asting Community Broadc in Australia contents welcome

WELCOME...... 1

COMMUNITY BROADCASTING – A SUCCESS STORY...... 2 Community broadcasting has helped shape FOR EVERY COMMUNITY...... 4 the media landscape in Australia. It’s recognised internationally as one of the most successful WHAT MAKES COMMUNITY BROADCASTING POSSIBLE?...... 6 examples of grassroots media.

AUSTRALIAN CONTENT...... 8 It distinguishes itself from other media by providing

DIVERSE WORLDS...... 10 the local community with access and participation in media production and management. Localism AUDIENCES & SUPPORTERS...... 12 and independence are defining features.

PEOPLE & SKILLS...... 14 Community broadcasting provides news, information, cultural content and entertainment to communities COMMUNITY TELEVISION...... 16 defined by geographical location or common interest, including Indigenous, specialist music, ethnic, References and Further Information...... inside back cover educational, youth, religious and print disabled.

Community Broadcasting Sector Contacts ...... back cover

Australia’s community media sector is known for its size and reach. The vast number of stations spread across the country form a network that rivals commercial and public broadcasters. For many communities it is the only media producing local content in their area.

Reflecting Australia’s immense cultural and linguistic diversity, it creates an array of services and programs, and broadens the media choices available to all of us.

This publication is the joint initiative of the national representative bodies of the Community broadcasting is taking every opportunity community broadcasting sector: to expand into new online and free-to-air digital platforms. Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, National Ethnic & Multicultural Broadcasters’ Council, Australian Indigenous Communications Association, RPH Australia, Our skills and experience working on the ground in diverse Australian Community Television Alliance and Christian Media Australia. communities are providing unique and exciting contributions For contact details, see back cover. to the digital economy. Produced with the assistance of the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy via the Community Broadcasting Foundation. July 2010

1 Guiding Principles of Community Broadcasting Community Broadcasting: Community broadcasters are united by six guiding principles:* > Promote harmony and diversity and contribute to an inclusive, A Success Story cohesive and culturally diverse Australian community > Pursue the principles of democracy, access and equity, especially for people and issues not adequately represented Over the last 40 years community broadcasting has flourished. in other media > Enhance the diversity of programming choices available There are now more than 350 long-term licensed community radio stations and to the public and present programs that expand the variety more than 80 long-term licensed community television services around Australia, of viewpoints broadcast in Australia all free-to-air. A further 42 digital TV and radio services will launch in 2010.* > Demonstrate independence in programming as well as in editorial and management decisions Each station is run on a not-for-profit basis by its community. While the sector > Support and develop local arts and music employs 1,000 people it is largely volunteer driven, with over 23,000 Australians > Increase community involvement in broadcasting. contributing to operations and programming.

Community demand for new services remains strong, with over 100 community organisations currently seeking new community broadcasting licences.

Community broadcasting is popular with audiences of all ages and backgrounds, closely reflecting the demographics of the Australian population.

Over four million people listen weekly to community radio, while more than nine million tune in every month. Over 600,000 Australians listen to community radio exclusively and between 2004 and 2010 audiences grew by 17 per cent.^

Community television’s peak audience of over 3.7 million viewers per month will expand with its shift to a digital, free-to-air platform from 2010.°

LEGAL FRAMEWORK The Broadcasting Services Act (1992) outlines the legal framework for community broadcasting licensees. Volunteers from Brisbane’s 4ZzZ

It explains the role the sector plays in delivering media services which reflect Media Innovators a sense of Australian identity, character and cultural diversity. The people who established community broadcasting came from The community broadcasting sector has developed guiding principles and policies diverse backgrounds, but had one thing in common: their interests for station operations and programming, which are set out in both the Community were inadequately represented in commercial and government media. Radio and Community Television Codes of Practice. Migrants, Indigenous people, those nation a case was made that ultimately The Australian Communications and Media Authority regulates broadcasting pursuing social justice, music lovers, led to agreement from Government services in Australia, including the registration of Codes of Practice for the students, people with disabilities to licence a new broadcasting model broadcasting industry. and many others worked to establish based on access and participation, a voice in the media that they could community ownership and control. The Act and the Codes are complementary and stations are legally obliged to follow organise and run themselves. the requirements of both. Decades on, community broadcasting In remote Indigenous communities, in is the largest sector of its type rural communities lacking local media anywhere in the world and a unique and in ethnic communities across the feature of Australian media. 2 *ACMA (as at 25 June 2010) ^ Community Radio National Listener Survey (2010) ° Oz TAM 3

