[cma-l] Appeal to all Station Managers / Project Leaders
Office - Hayes FM
office at hayesfm.org
Sat Sep 5 22:06:22 BST 2009
Hi Lol
As always, an email from Lol requires one to stop what they are doing and have a read. It also reminds me that I owe you a drink, to have an exchange of ideas and views, and talk radio!!
It would be difficult to argue against some of the points you have raised in this email, (especially on a Saturday night and after a day of producing, presenting, training, roadshows, outreach, and meetings pushing the Hayes FM brand in West London!!) . In many ways, there is more common ground between you and I than initially meets the eye.
I would never argue against human rights, and the need to offer a platform for those for whom there is not a voice and they should be heard at this sector, of course!! However, I would suggest to you that those voices are also being heard, and very often and usually on the BBC. That is not essentially what I am saying. I have been lucky that I have worked across the BBC, commercial and community sector, so I look at this from a particular point of view, but by no means an expert view.
One aspect of what I am trying to say is that there are some in this sector who are not using the licence for its intended purpose. I have listened to a lot of output and am just wondering under what conditions they got the licence and how it marries up against the application form. Listening to the output, I am wondering where the cohesion, inclusion or integration is. Indeed, some radio stations are not even carrying the travel or the news. I suppose in their defence they could say, as one did say to me, the quality of presentation is not as good as the old days, as most people on radio want to 'DJ' and not present, let alone talk, take the travel, talk about local news etc..aahh!! the ipod generation strikes again!!
So while there can be a broad purpose, it needs to be more clearly defined, before moving forward. That should be addressed before any huge amounts of funding. But I take on board what you said about getting the best deal.
Funding will probably come to this sector, but when the history is written, it will probably have more to do with negotiations at government level with real evidence of this sector's value.
Your view on some of the licences given out to South Asian applications is very true and some practices are unfortunate. Being of Indian origin, it equally saddens me that South Asian broadcasting is so poor, at times racist (but then a lot of commercial radio isn't far off), mostly all the time segregationist, a good example of giving licences out to communities within a community.
Equally, mainstream, non-'asian' media has chosen to define the community in one way, in that most 'asians' are seen as 'religious, mainly muslim' and a bit freaky. To be fair, it is also part-self inflicted. I have nothing in common with this type of definition, it is so far on the opposite side of my value system, it's in a different time zone!!. Equally, at Hayes FM , we have attracted a very sizable South Asian audience who reject that exact concept whatever their religious heritage, much to the annoyance of some parts of the community.
Talking about poor, it is not only 'asian's radio that is poor in delivery, I would argue and evidence that not all sections of this sector are producing great radio, having heard many, there are some excellent radio stations across the country, but not all by any means. This is a separate debate, its subjective but an area that does need to be addressed. I am off the view that you exact change, be it cohesion, inclusion or regeneration through popular formats, exactly what happened with popular music.
Lol, I think you and I essentially liberal (maybe not politically!!) and secular, and we have to defend that. Don't forget, historically, where liberals and secularists worked with traditionalists and religious conservatives, they were usually hanged when the latter came to power. Radio, I would argue was born out of that ideal, and the idea of cohesion, integration and inclusion is the building blocks of that idea, one opium of the free mind. Not everyone in this sector believes in that, and that is one aspect of what I am saying when I say not everyone is using the licence for its intended purpose, hence some of your own observations.
Anyway, how are you, hope you are well, and your health is well, as last time we spoke you were not so good.I have a lot of respect for you, so am humbled that you took the time to email through. Thanks.
Take care
Kindest as always
Sutish
----- Original Message -----
From: LOL GELLOR
To: Office - Hayes FM
Cc: cmA
Sent: Friday, September 04, 2009 4:17 PM
Subject: Re: [cma-l] Appeal to all Station Managers / Project Leaders
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
------------------------------------------------------------------
_______________________________________________
cma-l mailing list - cma-l at commedia.org.uk
Community Media Association - www.commedia.org.uk
_______________________________________________
To manage your mailing list subscription please visit:
http://mailman.commedia.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/cma-l
--------------------------------------------------------------------
_______________________________________________
cma-l mailing list - cma-l at commedia.org.uk
Community Media Association - www.commedia.org.uk
_______________________________________________
To manage your mailing list subscription please visit:
http://mailman.commedia.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/cma-l
-----Inline Attachment Follows-----
_______________________________________________
cma-l mailing list - cma-l at commedia.org.uk
Community Media Association - www.commedia.org.uk
_______________________________________________
To manage your mailing list subscription please visit:
http://mailman.commedia.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/cma-l
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.commedia.org.uk/pipermail/cma-l/attachments/20090905/dc4e7480/attachment.html>
More information about the cma-l
mailing list