MARCH/APRIL 2013

News Update

Since the last edition we have celebrated the 30th anniversary of Near Media Co op, with a special th one-day conference, which was held on 9 March. There’s more about that event in this edition of the newsletter. We have also completed a two year Intercultural Project with Pobal and wish our Co- Ordinator Grace Wilentz well in the future. Last week we completed our spring radio volunteer training course, Near TV productions has been busy, and you can see their work on near.ie while we are in the middle of a number of sound and vision funded projects. Not to mention the ongoing maintenance of all our technical equipment and our websites. Yes, as ever, it’s been hectic across Near Media Co op. And it all runs 24 hours every Dave Hooper & Edd Kealy commentating from Morton Stadium in Santry for Nearfm Sport day, due to the commitment of hundreds of volunteers and dedicated staff. It’s not always easy, there are always challenges, but at the heart Staff Contact List of our project is the co operative model, and that Based at the Northside Civic Centre ( 8671190) quite simply is the ongoing success of Near Media Co op. Radio Coordinator - [email protected]

Thanks to all the staff and volunteers who Technical & Studio Issues - [email protected] contributed to this edition of the newsletter. Don’t forget you can contact me ([email protected]) if you Technology & Website - [email protected] want to contribute to any edition. Administration - [email protected] Dave O Connor Editor/Secretary Near Media Co Op Overall Project Coordinator - [email protected]

Near Media Committee of Management On-air promos & Schedules – [email protected]

Vincent Teeling (Chair) Based at the Development Centre (8485211) Heidi Bedell (Vice Chair) Dave O’Connor (Secretary) Promotions – [email protected] Peter Cunningham (Treasurer) Declan Cahill IT Admin/Training – [email protected] Deborah Gaffney Nell Fitzpatrick Productions and Specialist Training - [email protected] Bronwen Maher Stephen Blayds Outreach, Introductory Training & OBs - Shannette Budhai [email protected] Sue O’Neill TV Coordinator - [email protected]

MARCH/APRIL 2013

Attack of the cybers

Staff and volunteers should aware that some of our @near.ie email accounts were hacked into last month. Someone managed to send a number of nasty, vindictive and frankly, childish emails to TDs and a journalist pretending that that they came from legitimate Near.ie accounts. This was obviously the work of a troubled person with issues. However, we were able to identify the IP address from where the emails were sent and we are working with Eircom to identify the computer that they came from. We've also engaged the services of a solicitor to secure a court order to find out the person's identity. It's a pity that we have to deal with vexatious people like this, but we take all such matters very seriously. However if Doug Rogers has been bringing great jazz music to our community for almost 30 years. you use a ‘@near.ie’ or an ‘@nearfm.ie’ email address please check with Gavin and get all your passwords changed. It is also prudent to change passwords occasionally. If you use social media to promote your involvement with Near Media Co -op, then you need to abide by the Social Media Policy. It's in Production – Sound and Vision the Operations and Procedures Manual on the Sound & Vision projects currently in production are website. Be familiar with it and remember - all Story?, Lovers of Life, The Frank Harte Festival, The views stated by you on social media are your Jomac Show, Reading Together, To the ends of the own. And you need to state this. earth, Babel Atha Cliath, The Harkangels, Northside Football, Drama on the Northside, Irelands Oceans, Festivals from the Northside We wish all the respective production teams the best of luck with their projects. Bua arís do Nearfm Nearfm wins Glór na nGael Irish language Near FM are awaiting results from the projects submitted award, again. This is the third time that Nearfm to S&V Round 17; results are expected back in early May. have won this award, and the second time in the Ideas for round 18 are now being welcomed, contact last 4 years, making us the most successful [email protected] or [email protected] community radio in the promotion of Irish. A huge thanks goes to Aoife Ni Canna, Antaine Mac Mathúna and Mairéad Holt and Sarah Near FM have, for the fourth year running, been selected McLoughlin and thanks also to the many other to produce programming as part of the Communicating Irish speakers who contribute to the programme. Europe Initiative, the Near FM OB team will be in EU The award was presented at a national award House, Dawson Street on Thursday May 9th from 11-1pm ceremony in Clontarf Castle last Saturday. If you broadcasting live programming in celebration of Europe know anyone, even with a cupla focal, who’d like Day. In addition on May 23rd there will be a special hour to get involved with the programming please let long in-studio debate discussing EU citizenship and us know. Ar Muin na Muice goes out every day looking at European year of the Citizen and what this at 5.30pm. means to Irish and non Irish. This series is funded by Communicating Europe a Department of the Taoiseach initiative.