*Preamble to the Community Broadcasting Codes of Practice SECTOR PROJECT: DIGITAL RADIO PROJECT The Digital Radio Project (DRP) is providing digital transmission and content delivery infrastructure for metro-wide community radio FOR EVERY stations in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth. The introduction of digital radio services in the mainland state capital COMMUNITY cities is the first stage of the Federal Government’s digital radio framework.

The DRP is working with 37 metro-wide community stations to establish free-to-air digital services in 2010. It is central to the community broadcasting sector’s increasing engagement with multi-platform service delivery. Many Kinds Some stations with very diverse of Communities formats manage to incorporate most or all of these specialist interests. Community and Indigenous broadcasting stations serve specific As below, 80 per cent of community Emergency Broadcasting Stations are also transitioning to ‘community interests’, which may be broadcasting services are located in digital transmission, starting with defined geographically or culturally. rural, remote and regional Australia.^ In times of emergency, many five community television services. community radio stations play From Kangaroo Island to Thursday a critical role for their communities, In 2010, 37 community radio services Island, Christmas to Palm Island, Metro 11% working alongside emergency in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, hundreds of stations serve a broad services agencies and other media Perth and Sydney are launching their Sub-metro 9% range of interests within a defined to get the message out. digital services. geographical area. These make Growth in Long-Term Licensed up close to half (47%) of community Stations are important community hubs, helping in times of emergency Services since 1980* broadcasting stations.* Rural/Remote 53% Regional and keeping communities informed 27% as they recover and rebuild. The other half (53%) of community 430 broadcasting services are specialist services, serving communities AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST defined by common interests. MEDIA SECTOR 363 These include ethnic, educational, Since the first community stations Indigenous, youth, specialist music Community stations are a major in the 1970s, communities have interests, print disability (RPH), provider of locally-produced content established more than 500 licensed seniors, gay and lesbian, arts right across Australia, but particularly services. and religious stations. in remote areas. 81 Community demand for new Each station is unique and In fact, 30 per cent of community services remains strong. Over 100 25 incorporates its own mix of many radio stations report that they are community organisations are 1980 1990 2000 2010 of these interests to reflect local the only source of local programs operating temporary services needs. For example, while there in their communities.° and seeking long-term community are six specialist ethnic stations, broadcasting licences. ethnic programming is produced at over 130 stations.

4 Education/ 5 * ACMA Communications Report 2008-09, p.43 ^ ACMA (as at 25 June 2010) Access 5% * Based on CBF analysis of licence issue data ° Community Broadcasting Database (2007-08) Other 7%

Subscriptions & Fundraising 10%

Sponsorship DEWHA 41% Indigenous Broadcasting Program 11%

Donations 13% CBF & Government Grants 13% Metro 11%

Sub-metro 9% SECTOR PROJECT: AMRAP The Australian Music Radio Airplay Project is a community radio initiative that works with the musicRural/Remote industry, Australian musicians What Makes 53% and community broadcasters to get great contemporaryRegional Australian 27% Community music national airplay, faster. Amrap offers services for signed and unsigned Australian artists, Broadcasting major and independent record labels and all community radio stations around Australia. Possible? www.amrap.org.au

