[cma-l] Appeal to all Station Managers / Project Leaders

Thu Sep 3 23:44:31 BST 2009

hi Phil

Just wanted to add my support to Mr Gibbons email.

Read the original email for the first time today, and I honestly thought it was a joke and a posting from someone with..er... time on their hands!! 

On further reading, I found myself thinking, not only how inappropriate but how naive, but I have to say I felt your anger more then I did Mr Suttie. While I understand where Mr Suttie may be coming from, it was wrong, and I do wonder about the quick reply to an apology, considering the ferocity of opinion expressed. Having said, emails in support of Mr Suttie were..well, not a lot you can say, other then..huh!!. 

The original email did have an additional effect on me..it re-affirmed to me how far this sector still is from being taken seriously, and that is probably one reason why funding is not so forthcoming. And I can understand why that is. The fault, entirely the government's in their definition of community, which was given to OFCOM.

To be honest, even though I have signed the petition (which I may now withdraw!!), it is naive to think it will have any effect, politics does not work like this, especially in the current timing...if I was in government, though funding should be forthcoming, I would be reluctant to offer additional funding right now without real checks and balances, and right now, there's a lot of checks and balances that need to be made. For me, there are too many on the CMA list and in the sector as a whole, by no means the majority but broadcasters that fall into the category of religious fascists and extremists, political activitists, conspiracy theorists and simply thugs, and the odd racist thrown in...in other words, people with no understanding of radio, its responsibility, its role in the modern world, and the people we can all be..like I said, thankfully not the majority..I hope!!

Time I think for a quick snipe at the government...it can't be right to give licences to a community within a community and then request that the radio station's remit is community cohesion, social integration and economic regeneration within that broadcast reach..doh!!...thankfully not an issue for 91.8 Hayes fm www.hayesfm.org so get the definition right and then up the funding and put in appropriate checks and balances!!..

I am sure Steve is a 'great' guy, but he should have known that such an email will have a negative effect on positive responses to the petition, and those who supported his email..well...'huh' can't agree!!..it's not the making of leaders, it doesn't bring positive change nor does it attract serious discussion or be taken seriously...radio has a greater responsibility then that...it is not something that serious broadcasters should attach themselves to.

Anyway, must go and good to check in with everyone..!!

Sutish K Sharma (Mr)
Director
Hayes FM_Film & Media (inc 91.8 Hayes FM)
D/L : 020 8573 7992

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Phil Gibbons 
  To: Stevensuttie at aol.com ; cma-l at commedia.org.uk 
  Sent: Wednesday, September 02, 2009 10:56 PM
  Subject: Re: [cma-l] Appeal to all Station Managers / Project Leaders

  Steven,

  I'm all for open debate and fully support this forum, petition and the call for signatures. I do however (as you fully expected - If you feel that my outburst is rude, unnecessary, offensive or wide of the mark - please feel free to mock me and tell me why right here on the CMA mailing list), feel the need to reply to your post, some comments of which are totally outrageous - unless of course I have missed the 'irony' in your comments:

  Obviously, the people who are at the forefront of running community radio are a bunch of lazy, self serving morons who deserve to be sacked for being so inept that they cannot even manage to get their people to sign a flipping petition on a computer! Highly abusive, unnecessary and downright insulting to the many hardworking and committed project and station managers who work tirelessly with and for the community. Their people??

  To me it simply demonstrates that the fortunate people who have inherited the job of running community radio are lazy, self serving and half hearted. And a bit rubbish actually! Its an embarrassment. For the record I have been facilitating a community radio project in Bristol for six years now and am certainly not lazy, self serving or half hearted, and neither am I a bit rubbish. Sweeping statements like this do nothing to create a good cohesive sector. If we embarrass you so much, the factory is calling you!

  But get your bloody finger out and get the petition signed by ALL your team and partners first. XXX. Doesn't even warrant a response.

