[cma-l] Review of the approach to community radioKey Commitments
Canalside's The Thread
office at thethread.org.uk
Mon Oct 19 11:58:22 BST 2015
Apologies for the three-pennith again, but this stuff is really important.
My policy is this (simple and straight forward) regardless of rules and
regulations, where something '''reasonable''' can be done JUST DO
IT ! I honestly can not get my around how all of this functions ?
Plus of course, it confirms my ''one rule for one and a different rule for
others'' not just in relation to Commercial Radio / Community Radio but
WITHIN our sector as well.
Of course the authorities can take the 'easy-way-out' hence the '''no
!''' that is all a ''no'' is it is a cop-out.
In these instances I do agree with one rule for one and another for another
etc perhaps in this case best if we use the terminology ''one
guideline for one'' it allows room for manoeuvre .. And as I say, where
it can be done JUST DO IT / GET ON WITH IT
Surely, the easy option for everyone is the best one to go for ... this is
the easy option as I see it. Why is everything made so long-winded and
awkward ? there have been a lot of questions asked over the last 14 years
. perhaps this is the best one of the lot. If tweaking things doesn't cause
any problems for anyone else, then where's the issue ??? I am completely at
a loss on this one, and have been for the last 12 years.
Can anyone / someone please tell me why ? why the difficult option ?
do our experts know ?
Wrighty
_____
From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk
[mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of Ian Hickling
Sent: 17 October 2015 14:56
To: The Community Media Association Discussion List
Subject: [cma-l] Review of the approach to community radioKey Commitments
Alan
I can only reiterate our experience.
We had a similar situation to yours with a CR Licensee who was allocated 25
+ 25 - with an antenna restriction - to cover the two towns in his
application whose centres are 7km apart - overall area width being 16km.
We made the point very enthusiastically to Ofcom with predictions that 100 +
100 would cover it efficiently - and were allocated 50 + 50 after 4 weeks of
discussion - with the same frequency - and no restriction.
I should stress that this was done before installation commenced - and with
a sophisticated antenna system intuitively installed at an optimal site (see
attached) the Client has made no complaint.
Another recent example is where a Licensee was concerned that a commercial
broadcaster on each first adjacent channel was audible in his licensed area
and after representation by a fellow engineer, Ofcom increased the allocated
ERP from 25 + 25 to 50 + 50 without his having to formally request it.
So - it can be done.
We too have had the response that it isn't Ofcom's policy to do something we
requested - again on behalf of a broadcaster. I wrote to a senior management
contact - with an open copy to a certain figurehead in the DCMS - and
suggested politely that if Ofcom is to be seen to be fulfilling its stated
obligations then it should review its policy.
No reply as yet.
But I submit that the "No appeal" response is unacceptable - and
essentially inconsistent with the concept of a democratic society.
Don't tolerate it!
Ian Hickling
Partner
<http://www.transplanuk.com/>
Office: 01635 578435 (7am-11pm UK time)
Carphone: 07530 980115 (only responds when driving)
6 Horn Street, Compton, NEWBURY, RG20 6QS
_____
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2015 22:58:33 +0100
From: alan.coote at 5digital.co.uk
To: cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
Subject: Re: [cma-l] Review of the approach to community radioKey
Commitments
Ian,
All excellent but my experience is that Ofcom are far from what you
describe.
We asked for an increase of ERP from 25W to 100W. There was a professionally
written business case, we had support from 3 local MPs, a comprehensive
Arqiva report and a listener's survey. This was not for an extension of the
coverage but so our planned coverage could be achieved. It took the best
part of 1 year for Ofcom to ultimately say no - no appeal just that it was
'not policy' to permit an increase.
To add insult to injury the local commercial station had earlier been
permitted an increase from 100W to 1,000W to meet their business plans.
As one MP said at the time "Ofcom have some of the most expensive employees
of any department. but they have no idea who they work for".
