[cma-l] Pressure

[Trevor Lockwood]

We must all be very aware that we will be subjected to many new pressures.

Commercial media, in all its forms, is in jeopardy, although the 
Australian is now in bed with Mr Cameron who has already said that Ofcom 
will change, perhaps disappear, and more control of access to new will 
result.

That should be an opportunity for us, as we can garner local news, and 
Google and many others will provide the rest. Such an approach will 
leave the Australian sitting up his gum tree.

At the same time we should be actively campaigning for a portion of the 
licence fee - we are media stations - so that campaign should be part of 
our everyday schedules. We need to shout about the unfairness of the 
situation now - and keep doing it. Every MP, local councillor, and all 
our listeners must be made aware of the disparity: the BBC wallow in 
luxury, whilst we stand on street corners with a begging bowl that's too 
small. It needs to change.

Community media is no longer an inconsequential local matter, playing 
items not carried elsewhere - we are a power to be reckoned with because 
we are so close to the public, to real people.

An election looms, so each parliamentary candidate must be asked where 
they stand on licence fee allocation. Each party must be asked to make 
it part of their manifesto.

Unless we take a public stance then CR001 will just be the start of 
stagnation, that will destroy us all.

This needs to be a national campaign. This is no time to be parochial.

Trevor Lockwood
Chairman

01394 282123
www.felixstoweradio.co.uk
107.5 FM
Felixstowe Radio Community Interest Company
Registered Number 6419058
3 Great Eastern Square, Felixstowe IP11 7DY