Participation, Localism, Technology + Training Communication Spectrum From late 2007, Indigenous Independence, Diversity broadcasting funding has been Community broadcasting offers Communication spectrum – especially provided through the Department The dedication and commitment of the opportunity to build skills, access the part of the electromagnetic of Environment, Water, Heritage thousands of people working together, facilities and participate in media spectrum corresponding to and the Arts. guided by principles of democracy, production in the convergent multi- broadcasting frequencies - is an access and equity, are key to the platform media environment. increasingly valuable resource. Community Radio Funding (07-08)* success of community broadcasting. The Federal Government regulates The sector trains over 8,000 Education/ Locally owned and controlled, Australians each year in media use of spectrum, a public asset. Access 5% production, administration and Other 7% it is an important independent voice Reservation of adequate spectrum, in the Australian media landscape, management skills.^ Subscriptions and funding for necessary & Fundraising countering increasing media Community Stations: infrastructure to use it, are critical 10% concentration and centralisation. > broadcast free-to air in analog to the future of Australian community Sponsorship DEWHA broadcasting. 41% Indigenous Independence means that services are and are adding digital services Broadcasting owned and operated by the community. (as licensing permits) Program 11% Membership is open, decision-making > stream audio online Sources of Income is democratic. > podcast and vodcast programs Donations 13% The not-for-profit community CBF & > many also archive programs Government Participation is key. More than 23,000 broadcasting sector is largely Grants 13% Australians volunteer their time to online to expand audience access. self-funded. participate in community broadcasting As technology changes, community Major income sources include each year. Annual volunteer effort Recent research, industry analysis stations are working to meet the sponsorship, membership, is valued at $342 million.* and bi-partisan parliamentary challenges of renewing broadcasting listener subscriptions and donations, assessment suggest a significant Community broadcasting plays an infrastructure and empowering but sources vary widely between increase in Federal Government important role in local communities. volunteers to create media stations in their different communities. support is warranted for the Programs are authentic reflections across platforms. Federal Government funding future development of community of the concerns, talents and creativity support is provided by the broadcasting.^ of the community. Department of Broadband, The voices broadcasting are those Communications and the Digital of the audience, more accurately Economy and is distributed via the representing the social and cultural Community Broadcasting Foundation. diversity that exists in communities.

6 * CBF estimate (refer inside back cover) ^ Community Broadcasting Database (2007-08) * Community Broadcasting Database (2007-08) ^(refer inside back cover) 7 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media... play a critical role in ensuring australian content the maintenance of Indigenous culture, heritage and language.

Australians need to know what’s happening in their own area and to share information about their own communities. Community media complements commercial and national media by providing a local focus as well as alternative and niche programming. In other media sectors, ‘local content’ is often taken to refer to Australian content. For the community broadcasting sector, local content means programming produced in the local community which is directly and locally significant to people living in that community. Boasting 77 per cent locally produced programming (plus a further 15 per cent wider Australian content), the sector is a major source of Australian content Presenter from NT’s Ramingining RIBS for both radio and television at a time when mass media is increasingly reliant on overseas sources.* INDIGENOUS BROADCASTING This commitment to localism ensures that community broadcasting services reflect a sense of Australian identity, character and cultural diversity. Indigenous radio and TV are part of a broader sector also encompassing Support for Australian music, musicians and live performance is a further print, online, film, video and communications. expression of this principle. They are working to have the dreams, aspirations and history of Indigenous The sector broadcasts 36 per cent Australian music.* This significantly exceeds Australians heard, seen, understood, accepted and respected by the entire the 25 per cent commitment in the Codes of Practice, which is in turn far higher Australian community. than requirements for other media sectors. They also play a major role in broader public understanding of how media and communications interact with their diverse cultures and heritage. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media acknowledge the diverse social, spiritual and philosophical aspects of their customs and values and play a critical By the Community For the Community role in ensuring the maintenance of Indigenous culture, heritage and language. > Each week over 46,000 hours of radio and hundreds They also provide information, entertainment, employment and training of hours of TV programming is broadcast* opportunities for Indigenous communities. > Over 90,000 hours of community information Indigenous broadcasters have as their aim a peak National Indigenous is broadcast each year Broadcasting Service, a new authority to parallel the ABC and SBS. This was recommended in a key report of the Productivity Commission Australia’s Largest Language Laboratory and is still to be adopted.* > Programming in more than 100 languages, supporting > Dedicated Indigenous community radio stations (metro and regional): 25° cultural and linguistic diversity and cultural retention > Remote Indigenous Broadcasting Services (RIBS): 105 for Indigenous, Ethnic and refugee communities. > Other community radio stations with Indigenous programming: 89 Presenter from Perth’s 6NME > Hours of Indigenous content broadcast each week throughout Australia: 1,392