Kind Regards
Alan
Alan Coote
<http://www.letstalkbusinessonline.com/> Hear Alan Every Week on Let's Talk
Business The UK's Premier Radio Programme For Current and Future
Entrepreneurs - Now Broadcast To Over 7 Million People
Email - <mailto:alan.coote at 5digital.co.uk> alan.coote at 5digital.co.uk
Phone - 0800 949 6655
Mobile - 07801 518858
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From: <cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk> on behalf of
"transplanfm at hotmail.com"
Reply-To: "cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk"
Date: Friday, 16 October 2015 16:05
To: "cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk"
Subject: [cma-l] Review of the approach to community radioKey Commitments
Yeah - you say that about the 25W transmitter Nick - but as I've pointed out
just once or twice before - 37 out of the current 232 CR stations on air
have convinced Ofcom that they need more than that - and have got it.
100W is not uncommon - one has 850W!
The time to do it is when you get your frequency and power allocation -
after that it gets much harder - but it's still been done.
You have to present an argument which says that without the right power
allocation you cannot run a viable business.
Ian Hickling
Partner
<http://www.transplanuk.com/>
Office: 01635 578435 (7am-11pm UK time)
Carphone: 07530 980115 (only responds when driving)
6 Horn Street, Compton, NEWBURY, RG20 6QS
_____
From: office at thethread.org.uk
To: cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2015 12:47:47 +0100
Subject: Re: [cma-l] Review of the approach to community radioKey
Commitments
Richard et al
I have submitted the 'rant' as some in our fraternity will of course call it
(I think not) all I am is merely a person who is sick to death of going
around in a circle for 9 long years arguing and debating the same old
debacle on a ground hog day basis. Commercial Radio influencing decisions
and poking their conks into a project that has NOTHING at all to do with
them. I don't interfere with them but they have influence on what we do.
They seem to be able to have power boosts, change programming and key
commitments at the drop of a hat and yet we're trying to work in a straight
jacket and jump through hoops with only a quarter of the resources.
I'll tell you the biggest restriction we all/each have A 25 WATT
TRANSMITTER ! we don't need anymore restrictions, that alone is
enough. We're trying to provide a service to people and for people who can't
hear us ??? and then they put restrictions on us who thought
that one up ? a madman !??
I try when possible to ad a bit of humour into the situation because if we
didn't laugh we'd go bonkers. Some would argue I already have LOL
For the record, the submission was made clearly saying that I don't care who
reads it. I have long gone past all of that /confidentiality nonsense'
what you see is what you get, like it or lump it. Too much pussy-footying
around, being walked all over, we need to stand up and be counted with a bit
more thrust and determination. Remember that most of the comments coming
back having a pop at me are from the ''I'm alright Jack brigade''
Under the confidentiality section I have written ''announce it to the
World'' my name is on it, so we don't have Mr Anon or Mrs pseudonym
facebook or Mr AKA Twitter ...stand up and be counted.
I notice others on the message board who also place posts that are quite
forthright, I know quite a few of these folk, they are fine .. They're just
fed up with the going round in circles as well. Then of course there's the
silent majority. I know this because they contact me and tell me .. They
don't want the aggro so don't get roped in . they still support the
sentiment. So let us not underestimate the 'will' to overcome.
I will make my statement one more time. Yes, we here at Canalside did
understand the rules and implications at the outset (we didn't agree with
them, but hey, such is life) what we DID NOT EXPECT THOUGH, is to be
arguing about the same things 12 years down the line and listening to hot
air coming from Ministers saying how much they support Community Radio
.....do something about it then.
I'll try to copy and paste ...(copy and rant) :-)
Restrictions = Get Shot of the Lot
Regulate the spend and not the earn .. this way there would be technically a
limit (it would remain not-for-profit) money earned would have to be
re-invested into the project and there is an element of protection for
Commercial Radio
Key Commitments ------- most of these were written (me included) with all
good intentions .. but in reality some not achievable. They contained items
that ticked boxes, wouldn't offend commercial radio and looked fluffy and
nice ... I was cringing whilst writing them as I would imagine many others
were. We were being pushed down a road that we didn't want to go down by the
way the rules have been laid out.