MARCH/APRIL 2013

Studio Output Levels The ideal meter level on the studio mixer is 6.

Next time you are in the studio have a look at the levels when you talk and playback music and then look at the levels when the promo’s start...this will give you some idea of the output. Use your headphones to monitor the levels. Otherwise you risk being very loud, or indeed very quiet, and listeners will tune out.

All levels have been preset to the 12 o’clock position on the trims (volume knobs)...and if really need to adjust anything it should be adjusted from here (but you shouldn’t need to adjust any levels!!)

Under no circumstances should any presenter adjust output levels from any of the studio computers. If you notice a problem tell Sally or Gay. Levels are set for a Computers are funny things. They don’t like reason, and incorrect adjustments can lead to to be messed with, they don’t like software transmitter over modulation, which can be costly. installed without permission, they don’t like

Studio Rules the threat of a virus.

The Red Light on means don’t enter!! Studio duty Near Media Co Op has invested heavily in personnel may need to enter in certain circumstances. its IT infrastructure, and is the envy of many other community media groups. There is a Headphones – Use them. ! You can’t monitor your voice and other output levels without them. Maybe, dedicated IT Unit which maintains all our you’re not being heard? You’ll never know, without computer network. Please don’t go messing headphones. or fiddling with settings, don’t install software – just leave them as they are, and Guest Microphones – Monitor their levels. Are you if you notice a problem, talk to Gay or using the right fader? Remember to use prefade listen beforehand. Gavin.

Drinks – Liquids are a no no anywhere near radio equipment.

Papers – Bring them in for your programme. Take them away afterwards!! Messy studios lead to messy programme. RULE OF THUMB. LEVELS FROM BOTH THE LEFT AND Start on time – Finish on Time. Leave room for promos. Don’t leave the next presenter waiting!! RIGHT CHANNELS SHOULD BE PEAKING AROUND 6

WWW.TWITTER.COM/NEARFM

MARCH/APRIL 2013

 Nearfm doesn’t have Ad breaks, so don’t say - “ and now the Ads”. We have promo breaks and some local businesses donate money in return for a regular scripted on-air mention. Just refer to the ‘break’ or ‘station announcements’, or even ‘promo break’.

And don’t forget that we are now announcing the station as Nearfm. And the frequency? 90.3!!

Don’t forget that you can ‘Listen Again’ at nearpodcast.org

Nearchoice Pilot Project

Every Saturday and Sunday night for the next three months, Nearfm will be piloting

Nearchoice. Broadcasting from 11.30pm to

8.00am Nearchoice will showcase all our sound

and vision programmes. It's a second chance,

another choice, it’s Nearchoice. Edd Kealy and the sports team are currently

broadcasting the 30 part radio series This Let’s Celebrate Sporting Life. Every Saturday @ 3.30pm Ignacio Irigoien, a busy chap, has also produced you can catch a superb 15 minute a 5 part series of programmes called Let’s documentary of a minority sport which is Celebrate which will broadcast on Near FM played on Northside . To listen back th starting Wednesday May 8 @ 3.30pm and for to the sports featured so far please visit the following 4 Wednesdays. This series of five http://nearfm.ie/podcast/category/sports/this programmes looks at a number of -sporting-life/ national/international awareness days celebrated every year in Ireland. The

days/festivals vary from cultural celebrations in On Sunday April 21st Near FM broadcast the form of festivals such as ‘Africa Day’, ‘Pride live match coverage of Utd versus Festival’ and ‘International Migrants Day’ to Peamount Utd from the Women’s national days and events organised for people who League (WNL) in Morton Stadium, Santry. A share the same needs and interests such as very entertaining 2-2 draw. You can listen ‘Soccerfest’ and ‘International Day for People back to the excellent coverage & with disabilities’. The programmes are as commentary now follows: http://nearfm. ie/podcast/raheny-utd-v- peamount -utd-match-commentary/ 1. Africa Day This broadcast was supported by the BAI 2. Pride Festival S&V scheme. 3. Soccerfest 4. International Day for Persons with disabilities 5. International Migrants Day