* Community Broadcasting Database (2007-08) * Productivity Commission 2000, Broadcasting, Report no. 11, Ausinfo, Canberra. 8 ° Community Broadcasting Database (2007-08) 9 EDUCATIONAL RPH AUSTRALIA diverse worlds BROADCASTING Educational institutions were among RPH Australia provides a network the early pioneers of community of independent radio reading services Community broadcasters provide creative, diverse programming, broadcasting. Today, a key group which strive to meet the daily pushing media boundaries within more than 500 radio and TV of stations embrace an educational information needs of the three million services nationwide. role in its broadest sense. Australians with a print disability. They produce informative and RPH services are designed to provide Programs are as diverse as the communities that create them knowledgeable talks and music easy access to a diverse range of and services vary widely, incorporating the following areas programming to get people talking high-turnover print media, such as and many more.* and thinking. newspapers, magazines and books. This is combined with a strong > Dedicated RPH community radio commitment to access and training, Music ETHNIC BROADCASTING stations: 17 most having formal connections with tertiary institutions and schools. > Other community radio stations 18 Australians love community Ethnic community broadcasting Partnerships with schools are also with RPH programming: broadcasting for its diverse music is a champion of multiculturalism, strong and are part of the educational > Hours of RPH content broadcast formats. They allow people who are helping to shape a diverse, harmonious role played by many more stations each week: 2050 enthusiastic and deeply knowledgeable and inclusive Australian society. across the sector. about music to share their interest. New immigrants and refugees report > Stations with an ‘educational’ YOUTH BROADCASTING There are specialist stations that that early access to ethnic community community interest: 8 play classical music, others play radio makes a profound difference > Universities with formal independent contemporary music, to their settlement experiences. connections to community Community broadcasting is a pathway some specialise in Indigenous, country broadcasters: 12 for young people to directly experience It provides information in their first or jazz music, but virtually every all aspects of media production language as well as assisting with > Sector-based Registered Training station has music as a core part and operations. cultural maintenance. Organisations (RTOs) providing of its programming. nationally accredited training: 6 In many stations, young people are Ethnic broadcasting provides the driving influence in engagement NEWS, CURRENT AFFAIRS a vital source of information and expansion into new technologies & SPORT and contact in rural areas. RELIGIOUS BROADCASTING and opportunities. News, current affairs and sport > Dedicated Ethnic Stations: 6 Almost three-quarters (72%) of all Through their involvement, young are critical components of community > Other community radio stations people communicate with each other broadcasting, often providing the only with ethnic programming: 131 community radio stations broadcast religious programming. and the wider community, developing locally based information. > Number of Languages: 95 key life skills. > Number of hours of ethnic programs In ethnic and Indigenous programs, Christian stations make up produced each week: 2027 Formal links with schools and tertiary news and information in over 100 almost 10 per cent of all community radio stations, with 36 full-time institutions are an important part of languages enables a huge range many stations’ activities. of Australians to keep in touch. Christian stations. > Dedicated religious stations: 35 National services produced within the sector include National Radio News > Other community radio stations (NRN), National Indigenous News Service with religious programming: 163 (NINS), The Wire, a live daily current > Hours of religious programming * Figures drawn from Community 10 affairs program and The Daily Interview. each week: 3,704 Broadcasting Database (2007-08) 11 SECTOR PROJECT: CBONLINE CBOnline manages online, technical and research projects for the sector, including the Digital Delivery Network (DDN), AUDIENCES National Listener Survey and National Station Census (formerly the Community Broadcasting Database). & SUPPORTERS The DDN automates program ordering and distribution from the Community Radio Network satellite channel. The Census surveys stations biennially to collect current data about station operations. In alternate years, CBOnline commissions the National Listener Survey - independent audience research. www.cbonline.org.au

LARGE + LOYAL AUDIENCES SUPPORTED BY SPONSORS Australians love community Community radio and TV offer local broadcasting and recognise it as a business, government and the valuable part of the media landscape. third sector unique opportunities & to reach Australians of all ages and The sector has shown strong growth backgrounds through sponsorship. in audience figures as people listen out for alternative sources of news Sponsorship plays an important role and entertainment. in generating financial support for the community broadcasting sector. According to the biennial Community Radio National Listener Survey (2010), It forms 41 per cent of community Australians value most the local radio sector income and is the largest content and diverse music formats single income source for community that community radio offers. radio and television services.

