CBAV NewsLetter NewsLetter of CBAV Inc., Vol. 25, No. 1, March, 2011

Community Broadcasting Association of Incorporated

ASSOCIATION NUMBER: A0000434R ABN: 55 160 850 487 Postal Address for CBAV: 36 John St, Kangaroo Flat, 3555

CBAV Email address is [email protected] Telephone: (03)-5447-9359

CBAV renewal making progress National and licensing issues addressed at AGM

Great Roll-up for CBAV more frequent communication by engagement guidelines, seeking five newsletter, year business plans and budgets February Workshop (CBAA had been pushing for two  the commissioning of a station by Ken Thompson years), details on sponsorship, etc - survey seeking input on issues and process is far more intrusive than in A large gathering of station services that stations would like the the past. The attitude of ACMA is representatives heard from CBAA CBAV to cover, and hardening as the availabilty of President and its CEO on a range of  the scheduling of the next spectrum is more precious than ever issues affecting the sector at the workshop in May, 2011 whilst all - telco's seeking frequencies for recent CBAV workshop. A summary these matters are being progressed. other commercial services, etc. of the discussion is outlined below. Importantly, the CBAV wishes to 4. APRA is looking to develop a The AGM was also held in February uphold the values and foundations packaging approach to broadcasting where a number of new members upon which the sector was built. and streaming - which may reduce were elected to the CBAV costs to us. Committee. The whole event was CBAV hopes to work in a manner extremely well received and there is that supplements and complements 5. The PPCA (Phongraphic much optimism and energy driving the work of its member stations and Performance Comapny of ) the CBAV to fulfil the needs of the CBAA, however it is important is currently in the Federal Court Victorian based stations. that all stations provide input to the seeking to lift the cap it can charge CBAV to guide its future direction for copyright (currently 0.4% for our The new committee comprises: and related activities – the more we sector) - this is likely to occur and President – Mike Tobin all put in, the more we all reap the result in increased costs for us. (3EON - KLFM, Bendigo) benefits. Secretary – Chris Zerafa (3NOW) 6. The CBAA is to launch a Treasurer – Heidi Tobin CBAA Discussion mediation/conflict resolution (3EON - KLFM, Bendigo) partnership to assist stations where We were pleased to have both the Committee Members – Alan Martin required. CBAA President and the CEO - the (3ECB), Emma Johnson (3MDR), first time CBAV has ever managed 7. The CBAA annual conference will Eugene O’Rourke (3ZZZ, 3WBC), to have both at the same time! be in November this year - venue to Ken Thompson (3GCR), John be resolved. Worcester (3MBS, 3WBC), and Ania The leadership (President Adrian Zamecznik (3ZZZ - pending). Basso and CEO Kath Letch) of the Digital Broadcasting Public Officer is John Worcester. CBAA advised the following: 1. The framework is complex - but a The new committee is committed to 1. The regulator (ACMA) has been key difference to the current regime re-building the support and very busy developing and enforcing is that broadcasters will no longer be networking opportunities for guidelines on community responsible for transmission - that Victorian based community stations participation and sponsorship (key will be delivered by joint venture and will be seeking input from all points outlined below) and is companies on behalf of a number of such stations (financial members or working on "not for profit" guidelines broadcasters. otherwise) on the issues and at the moment. 2. Community radio has been services that stations would like to allocated 2/9 of available capacity in see from its peak State body. 2. A convergence review of legislation this year may also have whilst regional roll-out yet The Committee have already kicked implications for our sector. to be resolved for the medium term. off a range of initiatives which will 3. Licence renewal processes are 3. DAB+ has been submitted as the help facilitate improved dialogue platform for digital radio (apparently with Victorian community stations increasing in robustness with ACMA seeking more emphasis from the UK now wishes it had adopted and move us all towards improved this superior technology); services for the sector. licencees in meeting their commitments in areas such as commercial radio will have higher bit This includes : engagement of local communities rates (128kb/sec) - however whilst assessed via the community community sector will have a lower  the re-birth of the CBAV website,

