[cma-l] Advice, ideas, comments please. Thanks

[Radio Frequency FM]

For the last 4 years, Radio Frequency in Leeds has been synonymous with the
underground music movement in Leeds. Crucial in pioneering new music, it was
instrumental in bringing the now ubiquitous sound of Dubstep up North, & has
broken in many artists who now command international respect. Today, it is
home to over 50 DJs playing cutting edge music from across the board;
whether it’s bass, house, garage, drum and bass or hip-hop, no other
organisation has devoted as much time & energy to the underground cause.

In return for this hard work, Frequency swiftly became one of the most
revered institutions in Leeds, and indeed the North, attracting thousands of
listeners on a daily basis. So – what’s happened? It’s been over 6 months
since Frequency was last heard on the FM dial, and whilst its online
presence is still going, many feel its glory is fading; the truth, however,
is that it is preparing to grow and be bigger than ever.

Turbulent times

Going back over the last 12 months, Frequency has experienced its share of
troubles. It’s well known that two key members were arrested and taken to
court on charges of illegal broadcasting. Despite not going to prison, a
cumulative £12,000 fine was handed down. Frequency has always been
non-profit; all money donated to the station has gone into the running of
it, ensuring rent is paid, transmitters are replaced & the broadcast never
stops.

£12,000 then, is not an easy sum of cash to come up with. Emergency measures
have been taken; the costly FM broadcast has been switched off, leaving the
radio as a solely online broadcast. Frequency is trying to get back on its
feet, but with the FM gone the audience has dwindled, advertisers will pull
out & a number DJs have show little loyalty & left entirely. The last few
months have been tough. Within the circles of Frequency, it would be
justified to look back at this time as a trial of faith.

It is perhaps a testament to the tenacity and dedication of the people
behind the scenes, to the DJs who are still on board and the listeners still
tuning in, that Frequency is making it through. Slowly, we are paying off
the fines –

Two fundraisers in May and June helped, and regular donations from
supporters are all greatly appreciated. A station run out of anything other
than dedicated & unconditional love for music might have floundered & sunk
under the recent pressure.

That said, the crippling effect these fines have had on the station can’t be
ignored – there’s a long uphill struggle to win old and new audiences, to
get people tuning in online and to bring in new talent. Furthermore, what
happens once the fines are paid off? Does it switch the unlicensed FM
broadcast back on? If this happens, there will be more arrests and more
fines, and perhaps a jail term
 In many ways, it is hard to see how
Frequency can come back, at least in the capacity it was before.

Legal licences, Ofcom and Rinse
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A few months ago, London based pirate station   <http://www.rinse.fm> Rinse
FM was awarded a legal licence, amidst much fanfare and rejoicing from
underground music fans around the world. After 15 years as a pirate station,
it is quite an achievement. To many, it would seem the doors are wide open
for new, underground and urban-leaning stations to pop up all over the
country.

Certainly Rinse has all the makings a bonafide music-orientated business –
it has regular CD releases, sell-out events at Fabric and Matter, and boasts
a roster of internationally famous professional DJs. Yet, it is not legal;
its pirate broadcasts continues, in breach of Ofcom regulations: its music &
ticket sales clearly fund the organisation (& in turn, the aforementioned
broadcast). Whilst Ofcom praises Rinse, it hands Frequency crippling fines.

Ofcom has recently announced there will be more community broadcasting
licenses being given out in the Leeds area. This represents Frequency’s best
chance of making good, to put the love and dedication & sheer hard work of
the last 4 years into creating a positive, legal institution. As a community
station, it could offer workshops for youths in DJing, radio production,
broadcasting, sound engineering, even promotion & management. The target
audience for Frequency is 14-30; there is massive scope for a legal station
in the mould of Frequency to have a positive community influence.

There are problems though. Ofcom doesn’t make it cheap to buy a licence; an
annual licence costs tens of thousands of pounds, which can be raised
through advertising, but Frequency will either need to shake its reputation
as a pirate station and the negative repercussions of the last 12 months, or
hire some very good PR personnel.

Furthermore, Frequency needs to be able to manage itself – a legal
organisation is different from a volunteer led pirate station, it will need
to secure a professional team to lead it. Existing personnel will need to
step up, knowing the end rewards are great, or there needs to be external
volunteers brought in who would become employees should it go legal.

The future


The possibility of a legal, urban music station with a youth &
community-orientated approach is a perfect outcome. Existing organisations,
such as the Pat Regan Legacy and Unity Day, have proven highly successful.
The scope for Frequency is even greater than these. With a legal license
behind us, we will be able to run workshops in the city’s schools &
colleges, training young people in different aspects of radio broadcasting.

By engaging communities, playing music that is not heard anywhere else &
presenting it in an approachable manner, we provide a valuable voice &
outlet for sectors of society overlooked & underrepresented by
commercialised media, championing the causes and needs of youth-orientated
inner-city life. We can bring young people onboard, giving them a focus for
their creativity outside of school.

Legal licences come every 5 years, and now we have a few at once. The time
for Frequency to come back is now. Truly, this should be an exciting time.

Radio Frequency needs new volunteers in all departments. If you want to get
involved and can spare a few hours each week – Frequency wants to hear from
you. We want DJs, radio hosts, graphic designers, teachers, sound engineers,
writers, bloggers PR, etc – people who want to learn about the music
industry, or have knowledge already & want to use it for a community cause.

 


If you want to help with Radio Frequency, either through donating towards
the fines, volunteering on the station


or you think you can help with the legal licence bid, please visit:


www.radiofrequencyfm.co.uk or email  info at radiofrequencyfm.co.uk

 - Radio Frequency

 

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