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Hello,

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Blogs

Community radio content, ideas on a postcard please

By Garrett Wyse at May 24, 2010


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 Hello all,

Being in a small town in Ireland, trying to distil what may and may not be useful for community radio listeners and volunteers alike is somewhat problematic.

We are having a public meeting next week and shall at that event post a draft schedule (which I can post on z or send to anyone who may be interested) which wew shall push volunteers to take ownership of and responsibility for.

We have to have a complete schedule in place to lodge with the licence application, so it is quite a serious matter.  There are many criteria to be observed, minimum percentage of talk, local news, Irish music etc. etc.  But frankly it is a little Kafakaesque in that what is permissable is not clear and what is not is also unclear.

However anyone can complain and this complaint must be acted on, with the radio station obliged to answer any complaints in details.  I have been reassured by many in the community radio 'industry' that such complaint answering shall fall onto station management to complete.  At least that sorts out what I shall be doing.  

So,the situation is that we are treading softly to begin and we shall take it from there.

What I would be very interested in are peoples views, opinions, suggestions as to what a community radio actually sounds like, day in day out.

Are there any obvious do's and don't which people may impart at this stage. I am fully aware that any lesson learned before going on air may help prevent wasteful use of time repelling complaints in the future.

Also has anyone any idea of what works best and not for community radio.  I know the Irish are talkers and gossipers, but this alone will get us in trouble, albeit perhaps in line with our goals.

We are about to embark on a very long journey (hopefully) on a very thin line, ye are more than welcome to join. 

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Good Luck in your Sisyphean Endeavour

By Andrews, John at May 25, 2010 20:21 PM

 Hi Garrett

I read all your blogs tonight and wish you well in your extraordinary venture. I have done some work on tunnel radio systems but know nothing about community radio. What frequencies will you operate at? Over what distance will you transmit? 

I'm originally from Aberystwyth in Wales which had a population of about 12,000; similar to your town. I've been racking my brain to try to identify what content would interest such a town. I've come up with the following meagre list so far:

  • Local music and events.
  • Local Sport.
  • Summary of local council discussions, actions, planning applications.
  • Book Readings - Howard Zinn's A Peoples History of the United States would read well!
  • Material to educate people, perhaps simple legal aspects.
  • Guest speakers talking about their interests - transition town; small scale electricity generation; foriegn experience; how to set up a local radio station!
  • Requests for help / assistance from within the local community - skill swap etc.
  • Charitable requests.

Whilst I'm not competent myself in radio technology, I know a few people who are so if you have any technical queries please feel free to bounce them off me; I might be able to help in a small way.

All best wishes

John Andrews

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