[cma-l] Election Guidelines

Thu Apr 20 17:25:27 BST 2017

I'm with Martin, but I take the point that it can be hard work and opens you up to all sorts of
hassle. I suspect there is less interest in this election than the last General.

If any of you are considering hosting a hustings, you might be interested in the following...

Last General Election we co-hosted a broadcast hustings with BBC Kent from a local theatre.... we seem to have done it in the most difficult way possible (duh) but got a load of respect for it and filled out the theatre with what was considered the best local hustings. It allowed us to concentrate on specific local issues.

We chose not to invite all 9 candidates, which was completely justifiable considering what we were doing broadcast-wise, and the political makeup of our constituency (the Electoral Commission were quite helpful). We did however invite ALL parties to do interviews broadcast at other times.

Also we had to balance the audience for the BBC guidelines (and Ofcom for us). That was a pain - we had a lot more interest from some party supporters than others, but we did it and filled the theatre.  I've never produced a broadcast hustings and it was good to learn from the BBC guys.

We had a protest outside from one of the socialist parties who we didn't invite (placards and everything) and I was concerned that they'd rush the hall and chain themselves to the furniture. Fun fun fun. I got quite a slagging-off for this, but hey-ho. They didn't do anything beyond placard-waving though - probably because they were actually a decent bunch of people and I'd worked hard to build a good relationship with them.

I would recommend other stations consider it, but if you plan to broadcast it do consider how to manage the ticketing/audience balance issues and have a host who can handle a Dimbleby-style debate well. Online-only broadcasting is an option to simplify things.

This time I will do something similar, probably not with the BBC, and I want to involve young people a lot more.

Dave
--
Dave Sharp
Station Manager
105.9 Academy FM Folkestone
Mobile: 07811 407635
Folkestone office: 01303 721059 (Ext.4)
Internal Folkestone Academy: x2499
dave.sharp at academyfmfolkestone.com<mailto:dave.sharp at academyfmfolkestone.com>

________________________________
From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk <cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk> on behalf of Martin Steers <martin at martinsteers.co.uk>
Sent: 20 April 2017 16:42
To: Canalside's The Thread; The Community Media Association Discussion List
Subject: Re: [cma-l] Election Guidelines

Personally I think local democracy, elections etc are where community radio and community media can really shine!

Dont be scared to get involved, that advice booklet is a great start.

Most of the BBC are too regional to cover the areas and issues that CM can really get involved with and cover well, in fact the Gold Award for Live Event or OB last years Community Radio Awards was WCR with their General Election Debate. http://communityradioawards.org.uk/2016-gold-entries/

Also as a side note, its also the opportunity for stations (off air) and committee members, volunteers to ask all candidates what they are going to do to support community media, support and increase the radio fund etc blah blah

The ever hopeful and optimistic

Martin

On 20 April 2017 at 16:19, Canalside's Thread events guide for NE Cheshire <office at thethread.org.uk<mailto:office at thethread.org.uk>> wrote:
Nigel n’ all

To be honest guys I’m not sure whether we’ll be bothering this time round. Last time we gave each candidate 5 minutes to showcase their Policies and what they will do if elected. We feel that doing it this way you have less chance of someone pointing the finger at you and claiming that there is bias or favouritism towards a particular candidate or party.

We had a complaint 5 years ago after one of our guys and myself had given all candidates a good grilling. They claimed that we had been biased. When we listened back to the interviews it was a completely ridiculous accusation ….. in fact, if anything they got off lightly compared to the others. I suppose it is how people see it --- we see and hear things differently ……….. basically, you can’t win. I think it is Broadcast suicide as well if you let a rookie loose.

Horses for courses I suppose

We had another situation where one guy wouldn’t come in, but then complained because we had the others on. We pointed out that we had contacted the candidate on a number of occasions but he wasn’t available      ie:- the empty seat malarkey

We’re surrounded by two big BBC Local Stations anyway and our area is quite high on the Radio 4 Today list and 5 Live’ listenership… so best doing other things.

In fairness, the exercise is pointless as the coverage area of our Station, if a Chimpanzee put up wearing a Blue scarf it would get voted in. Macclesfield has been Tory since before the First World War.

Onwards and Upwards

Nick H Dumpty Malcolm Peter Brian Telescope Adrian Umbrella Stand Jasper Wednesday (pops mouth twice) Stoatgobbler John Raw Vegetable (whinnying) Arthur Norman Michael (blows squeaker) Featherstone Smith (whistle) Northcott Edwards Harris (fires pistol, then 'whoop') Mason (chuff-chuff-chuff-chuff) Frampton Jones Fruitbat Gilbert (sings) 'We'll keep a welcome in the<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mai_Jones>' (three shots) Williams If I Could Walk That Way<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walk_this_way_(film_line)> Jenkin (squeaker) Tiger-drawers Pratt Thompson (sings) 'Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raindrops_Keep_Falling_On_My_Head>' Darcy Carter (horn) Pussycat (sings) 'Don't Sleep In The Subway<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Sleep_In_The_Subway>' Barton Mainwaring (hoot, 'whoop') Smith       ??

From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk<mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk> [mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk<mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk>] On Behalf Of Eden FM Radio
Sent: 20 April 2017 14:53
To: The Community Media Association Discussion List <cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk<mailto:cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>>
Subject: [cma-l] Election Guidelines

Paul Chantler, the well respected radio consultant, has kindly provided some guidelance notes on general election coverage, aimed pretty much at the community media market.

For our station, we are maining this a mandatory read and acknowledge as we head towards the GE purdah date.

http://www.devaweb.com/election/  is the place to find it.

Enjoy :)

-Nigel Peacock-

Eden FM Radio Ltd
Office : 01786 899 101
Studio: 01768 899 107
Web: www.edenfm.co.uk<http://www.edenfm.co.uk>
Twitter: @EdenFmRadio
Facebook : @edenfmonline

Mostyn Hall, Friargate, Penrith CA11 7XP

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