qld, 4111.

Email: m.finn@mailbox.gu.edu.au
Room: 2.44, Level 2 Humanities Building
Phone: 3875 7434
Mobile: 0412 248 150