> In an average month, 9.3 million > Australians in hard-to-reach Australians (54 per cent of regional, rural and remote areas the population) listen to can be accessed by community Volunteers from Brisbane’s 4EB community radio broadcasting > Every week, 4.4 million (26 per > Ethnic broadcasting, RPH Supported by community > More than 165,000 Australians cent) listen to community radio Australia and the Indigenous are subscribers or donors* > 640,000 Australians are media sector facilitate access As not-for-profit organisations, exclusive regular listeners to their communities community radio and TV stations > Subscriptions and donations to community radio > Sponsorship of niche programming rely on support from the community. collectively contribute 23% of community radio sector income > Community television services in specialist stations allows access For many stations annual radiothons, attract 3.7 million Australian to demographic groups that are where listeners and viewers become > Listeners and the local community viewers every month difficult to reach via other media. members or donate, are key to contribute to stations’ operating > In an average month 1.6 sustaining operations. revenue through subscriptions, million Australians (7.3% of the membership fees, annual on air Fundraisers, events and live appeals and airtime access fees. population) speak a language other performances are also ways that than English at home and listen communities show support for to community radio. their local station. 12 13 * Community Broadcasting Database (2007-08) SECTOR PROJECT: NATIONAL TRAINING PROJECT The National Training Project (NTP) supports the development and delivery of nationally-recognised training in media and management skills for Australian PEOPLE & SKILLS community broadcasters. This includes entry-level training pathway courses as well as certificate and diploma courses. Innovation is the key to NTP success, resulting in the development of e-learning resources and the utilisation of new technologies for the learning environment. NTP priorities include broadcasters in rural and regional areas as well as Indigenous, Radio for the Print Handicapped and ethnic broadcasters. www.nationaltrainingproject.org.au Media literacy is critical It’s also critical for language in the digital age maintenance and development. Community radio and TV stations For school and University students, form Australia’s largest media as well as volunteers at any age, literacy workshop, training over being part of their local community 8000 people each year in media station fosters creativity and active & engagement, builds confidence and production, administration and management skills.* facilitates entry, or re-entry, into formal learning and employment. As the digital revolution continues, community broadcasting is a catalyst The broader Australian media for the development of media and depends on community broadcasting digital literacy in hundreds of for both entry-level and advanced Australian communities through its training and skills development. focus on access and participation. Many thousands of people employed As part of this process, broadcasting in other media across the country is being transformed by digital were originally community convergence. A wide range of broadcasters. Many more technology, people and management remain highly skilled community Volunteers from Lismore’s RiverFM skills are now essential in today’s broadcasters whilst pursuing multi-platform media environment. careers in other fields. When people participate as Six organisations within community The community broadcasting sector broadcasting are Registered offers two major streams of training: producers, not just consumers, Training in Community Training Organisations. They offer their relationship with media Broadcasting an accredited training umbrella Media Skills: encompassing a is transformed. This experience With huge numbers of participants for many local stations. range from studio operation and develops multiple transferable skills. and the range of complex skills and radio presentation to video, digital For Indigenous communities, activities needed to operate a station, > Brisbane Indigenous Media multimedia and online production. training at all levels is a fundamental Association media is a key employment area, Management Training: incorporating and ongoing enterprise. > Community Broadcasting particularly providing opportunities governance, finance and business, Association of Australia for young people. people and community engagement Stations offer training from informal > Diversitat In migrant and refugee communities, mentoring and formal courses to skills, project management and > participation in their local station nationally accredited qualifications Goolari Media Enterprises effective leadership. Broadcast technology and online skills training is key to being a part of their own as part of both both VET and > Radio Adelaide is also a key focus for future training and the broader community. University frameworks. > Radio Larrakia. development. 