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

Fri Sep 4 16:17:20 BST 2009

I say Sutish you give life to my observations re passionate blighters earlier. 

Certainly you represent a pertinent view of the flawed legislation, and certainly I'm from the all encompassing school - but an important aspect of the fight for legislation over the years was predicated on the basis of human rights for those without voices to have a platform that was not mediated or controlled by mainstream sensibilities - so that they could have a voice. That means you get the rough with the smooth - depending on your view of what is rough and what is smooth. Not withstanding that position clearly the insightful observations you make about the politics and the current economic client are there to be negotiated as best we can.

There were a number of people whose interests that were not adequately reflected in the final legislative scheme of things e.g. pirates. The subtle aspiration of commercially minded  BME groups with a desire to
 capacity build into a clear commercial existence remains a subject we all avoid somewhat. Indeed the history of radio in the UK aside from the BBC has been driven along a path that required people to act illegally in pursuit of legal operation - maybe I should include the BBC ooooh! I digress - the point is we got the best deal we could in the face of opposition from the Commercial sector and the BBC in facilitating a chance for anyone who otherwise wouldn't have had a bat's chance in hell - which ever version of hell they believe in.

You are a splendid chap - I've met you and I am very sympathetic to your position and goals around social cohesion, community involement et al  -but still I would defend the rights of those who I do not agree with to have a go at this crazy little thing called radio, however myopic. I know I am almost pathologically fluffy in my own secular liberalism but I'll fight anyone - unless they're bigger than me and obviously not you -  who says we have no room for anything other than a specific view of what community radio should be.

I hope this strikes a chord at least to some extent with all those concerned about the future of community radio.

And on that note many thanks to those who responded so delightfully to my earlier foray into the list - you are too kind - especially Karl.

All the very best to everyone involved in delivering Community Media - even the ones who don't agree with me.

Lolx  

--- On Thu, 3/9/09, Office - Hayes FM <office at hayesfm.org> wrote:

From: Office - Hayes FM <office at hayesfm.org>
Subject: Re:
 [cma-l] Appeal to all Station Managers / Project Leaders
To: "Phil Gibbons" <phil at bcfm.org.uk>, Stevensuttie at aol.com, cma-l at commedia.org.uk
Date: Thursday, 3 September, 2009, 11:44 PM

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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