IT’S A SECOND CHANCE, IT’S ANOTHER . CHOICE – IT’S NEAR CHOICE

WEEKEND OVERNIGHTS FROM 11.30PM

MARCH/APRIL 2013

The conference on "Social Justice Media - Examining the Evidence, Exploring the Possible" was held in the Chanel Parnells GAA Club on 9th March. The day was a great success with excellent and interesting contributions from all speakers and a very active audience. Traditional Music of the EU In partnership with Dublin City Council Arts The day was launched by Minister Pat Rabbitte Office, and as part of the Arts Council’s EU and we were very grateful that he braved the Presidency programme, Near Media Co-op protests to give us his views on how media in held a very successful Traditional Music Ireland deals (or otherwise) with issues of social weekend featuring musicians from justice. Fascinating contributions followed from Germany, Hungary, Basque Country & Farrel Corcoran, Nessa Childers MEP, Gavin Ireland. Over the course of the weekend the Titley, our own Sally Galiana, Fr Peter McVerry, general public was invited performances in Gerardine Rowley, Rita Fagan, Near COM Clasac & Unitarian Church. In addition we member Stephen Blayds, and Noel Cunningham broadcast the Clasac performance live of the Artane Coolock Credit Union. A packed simultaneously on Near FM 90.3 (Dublin), agenda kept the audience on their toes and it was Radio Corax (Halle, Germany), Antxeta excellently managed by MC Jack Byrne. Community Radio (Basque Country) & Civil Radio (Budapest). The conference achieved its aim of challenging Near, community media and media in general to Near Media Co-op and partners also met to properly prioritise issues of social justice and to do discuss and plan activities leading to a so in a way that is fair, balanced and equal. The transnational showcase and celebration of conference has placed Near Media Coop at the Traditional Music in the EU. Watch this forefront of the movement of media organisations space for more Traditional Music events run who believe that this is a crucial discussion to by Near Media Co-op. have. As a reminder, the conference concluded with the Parnell Declaration on Social Justice Media which states:

"All media must ensure that all people shall be treated equally and through broadcasting and education shall promote issues of human rights and equality and shall take appropriate measures to ensure the prioritisation of the same".

It should be borne in mind that this is a living declaration and the implementation and practice of the declaration will be the most appropriate legacy of the conference.

A massive thank you to all who organised the conference and worked so hard on the day to make it a success - too numerous to mention. You all displayed the professionalism that makes us all so proud of Near Media Coop. - Peter Cunningham

MARCH/APRIL 2013

New Volunteer

Who’s on Twitter? Are you?

Follow @nearfm @neartv @nearfmbtl @pridetimenearfm @oconnear @djdaley @backtrackingnow @localbizmatter @ARobinsonBL @nearfmsessions @eoindrinan @pcnear @ciaranmurray13 @aleaking @meyerdh @leftofthedialr @aoifeniccanna @drkeithredmond @jessiblah @nearrecords

Two videos were produced as part of the If you want to join our network send a tweet to @nearfm Social Justice Conference which was Hosted and we’ll follow you too. by the Near Media Co-op in March this year. Use the hash tags #nearfm #neartv #community radio and http://neartv.ie/feartv-investigates-social- we might even start a trend!! justice/ An in-depth investigation to the dangers of Social Justice (WARNING: this video may Welcome to 25 new volunteers who have just finished our contain satirical content) induction training, we are looking forward to hearing new voices on Near fm! http://neartv.ie/social-justice-media-2/

Social Justice Media – Examining the Evidence, Exploring the Possible’ was a conference hosted by the Near Media Co-op to mark its 30th anniversary. This is short video of The participants & musicians from the EU Trad weekend in interviews done on the day. the Unitarian Church.

