[cma-l] Community radio fight for better funding backed by MP

[CMA-L]

From: Cambridge Liberal Democrats <info at cambridgelibdems.org.uk>

Cambridge's Community Radio Station, 209radio on 105 FM, is backed by
the city's MP David Howarth as it joins a mass lobby of Prime Minister
Gordon Brown in a bid to get increased funding.

Station Manager Karl Hartland, his volunteers and staff are supporting
the national protest which will also target the broadcasting watchdog,
Ofcom and the Department for Culture Media and Sport.

The protest has been organised on the 5th anniversary of the passing
of the Community Radio Order by the House of Lords and as the
government carries out a review of the sector.

Mr Howarth, who is an avid supporter of 209radio, said: "These radio
stations have proved across the country that they are a valuable part
of the communities they serve and it is time this was recognised
through the grant process.

"Some of these stations are struggling to survive and it would be a
great loss to their communities if they were forced to close because
they have not been able to get the level of grant aid they deserve."

Last year, 150 licensed community radio stations shared a fund of just £500,000

The protest has been organised by Sheffield Live! radio station
director, Steve Buckley, who formerly worked on Cambridge Community
Radio.

Protesters have collected signatures to an open letter to Prime
Minister Gordon Brown, highlighting the funding situation and calling
for more coherent inter-departmental thinking with regard to the
sector, its work and its sustainability.

Mr Hartland said: "This is a fitting time to look back on the
Community Radio sector's many successes and, in light of the current
review, to make as much impact as we can to address current issues.

"Not least of these is the inadequate scale of the Community Radio
Fund, a grant scheme that should be very much larger than it is at
this stage five years on."

http://www.cambridgelibdems.org.uk/news/000807/community_radio_fight_for_better_funding_backed_by_mp.html

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