Community Broadcasting Association of Victoria Inc. NewsLetter Page 1 rate 64kb/sec it was advised that activity or initiative alone would this will still sound very good. result in compliance with these CBAV NEWSLETTER requirements. 4. A number of community radio CBAV NewsLetter has been re- test services are now running in the 5. Licensees should monitor and instigated! capital cities. respond to changing community The NewsLetter is being distributed needs. 5. Whilst stations may simply by email as it was in the past - and simulcast on digital radio - this does 6. Licensees should have an soon with increased availability on not make full use of the technology - appropriate organisational structure, our website which is in the process as text, logos, song information, regularly take steps to identify the of being re-established. graphics and sponsorship can all be needs of the community they serve We welcome news items from you ! transmitted along with audio - note and have a program schedule which - from your station or from that legislation is silent on limits for reflects the needs of the community individuals. such (non audible) advertising. they serve. 6. Digital radio will also allow for Sponsorship Guidelines - key points station interchange (one to one or only CBAV COMMITTEE one to many) - if the national President Mike Tobin 1. Community broadcasters must broadband roll-out occurs - the KLFM Bendigo not broadcast advertisements - satellite technology may become Ph: (03)-5447-9359 except if it is accidental or incidental obsolete. E: [email protected] accompaniment to a broadcast and Treasurer Heidi Tobin KLFM 7. Costs of transmission are likely no payment or valuable to reduce (electricity usage) - consideration has been received by Ph: (03)-5447-9359 however the Government is the station. E: [email protected] currently funding our sector for data Secretary Chris Zerafa transference - this may not always 2. Community broadcasters may NorthWest-FM (3NOW) be the case. broadcast sponsorship Ph: 0418-104-058 (appropriately tagged) up to five E: [email protected] 8. You will not be able to monitor off minutes per hour. Committee Member air with digital - takes about 8 Eugene O Rourke 3ZZZ, 3WBC 3. Community licensees are seconds from delivery to receiver. Committee Member responsible for all material they Allan Martin 3ECB Web-Site Issues – it was noted broadcast, including material Committee Member that: sourced externally or produced by the stations. John Worcester 3MBS, 3WBC 1. The station is liable for all web- Committee Member sites of its presenters - in terms of Anna Zamecznik 3ZZZ (pending) compliance with the codes of EDITORIAL Committee Member Non-Metro practice and website ethics. ACMA Ken Thompson 3GCR by John Worcester is taking an interest in this area. Committee Member Non-Metro Emma Johnson 3MDR 2. It was suggested that only the It’s four years since CBAV produced station web-site should be promoted a NewsLetter. With a re-vitalised and that if others exist - they could Committee, determined that CBAV be linked. be much more active and visible to CAN WE HAVE YOUR Victorian stations, this really 3. Promoting a presenter's website provides a great opportunity to EMAIL ADDRESS? where advertising for personal gain improve things for the sector. CBAV has a database of an email was being undertaken was seen as address for each station and group. a fairly blatent misuse of a While there might appear to be CBAV is keen to add a second community radio licence. some stated “rivalry” (Southern NSW body extending into Victoria database - covering individuals ACMA Guidelines - available on and Melbourne), CBAV’s view is that active in community broadcasting. its website the more that can be offered to You don’t need to be a member of stations the better. your station’s Committee of Community Participation Traditionally, all licensed stations Management but might be a staff 1. Licensees must encourage were members of CBAV. Not all are member or a volunteer. members of the communities they currently financial. There is a $50 We can then distribute notices and serve to participate in the annual flat fee which provides newsletters directly to you. management and running of their useful finance for covering Please send your email address to stations. expenditure (and we hope all [email protected] stations will contribute!) 2. Licensees must encourage members of the communities they serve to participate in the selection CBAV COMMITTEE This Newsletter has been and provision of their programs. prepared by a team - Ken MEETING Thompson and John 3. Licensees must continue to Worcester. represent the community of interest CBAV Committee met on 6th March [email protected] that they represented when the to prepare its program for 2011. licence was granted or renewed, News items are always COMING UP! - 2 seminars in May - appreciated - please send them 4. Licensees should use a range of one in Bendigo to be repeated in to this email address. initiatives and measures to Gippsland to focus on Licence encourage community participation Renewal Application processes and to ensure they represent their (reps from ACMA). community interest. No single

Community Broadcasting Association of Victoria Inc. NewsLetter Page 2