  If this is the sort of post that is going to be on this forum then I don't hold much hope for the continuation of constructive debate. If we can't have decent posts, then I shall simply unsubscribe from the list.

  Please think very seriously before posting damaging and insulting garbage like this again Steven.

  With slightly fewer regards,
  Phil

  Phil Gibbons - Station Manager
  phil at bcfm.org.uk

  Bristol's Community radio station - Your voice - Your choice!
  93.2fm in Bristol
  Online at: www.bcfm.org.uk

  WINNERS - Most innovative project in Bristol Award - VOSCUR Awards 2009

  0560 1126659 - Office
  0117 9553721 - Studio

  www.bcfm.org.uk

  The Beacon Centre
  City Academy Bristol
  Russell Town Avenue
  Bristol
  BS5 9JH
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Stevensuttie at aol.com 
    To: cma-l at commedia.org.uk 
    Sent: Tuesday, September 01, 2009 9:56 PM
    Subject: [cma-l] Appeal to all Station Managers / Project Leaders

    Hands up if you are sick hearing about the number 10 petition.

    Crikey... that's a lot of hands!

    Obviously, the people who are at the forefront of running community radio are a bunch of lazy, self serving morons who deserve to be sacked for being so inept that they cannot even manage to get their people to sign a flipping petition on a computer!

    I know first hand how hard it is to manage a community radio service. Theres not enough hours in the day... theres always something that still needs doing... and theres always somebody who needs you to do something that you can't justify the time for. I guess lots of you are struggling to find the time for this petition. Indeed, reading this here e-mail.

    I see that some of our "colleagues" in Scotland don't want to sign the petition because they feel aggrieved at Government policy regarding community radio, and won't see any benefits. (They weren't moaning when they first got their licenses though?) Some station managers have not bothered e-mailing their volunteers the link. But, they've signed it themselves. Some managers haven't even heard about it?

    My job involves working 7 days a week. I have volunteers phoning me up "for a chat" at half ten at night! But, despite the long hours, the hard days, the boring meetings... I know I am lucky enough to have the best job in the world and I am eternally grateful to community radio for giving me a chance to get out of the factory. Community radio has provided me a job where no two days are the same, where there is always fun and excitement, and massive rewards, every day. 

    I particularly love the fact that my job offers me the chance to get paid for having a great time giving others a great time. I love it that over 120 people a week have a highlight to look forward to, and that tens of listeners enjoy listening!

    I'm not too arrogant to realise that the factory still exists and I could go back there at anytime.

    I thought that all station managers in the sector would feel as passionate, and feel fortunate to be in such a bloody great position. But this official government petition episode demonstrates that there is a lot of complacent and lackadaisical people working in, and - more importantly managing community radio.

    How can any manager not see the benefits in urging their volunteers, partners, listeners and supporters to sign a petition that is asking for greater support for the sector? Its absolutely bonkers that only 2,170 people can be arsed to sign this petition despite countless reminders, e-mails and phone calls. To me it simply demonstrates that the fortunate people who have inherited the job of running community radio are lazy, self serving and half hearted. And a bit rubbish actually! Its an embarrassment. 

    Every station manager, volunteer co-ordinator, chairman, cleaner et al has a duty to urge EVERY practitioner to sign the damn petition. Keep the PC on the site and drag EVERY volunteer to it if needs be. Just bloody do it... or lets all admit that we are actually quite an embarrassing bunch of bores who can't even get 10% of our people to click a link and press a few keys on a keyboard.

    If you feel that my outburst is rude, unnecessary, offensive or wide of the mark - please feel free to mock me and tell me why right here on the CMA mailing list.

    But get your bloody finger out and get the petition signed by ALL your team and partners first. XXX

    Kindest Regards
    Steve Suttie
    Station Manager, 94.4FM Salford City Radio
    office 0161 793 2939 
    mobile 07772 355 852
    WINNERS - Community Award - Salford Business Awards 2009
    Visit our Website www.salfordcityradio.org

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