[cma-l] DCMS Written answers and statements, 19 October 2010 - Local Broadcasting: Radio

Sat Oct 23 13:17:19 BST 2010

I agree with Nick and Trevor, that our sector is not assertive enough.
I remember the thread earlier this year when we were talking about asking
for 1%. Even then there were those saying we were asking too much, and that
we would never get it... for over 200 licensed radio stations, and only
asking 1%!

The impression I get is that community media representatives are worried
about damaging their relationships with the BBC by asking too much. But from
what I can see, *there is no relationship* to damage! They are laughing at
us behind our backs for sure!

eg: "I know, let's get everyone to send their FM radio's to Africa for
recycling (read: landfill), and then later we can have another meeting with
the CMA about how we can improve our working relationship"..... what a joke!

A couple of years ago, after protracted negotiations with the BBC, the
community sector got .... wait for it.... a legal training DVD. Whoopidoo!
(OK, I know I didn't get the whole story on this one, but .... - at least
that's all I've seen come out of it)

Other members speak up in support of the 50% rule, as if we need this nanny
imposition to help us run our budgets!

As for internet radio., ok maybe I'm biased here, but last week people were
writing in saying their listeners can't hear them because of neighbouring
commercial stations drowning them out, or because of local topography.
Hello!!! Give out some internet radios as prizes...!
The Beeb and the commercial stations *are really spooked* by the
internet....10 years ago they had a monopoly over the airwaves, and now the
carpet is being pulled from under their feet. Advertising is moving to the
internet and people are watching YouTube for entertainment.
So now they are trying to knock up some new radio player which they are
hoping to become the default viewing/listening device, in attempt to claw
back their listening stats. And of course, they get to decide who can and
can't join the club.
I really hope it fails, I really do. The internet is the most democratic
thing that has happened in a very long time, it has shaken the music
industry, the government, and the media industry and empowered more people
than anything else via delivering information. It has enabled thousands of
small businesses to start up and reduced distribution and transaction
costs.
I think their player is doomed to fail and I hope it will, because it is
anti-democratic, and aims to stifle and exclude minority voices, or anyone
they decide they don't like. I think CMA members should stay away from the
dark side. We don't need them anyway.

'nuff said...(I'm becoming outspoken recently...),  just need to conclude,
with suggestion that we are a lot of people putting a lot of very hard work
in, and are the most exciting part of radio happening in the UK and anywhere
else for that matter. We really need to bear that in mind and stand up proud
when we are negotiating for money or support for the sector.

Peter
(sorry about the long rant....... internet provides this cheap therapy too!)

On Fri, Oct 22, 2010 at 5:40 PM, Steve Suttie <stevensuttie at aol.com> wrote:

> Hi Nick,
>
> Nice to see you are maintaining your trademark passion and enthusiasm for
> the continued development of the sector.
>
> We all know that the fund is inadequate, and that achieving sustainability
> whilst maintaining social gain is a massive difficulty. Add to the mix poor
> transmission power and lack of access to concrete listening figures to
> publish... It doesnt take a rocket scientist to see how hard it is to make
> community radio stations work. Indeed the only reason the sector is
> surviving at all is due to the passion that you and everybody else applies
> to your work!
>
> In theory the £500,000 spread out amongst the licensed stations would work
> and could be a lifeline for many stations such as yours... But lets not
> forget that £500,000 was agreed by DCMS before the first round of licensing
> in 2004/05. It should have increased as the shocking number of stations came
> on air. But this is when the enthusiasm for CR was lost by the politicians I
> believe.
>
> After speaking to Soo Williams at OFCOM a few weeks ago, I learnt that
> another 200 stations are awaiting a third round of licensing...
>
> So my point is simple. This £500,000 is not going to provide a very useful
> spread across 450 stations. Thats if a third round is announced of course.
> OFCOM can't commit to a third round until they know the severity of the cuts
> on their own organisation.
>
> So its a bit more complicated than the simplistic approach that you are
> suggesting. Shame! Its about time the CR sector was treated with a bit of
> respect and dignity from the powers that be... After all, we've all been
> working on austerity measures since long before it became the fashion!
>
> With best regards
> Steve
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On 22 Oct 2010, at 16:02, "Office - ccr-fm" <office at ccr-fm.co.uk> wrote:
>
>  Trev and all
>
>
>
> I ain’t arguing with anyone, I am simply standing by what I believe in. I
> was the one 18 months ago who said we are wasting our time pussyfooting
> around MP’s ……. Furthermore, there is no argument whatsoever against
> everyone receiving the same amount.
>
>
>
> It ain’t difficult and it’s fair.
>
>
>
> No one has posted anything yet …………………….. ?????       everyone must agree
> with me !              if that’s the case, let’s get on with it.
>
>
>
> Whack it out evenly and cancel the next round of applications.
>
>
>
> Regards
>
>
>
> Nick
>
>
>  ------------------------------
>
> *From:* trevor at felixstoweradio.co.uk [mailto:trevor at felixstoweradio.co.uk]
>
> *Sent:* 21 October 2010 22:14
> *To:* Office - ccr-fm; 'CMA-L'
> *Subject:* Re: [cma-l] DCMS Written answers and statements, 19 October
> 2010 - Local Broadcasting: Radio
>
>
>
> Nick
>
>
>
> I cannot argue with your proposition. It's easy to implement and fair.
>
>
>
> Rural stations do not get any substantive support, that I really do know.
>
>
>
> £500K is peanuts - but we must ask ourselves why we are so disregarded.
> Every presentation about UK broadcasting fails to recognise community media.
> Given that we have 600 members, 235 with FM licences, all involved with
> broadcasting then we are doing something wrong. We have power, we have
> influence, we also have an attitude of subservience, like poor peasants
> pulling at our forelocks, cap in hand, grateful for the scraps thrown at us
> by our masters.
>
>
>
> Someone amongst us must be capable of producing a 10 minute audio/video
> that we can all broadcast, and keep broadcasting (with variations) until all
> our listeners understand how we are treated.
>
>
>
> We don't have to argue amongst ourselves - we need to motivate our audience
> to apply pressure upon the government. We do that by broadcasting. Sending
> pleading emails or letters to MPs do nothing.
>
>
>
> Please agree with me. I'd do it myself but I'm trying to raise funds to
> keep our little station going, and as we are all volunteers life ain't easy.
>
>
>
> Whatever, let's keep smiling and making sure we give our audiences what
> they want. We need thm all to remain on our side.
>
>
>
> Trevor Lockwood
>
> Felixstowe Radio
>
>
>
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-- 
野火烧不尽，春风吹又生
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