[cma-l] Ofcom publishes Annual Report for 2008/9

[CMA-L]

Ofcom has published its Annual Report 2008/9 covering the financial
year to 31 March 2009.

In addition, Ofcom published its Section 400 Accounts. This covers
spectrum, TV and radio licence fee payments as well as financial
penalties.

Both documents can be found here:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/accoun/reports_plans/annrep0809/

The sections on community radio and media literacy are as follows:

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*Radio licensing:*

One of the great UK broadcasting success stories in the last few years
has been the mushrooming number of community radio stations.

Community radio stations are not-for-profit stations that cover a
small geographical area. A typical station is operated by around 75
volunteers, typically broadcasting 81 hours of original and
distinctive output a week.

In March 2009, Ofcom published its first Annual Report of Community
Radio, highlighting that 130 community stations were now on air, with
a potential audience of eight million listeners.

The stations are a microcosm of local cultures and tastes across the
UK, ranging from urban music (New Style, Birmingham) to the armed
forces (Garrison FM, Edinburgh) to religious communities (Cross
Rhythms, Stoke-on-Trent). They also provide a valued training ground
for aspiring broadcasters and producers. For example, WCR Radio
Wolverhampton provides accredited radio training, and 44 of its 49
trainees now hold a qualification in radio production.

At the close of the reporting year, another 50 stations were preparing
for launch.

*Community radio licences*

Throughout the year, Ofcom awarded community radio licences to 27 new
stations. They were:
April 2008

    * Amber Sound FM (Ripley, Amber Valley, Derbyshire)
    * Erewash Sound (llkeston, Derbyshire)
    * Tulip Radio (Spalding, South Holland , Lincolnshire )
    * Takeover Radio (Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire)

May 2008

    * TCR FM (Tamworth, Staffordshire)
    * Switch Radio (Castle Vale, Birmingham)
    * Ambur Radio (Walsall)
    * SACDA Radio (Sandwell, West Midlands)
    * Raaj FM (Sandwell, West Midlands)

June 2008

    * EAVA FM (Leicester)
    * Demon FM (Leicester)
    * Kohinoor FM (Leicester)

July 2008

    * Hermitage FM (Coalville, Ibstock and Ashby-de-la-Zouch)
    * Cross Rhythms Coventry
    * The Hillz Radio (Coventry)
    * Inspiration FM (Northampton)

September 2008

    * Corby Radio (Northants)

November 2008

    * Gaydio (Manchester)
    * Unity Radio (Manchester)

February 2009

    * Blyth Valley Radio (Southwold)
    * Radio West Suffolk (Bury St Edmunds)
    * Felixstowe Radio (Felixstowe)
    * Zeta Digital FM (Forest Heath)

March 2009

    * CAM (Cambridge)
    * Wayland Radio (Swaffham and Watton, Norfolk)
    * Carolina FM (East Braintree, Essex)
    * Future Radio (Norwich)

*Media literacy*

Media literacy, which we define as the ability to access, understand
and create communications in a variety of contexts, was identified as
a key priority for Ofcom in 2008/9. Additional resource was made
available to develop our work in this area.

The Digital Britain Interim Report published in January 2009 called on
Ofcom to work with the BBC and others to recommend a new definition
and ambition for a National Media Literacy Plan. Ofcom convened and
chaired a working group including members from Government, education,
industry and the third sector to set out a range of strategic options
to drive digital engagement for all sections of society.

Ofcom is represented on the executive board and working groups of the
UK Council for Child Internet Safety formed following the Byron Review
into the safety of children on the internet and in games.

Throughout the year we published significant research to better
understand people's relationship to media and telecommunications. The
second wave of our Media Literacy Audits published in 2008 identified
changes since the first audit published in 2006 in use, understanding
and creativity across television, radio, internet and mobiles.
Research into the use of digital technologies for social networking
and democratic engagement were well received by stakeholders.

This year also saw the establishment of media literacy networks in
Scotland and Northern Ireland following the success of the Wales Media
Literacy Network established in 2007.

Our work to engage with stakeholders across the EU and internationally
saw the establishment of an International Media Literacy Research
Forum to bring together researchers, policy makers and regulators to
share best practice in the promotion of media literacy.

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Community Media Association
-- 
http://www.commedia.org.uk/
http://twitter.com/community_media