14 15 * Community Broadcasting Database (2007-08) community broadcasting Resources Community Television > Community Broadcasting Foundation: The CBF is an independent non-profit funding agency that solicits and distributes funds for the maintenance and development of community broadcasting in Australia. See www.cbf.com.au for a range of information about sector grants, projects and publications. The Community Television Sector in Australia is vibrant and diverse. > Codes of Practice: The Codes of Practice set out the guiding principles and policies for programming on community There are CTV stations in Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane. broadcasting stations (www.cbaa.org.au). In addition, 78 Indigenous community television licences service remote > Government: communities under the Remote Indigenous Broadcasting Services (RIBS) scheme. • www.dbcde.gov.au • www.environment.gov.au Licensing of community TV broadcasters commenced in early 1987 and legislation • Tuning in to Community Broadcasting House of to allow for permanent licensing of community TV services was introduced in 2002. Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, In November 2009, digital licences were granted to community TV operators in the Information Technology and the Arts, June 2007 mainland capital cities, along with $2.6 million in funding for transmission upgrades. > regulation: The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has a range of information about licensing, spectrum Metropolitan community TV services produce 166 hours per week of local and other key regulatory aspects of community broadcasting Cprogramming. Community TV provides local communities with a chance to access (www.acma.gov.au). television broadcasting facilities and participate in the world of TV. > Sector Projects: The community broadcasting sector manages four key projects: Community television in remote Indigenous communities produces local programs • Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (www.amrap.org.au) that work towards language and cultural maintenance. They are also a source • Community Broadcasting Online Project of local news and information. (www.cbonline.org.au) • Digital Radio Project (www.cbaa.org.au) Over 3.7 million Australians tune into community TV each month.* One third • National Training Project of community TV programming is news and current affairs, presenting views (www.nationaltrainingproject.org.au) and discussing issues not covered by other media sectors. > Sector Advocacy: Community Broadcasting & Media: Year 2015 (Sector Budget Submission Oct. 2009). (www.cbaa.org.au) > sector Research: The Community Broadcasting Database is a biennial survey of the community radio sector. The Community Radio National Listener Survey is a biennial survey of community GET INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY BROADCASTING! radio audiences. These research projects are undertaken in Produced with INDIVIDUALS: alternate years. (www.cbonline.org.au). the assistance of the > other Research: find your local station via www.cbonline.org.au and Department of Broadband, > volunteer • Community Media Matters - an audience study of the Communications and Australian community broadcasting sector > BECOME A SUPPORTER the Digital Economy (Meadows, Forde, Ewart and Foxwell, Griffith University, Brisbane, 2007). > DONATE via the Community Broadcasting Foundation • Culture, commitment community - the Australian ORGANISATIONS: community radio sector (Meadows, Forde and Foxwell, Graphic Design: Griffith University, Brisbane, 2002). > MAKE NEWS: are you a community organisation with something to say? birdcreative Contact the news room at your local station and tell them all about it. www.birdcreative.com.au > BECOME A SPONSOR: get your message heard across the country on Footnote from page six community radio and TV. printed on: This estimate is based on median weekly earnings of $1,000 ecoStar > for full-time workers (Australian Bureau of Statistics Ausstats PROMOTE LOCAL ARTS & MUSIC: promote local shows or get your band heard data series 6310.0 published in August 2008). on community radio and TV. Contact your local station or AMRAP for details. An hourly rate of $28.57 for an average of ten hours per week per volunteer (as established by Meadows, Forde and Foxwell in Culture, commitment community - the Australian community radio sector, Griffith University, Brisbane, 2002.) for 23,000 volunteers yields a figure of $341,697,200 per annum. 16 *Oz TAM NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE BODIES OF THE COMMUNITY BROADCASTING SECTOR

Australian Community Television Alliance Ph:(03) 9660 3131

Australian Indigenous Communications Association www.aicainc.org.au I Ph:(02) 6262 8699

Christian Media Australia www.christianmedia.org.au I Ph:(08) 8121 4277

Community Broadcasting Association of Australia www.cbaa.org.au I Ph:(02) 9310 2999

National Ethnic & Multicultural Broadcasters Council www.nembc.org.au I Ph:(03) 9486 9549

RPH Australia www.rph.org.au I Ph:1300 710 440