WE HAVE WORKED WITH GROUPS SUCH AS CENTRAL REMEDIAL CLINIC, SPHERE 17 , NORTHSIDE CITIZENS INFORMATION CENTRE, SIMON COMMUNITY

MARCH/APRIL 2013

‘Be inspired’ In partnership with Coláiste Dhúlaigh, College of Further Education, Near Media Co-op are proud to present the innovative Northside Arts Series called ‘Be Inspired- Northside Arts Trail’. During the second half of May the general public A drinks reception and launch event of ‘Be is invited to enjoy numerous cultural events Inspired- Northside Arts Trail’ will be on May st running across Dublin postal districts of 1 at Axis Ballymum at 7.30pm. The launch 3,5,9,13,17. The trail highlights key theatre, music will be held in conjunction with Axis and visual art events happening across North Ballymun’s showing of ‘Eternal Rising of Dublin; produced by Northside cultural centres & The Sun’. All welcome! institutes. What: A drinks Reception and Launch The ‘Be Inspired’ team is made up of arts event of ‘Be Inspired- Northside Arts Trail’ st advisors, broadcasters, academics and culture When: Wednesday May 1 at 7.15pm enthusiasts to bring you a curated not to be Where: Axis Ballymun missed artistic showcase of established exhibitions, concerts and performances. The launch will be held in conjunction with Axis Ballymun’s showing of ‘Eternal

An inclusive approach to the arts and cultural Rising of The Sun’. This event is happening happenings is vital to our programming, with an in conjunction with Axis Ballymun’s showing open approach to the diversity of genres, including of Eternal Rising of The Sun. - Axis have commercial and community based art sources. kindly offered discounted prices to this show for Be Inspired participants, venues & their The programme will draw in our neighbouring staff and a ticket is only €10 instead of €15. districts with an exciting range of local small-scale More info on this show is available by to large outdoor events with a strategy to involve clicking the events name above. all of the citywide communities. ‘Be Inspired – Northside Arts Trail’ is an initiative co-ordinated by Coláiste Dhúlaigh, College of Further Education New Times and Near Media Co-op. Missing “Backtracking” from Wednesday nights? It has moved to Thursdays at 6pm. Events include: Printmaking Workshop and Open Studios as part Second Chance to Hear… of Visit 2013 in the Red Stables, Exhibition: ‘A Turn at the Pine Trees Celebration of Colour’ in the John Nolan Gallery, Gerry Cooley’s original series of 6 short several plays in the Axis theatre Ballymun, the stories adapted from his book of the same Coolock Library Art Group Bealtaine Exhibition to name returns to Nearfm Fridays at 6pm name a few. from April 12th.

DATES TO REMEMBER

3 May World Press Freedom Day 22 May International Day for Biodiversity 20 June World Refugee Day

LISTEN AGAIN AND CATCH UP AT NEAR.IE

MARCH/APRIL 2013

Outside Broadcasts: Part one from Festivals from the Northside form the Northside live from the Five Lamps Festival, April 9th in Marino. http://nearfm.ie/podcast/category/arts-2/festivals-from-the- northside Come over and join us for part two from Festivals from the Northside! Phizzfest, Saturday May 4th from 11.00-2.00pm

Other training we are currently running: FETAC level 3 in Media Expression for female presenters/producers who are interested in forming a team to develop a weekly women’s hour (of half) on nearfm. Our sister radio station, West Dublin Access Radio (WDAR) in Ballyfermot started a new programme called ‘Female Intuition’ last Autumn and we are planning to get a similar programme running at nearfm. We started training with over 15 participants early April and will run the course over 5 weeks to start a womens programme later this summer.

Congratulations to Ronan Burtenshaw, The Jomac Show is a new 2 part radio series about editor of student newspaper Trinity News the history of the voluntary entertainment and variety which received several awards at this years group – Jomac. National Student Media Awards including

Newspaper of the Year and Web Designer

of the year for Ronan himself. Since 1953 the Jomac show has being entertaining Ronan also produces a special monthly thousands of Dubliners across the City. For more than 60 series on Nearfm called “1913 Unfinished years this group of volunteers has been entertaining young Business” focusing on the history of the and old alike across the city in hospitals, old people's 1913 lockout. You can hear the next homes and orphanages. The Jomac Show brought light episode on Nearfm Tuesday May 14th at relief to its audiences and through the years has featured 3.30pm. Previous episodes are all available singers, dancers, musicians, comedians and magicians. on www.near.ie Among its alumni down through the years have been entertainers such as the Brannigans, Butch Moore, Joe Cuddy, the Bachelors and Noel V Ginnity.

