[cma-l] Advice and comment

Tue Oct 26 16:38:41 BST 2010

We would like to point out that there are several community radio stations in Leeds. Radio Asian Fever and TempoFM have full-time FM licences, and Radio JCom has a full-time AM licence. 

We - South Leeds Community Radio, founded in 2006 - have had 3 three-four week RSLS and currently broadcast 24/7 over the internet with changing speech and music programmes and an ever-increasing listenership. We pay for the licences we need to do this. We also run training in schools and colleges as well as after-school and holiday clubs for children and young people, including DJing and the other things Frequency mention,  as well as award-winning courses in radio production & radio drama for adults with learning disabilities and with physical disabilities, radio reporting, blogging and more. A Women's Radio Group starts shortly. We have a popular Roadshow going out and about to local festivals and events, and 90  very diverse volunteers on our books. As our name indicates, our target listenership is people who live and/or work in South Leeds, irrespective of age and background. We aim to provide something for everyone, and welcome people who see a gap and offer something different.

Also in Leeds, East Leeds FM has a long proud history of running RSLs. Lifeforce and I Love West Leeds have also run RSLs and there are other internet community radio stations. In addition there are a number that run short-term RSLs.

South Leeds Community Radio would very much like to have a full-time licence to broadcast on-air, and to this end, 2 years ago gained the support of the then head of Yorkshire Forward, Tom Riordan, and our MP, Hilary Benn, who wrote to Sir Michael Lyons requesting a frequency be made available. We also wrote to the then Minister i/c broadcasting, Andy Burnham, and raised the issue with the regional director of the BBC. All roads led back to Ofcom who said that there were no frequencies available at that time. However, earlier this year those who would like to broadcast on FM were invited to submit an Expression of Interest to Ofcom. We were glad that for the first time in ages Leeds was not included in the list of towns where there were unlikely to be frequencies, so we submitted our EOI and await further developments.  Our lobbying may or may not have contributed to the possibility of Leeds gaining an extra frequency. 

Funds have seldom been tighter and this is a difficult time for all of us. 

Best wishes 

Al 

Al Garthwaite

Director

South Leeds Community Radio

Hillside

Beeston Road

Leeds LS11 8ND

+44 (0) 113 387 6468 / 07957 152107

al at southleedscommunityradio.org.uk

www.southleedscommunityradio.org.uk

South Leeds Community Radio is a company limited by guarantee with charitable aims, no: 06884452

Listen to our broadcast streaming over the internet on www.southleedscommunityradio.org.uk

From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk [mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of Tony Bailey
Sent: 26 October 2010 12:20
To: Office - ccr-fm
Cc: 'CMA-L'
Subject: Re: [cma-l] Advice and comment

I seems to me that this is a case of congestion deja vu, in other words
another city after London, where there has been a complete failure to
address issues of cronic frequency shortage (apart from adding dab
multiplexes) and a myoptic approach to community radio. The only remedy
on the table seems to be pick out the odd pirate and heavily fine the
rest. Eventually, renting a dab slot will look a less costly option.

Tony Bailey

Office - ccr-fm wrote:
> Ian and all
>
> 
>
> There are obviously a number of issues here. The main one being the fact
> that people have to resort to being pirates in the first place. I don't
> think given the choice anyone actually wants to break the law ........... I most
> certainly don't ............... but as in the days of Radio Caroline / England /
> London etc rules are in place that have no bearing on reality.
>
> 
>
> In fact, if we shifted all the commercial and bbc clowns onto the digital
> then there would be no need for any pirates and everyone would be happy. An
> abundance of frequencies.
>
> 
>
> Fining and Jailing people serves no purpose in the long run, especially on
> issues like this ................. Nelson Mandela was fined and jailed ..... he became
> an icon, a legend, a well respected man.
>
> You cannot kill an idea, an ethos, a belief etc simply by being heavy
> handed.
>
> 
>
> We are complaining at the moment about certain rules and regulations ............
> even when you stop a layman in the street (who doesn't understand it)    and
> tell them what is going on ..... 100% of people say ............... ''are you kidding or
> what''                                              
>
> 
>
> To be honest, I don't really know what I'm trying to say ..... except, if you
> back people into a corner, eventually they're gonna' come at you with their
> sleeves rolled up, technically this is where the fraturnity is at, at
> present and where some pirates found themselves .....??!
>
> 
>
> (Banging heads against brick walls springs to mind) (eventually one gets fed
> up and thinks, oh !  sod it !)
>
> 
>
> Regards
>
> 
>
> Nick
>
> 
>
>   _____ 
>
> From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk
> [mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of Ian Hickling
> Sent: 25 October 2010 22:05
> To: info at radiofrequencyfm.co.uk; cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
> Subject: [cma-l] Advice and comment
>
> 
>
> 
> You don't offer a name, which makes it difficult to claim any kind of
> credibility.
> There are quite a few misconceptions which need correcting.
> Licences don't come every 5 years.
> Ofcom invites applications from time to time and licences that are awarded
> run for 5 years.
> Licences aren't legal or otherwise.
> Either you have a licence or you don't.
> If you don't, regardless of your content, audience or good intentions,
> you're breaking the law and you must expect prosecution and heavy fines.
> Despite being pressed for an answer, Ofcom won't explain how Rinse obtained
> a licence.
> The only feasible route would appear to be for persons who had not been
> associated with illegal broadcasting for 5 years or more to submit a licence
> application in the name of the pirate and offer a similar genre of music and
> target audience.
> Ofcom doesn't make licences expensive - and you don't and can't buy one.
> The licence fee is £600 per annum.
> Compliance with other requirements such as music royalties which you won't
> have paid previously are what can cost a considerable amount.
> Ofcom isn't praising Rinse for what it has been in the past.
> It has decided that the Applicant had good enough reasons for being awarded
> a licence.
> Ofcom isn't persecuting Frequency by handing out crippling fines.
> It's obeying instruction from Government and doing its duty as a Regulator.
> The fines imposed are only to be expected by Frequency's actions and you
> surely know that.
> If you wish to become legitimate you should follow the actions of Rinse and
> you could well be successful.
> 
> 
>
>   _____ 
>
> From: info at radiofrequencyfm.co.uk
> To: cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
> Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:44:26 +0100
> Subject: [cma-l] Advice, ideas, comments please. Thanks
>
> 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
> <http://radiofrequencyfm.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/rinse.jp
> g>
> http://radiofrequencyfm.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/rinse-150
> x150.jpg
>
> 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
>
> 
>
>
> _______________________________________________ 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
>
>
>

--
Raven Sound PO Box 1062 Bromley BR1 9QA UK
Tel: (020) 8466 8060  Int: + 44 20 84 66 80 60
Skype: ravensound

Raven Sound is a voluntary sector community media project
www.ravensoundradio.co.uk
_______________________________________________

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

________________________________

No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 10.0.1136 / Virus Database: 424/3220 - Release Date: 10/26/10

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.commedia.org.uk/pipermail/cma-l/attachments/20101026/5215d156/attachment.html>