[cma-l] [comradio-l] Community radio cited in Lords debate

[Cathy Aitchison]

Very interesting.
Congratulations to both Leith FM and Lord Foulkes, and thanks to CMA for 
highlighting it.

In context, the Lords were trying to tease out what could be done to 
'capture' the 3.5 million ellgible people who are not registered to 
vote, and who include disproportionate numbers of 17-24 year olds, 
people living in rented accommodation and people from black and minority 
ethnic communities.

Lord Foulkes' point occurs as part of the debate on an amendment 
focusing on black and minority ethnic communities, moved by Lord Boateng.
Lord Boateng says:
"It is clear that a disproportionate number of the 3.5 million people 
not caught by the electoral register are drawn from the black and 
minority-ethnic communities.

"We have identified the problem, which is accepted by noble Lords on all 
sides of the House, but what is to be done? Something must be done. The 
Minister accepts that something needs to be done. What I am seeking to 
tease out and to progress in this debate is what that might be. We know 
that this issue, if left simply to the passage of time, will not get any 
better."

Although he mentions people making programmes, Lord Foulkes' championing 
of radio is given in the context of an alternative to printed leaflets 
when engaging people in hard-to-reach groups.

But MPs and Peers need to 'get' community broadcast media as the two way 
street that it already is.

Action/response from the community media sector should include NOT JUST 
making sure that local MPs and Peers know about the local licensed 
stations and media groups/ training organisations in their area 
(although important, obviously)
BUT ALSO
1. leading and publicising local campaigns to increase voter 
registration in the area - and also to clarify why people don't register 
+ to allay their possible fears regarding registering (do it now - the 
Lords debate was partly about the shortness of the time-scale proposed 
by the Bill as to when boundary changes should be made)
2. broadcasting, logging and publicising online the views and concerns 
of voters/potential voters in the area
3. highlighting, explaining and encouraging participation in proposed 
'official' changes - such as local consultations, eg. on library 
closures etc - and not least, on the potential effect of this Bill on 
the boundaries and/or names of some wards and constituencies around the 
country.

Doing that already, you probably say... Great, please share here.
And looking forward to more mentions in Hansard.....

Cathy Aitchison
London Link Radio
 
---------------
CMA-L wrote:

>Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill
>House of Lords debates, 12 January 2011, 8:29 pm
>
>Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour)
>
>I suggest that more work should be done using broadcast media. For
>instance, in Edinburgh there is a wonderful local radio station -
>Leith FM - where a lot of black and ethnic minority people produce the
>programmes. There are programmes produced in different languages. I am
>sure that in other areas-in Bradford or London, where there are lots
>more groups and lots more people in these categories-there are more
>radio stations that could be used. I hope that in his reply the
>Minister will give some indication of whether more will be done using
>broadcast media to get this message over in all the different
>languages that are available. No doubt if my noble friend Lord Maxton
>is motivated to contribute to this debate, he will tell us, as he
>always does, about how new technology can be used to encourage people
>to participate.
>
>Hansard source:
>http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/110112-0002.htm#11011293000009
>
>\\
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