th The series can be heard in full on Saturday 18 May 2013 at 9.30am on Nearfm 90.3. Programmes are also available at www.nearpodcast.org and can be heard live streaming at www.near.ie

The Jomac Show is devised and produced by Beaumont Nearchoice – Friday and Saturday resident, Joe O’Connor, a former member and leader with St Francis Xavier Boys Club and his son, Nearfm nights from 11.30pm volunteer Dave O’Connor, with the assistance of the Sound & Vision Fund, a BAI initiative MARCH/APRIL 2013

th Bank Holiday Monday 6 May Near fm Schedule

8am The Jukebox with Andrew Reid

10am Lifeline with Ger Leddin

12 noon Lunchtime Miscellany with Joseph Keegan

2pm Backtracking with Andy Flannery

4pm Late Afternoon with John Healy

6pm Rock n Roll with Gavin Byrne

8pm The Ska Patrol with Joe and Gero

10pm Global Roots with Tony Fitzsimons

Colm Marren – Fridays at 10.00pm Volunteer Profile Colm Marren The Relaxation Room – Fridays 10pm

What is your programme about? The Relaxation Room is the show to end your weekend chilled out and with a smile on your face: a Sunday night mix of live music, interviews, hobbies, gigs & activities coming up soon that listeners can find out about, as well as plenty of friendly chatter.

Tell me about the best programme you have had. I can't list one, as every show seems to have a moment or segment that brings a smile to my face! Pretty much every live music performance in-studio has been an amazing memory though.

What's the most inspiring feedback you have received from listeners? I think the best feedback is from listeners who just genuinely enjoy tuning in and listening to the banter back-and-forth; radio has a special place in providing The Jomac Show can be heard in full on th that 'friend-in-the-room' feeling, and I love being able to Saturday 18 May 2013 at 9.30am on bring that to listeners. Nearfm 90.3. What other Nearfm programmes do you listen to? I really enjoy The Near FM Sessions, and always tune into DJ Daley's show when I'm en-route to the studio

Ed Note: Colm has moved to Fridays since this interview was carried out MARCH/APRIL 2013

”. Every quarter we run analytics to see You can find Nearfm on free radio apps like how Near.ie is performing. Here’s Q1 TuneinRadio and Wunderradio

2013. If you’re reading a hard copy of the  In the first quarter of 2013 nearfm.ie newsletter but would like a delivery to your got 11,607 Visits and of these 7,285 inbox every edition – subscribe. were ‘Unique Visitors’.

It’s free and easy too.  58.9% of our visitors are ‘New Visitors’, meaning we get more new Email [email protected] visitors then returning visitors.

 65.9% of our Traffic is from referrals from other websites;

Near.ie - 5,113 On the Governance Code Journey. Referrals Facebook - 1,012 The Committee of Management of Near Referrals Media Co-op is in the middle of adopting the Twitter - 430 Referrals Governance Code. This is a Code of Practice for Good Governance of Community, Voluntary and Charitable  Our largest Social Network Referral is Organisations in Ireland. from Facebook. The Committee is working hard to ensure  Our top three most popular Page that Near Media Co-op is at the forefront of Views are; good governance for community media in Ireland. nearfm.ie/(Home Page) - 33.68%, nearfm.ie/listen-online/ - 14.58% You can find out more at nearfm.ie/webcam/ - 6.13% www.governancecode.ie

A list of all other groups on the same  After Ireland, the top three countries journey can be downloaded here: we get visitors from are; https://www.wheel.ie/sites/default/files/ United Kingdom - 877 Visitors List%20of%20Organisations%20on%20 United States - 549 Visitors the%20Adoption%20journey%20as%20 Brazil - 202 Visitors at%2018%20April%202013_0.pdf

We had visitors from 86 different countries around the world.

For information about Community Radio across Ireland log on to www.craol.ie

MARCH/APRIL 2013

From the archive.... Celebrating 30 Years of Near Media Co-op

When Nearfm was 10.

Staff and volunteers. Taken in the office ‘Mark 2’ at the

Coolock Development Centre, where Near TV is now.

Logo for the Community IT Bureau – now Near Online

State of the art technology in the ;80s at North Dublin

C ommunity Radio...... note the light switch to remote start the record deck!!

Logo for Community Empowerment Television – now Near TV Productions.

Logo for North East Access Radio – Now Nearfm