The final straw for me is seeing people being hauled over the coals for
completely trivial matters and words like 'investigation' 'in breach' etc
being attached to that Station. Completely unacceptable.
Setting the Bar high and '''at least avin a go''' should be commended, not
ridiculed if you fall slightly short. This is obviously one of the reasons
why this 'consultation' has come about .however, like with everything else
it ought to have been done 3 years ago when folk like me and others saw the
warning lights flashing. It would possibly have saved me in total about a
month of my life off the e-mail and phone.
I stick by the word I first mentioned 8 years ago 'debacle' I think
this was the word that upset one or two as I was on the receiving end of a
lecture. It of course went straight over my head.
Of course life is about opinions, some will agree, some will disagree ..but
one thing is for sure, if you do nothing about it, don't get involved, don't
roll your sleeves up, you will forever be trodden on.
Time to cut-loose and let Community Radio really flourish.
By the way, read the comments from 3 years ago re:-TV ...... correct
again. It was never going to work and the money ought to have been put into
Community Radio. We'd have a descent Pot, Commercial Radio would be
protected (they'd like that) and we'd only need to rummage through a few
adverts and everyone's a happy bunny.
I can't remember the Minister at the time (Jeremy Hunt possibly?) but my
exact words to him were ''don't you think you ought to be sorting out
Community Radio first, before mIthering with Community TV?'
I've virtually covered the entry, but I send it over
Love you all xxx keep on truckin'
Sir Hamster Wheel-Wright [University of Pott Shrigley]
By the way .. I think Ofcom have read it as there has been correspondence
this morning .and I reckon it's food for thought. My command of English
isn't good & sadly I didn't get A Level or O Level English as you can see
... The message is clear though and that's what matters.
_____
From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk
[mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of Richard Hilton
Sent: 16 October 2015 09:26
To: The Community Media Association Discussion List
Subject: Re: [cma-l] Review of the approach to community radioKey
Commitments
Glad you have done this. Is it possible to share your submission as a guide
and encouragement to others to get involved in this vitally important
consultation?
Richard
From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk
[mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of Canalside's The
Thread
Sent: 15 October 2015 19:35
To: 'The Community Media Association Discussion List'
Subject: Re: [cma-l] Review of the approach to community radio Key
Commitments
Done and Dusted !
Seek under the headline/title ---- ''not pussy-footying around'' [part
1 ''hot under the collar''] [sub clause 4 ''haven't we been here 20 times
before?''] [sub section 2b ''seeing is believing''] [clause 5 ''it's
about time'']
Sir Nicholas Henry Hamster Wheel-Wright [Professor of Community Radio
Economics] [University of Pott Shrigley]
_____
From:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk
[mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of CMA-L
Sent: 15 October 2015 17:35
To: cma-l at commedia.org.uk
Subject: [cma-l] Review of the approach to community radio Key Commitments
Community radio services broadcasting on FM or AM provide social gain and
other community benefits on a not-for-profit basis.
Each station is required to provide the service described in its licence,
which is based on the proposals it made during the application process for
the licence.
These service descriptions recorded in community radio licences are called
'Key Commitments'.
This Ofcom consultation seeks views on a proposal to streamline and simplify
the Key Commitments.
This will free up community radio stations, enabling them to focus on
serving their target communities, adapt better to the changing needs of
those communities, and deliver social gain.
Ofcom invites written comments on the questions raised in this consultation,
to be submitted by 5pm on 21 October 2015. Ofcom strongly prefers to receive
responses in electronic format and their web form will allow you to indicate
your data protection preferences and send your views to the team responsible
for this consultation.
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/key-commitments/
\\
Community Media Association
--
http://www.commedia.org.uk/
http://twitter.com/community_media
https://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation
Canstream Internet Radio & Video
http://www.canstream.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/canstream
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