SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012

News Update

Welcome to another edition of our regular news updates for 2012. This is an opportunity for volunteers and staff to catch up on what’s happening in Near. It is available via email, online and good old fashioned hard copy. Thanks to all the staff and volunteers who contributed to this edition . The Operations and Procedures Manual has been updated and is available online at near.ie The manual is a working document, designed to answer as many questions as possible for volunteers and staff, who are involved with Near Media Co Op. Don’t forget you can contact me ([email protected]) if you want to contribute to any edition of the newsletter.

Dave O Connor Staff Contact List Editor/Secretary Near Media Co Op Based at the Northside Civic Centre ( 8671190)

Radio Coordinator - [email protected]

Near Media Committee of Management Technical & Studio Issues - [email protected]

Vincent Teeling (Chair) Technology & Website - [email protected] Heidi Bedell (Vice Chair) Dave O’Connor (Secretary) Administration - [email protected] Peter Cunningham (Treasurer) Declan Cahill Overall Project Coordinator - [email protected] Deborah Gaffney Nell Fitzpatrick On-air promos & Schedules – [email protected] Bronwen Maher Stephen Blayds Based at the Development Centre (8485211) Shannette Budhai Intercultural Co Ordinator – [email protected]

Would you like us to broadcast from your Promotions – [email protected] (Niall Mc Guinness) premises? IT Admin/Training – [email protected] Nearfm are always looking for new venues to broadcast from. If you have something to highlight Productions and Specialist Training - [email protected] in your organisation and would like near to cover it, get in touch with [email protected] , Outreach, Introductory Training & OBs - 01.8485211. [email protected]

TV Coordinator - [email protected]

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012

So- who’s presenting ?

During the week of 7th July one of our volunteers Dr Sue O’Neill conducted an exercise in analysing presenters on air during that particular week. The results were compared to a similar exercise conducted in 2003. The key findings were :

The number of women presenting has increased (+ 8%) The number of non-irish has increased (+ 5%) The number of young people is not increasing and is almost static. 15 former staff are now volunteers. 96% of those on air that week were volunteers. 70% of those on air that week were from our licenced Remember the Grove – every second friday night on catchment area. Nearfm The number of those on air that week from 17 was very low.

While the analysis is only a snapshot of that particular week, the Committee of Management has agreed to look at how this data can be used for future development of Near fm.

Random Notes Radio Show broadcasts every second Wednesday on Near 90.3fm between 9pm-10.30pm. It is presented by Richard Moloney. I play a wide selection of

music and sound from across the spectrum. Listen via www.nearfm.ie/livestream & webcam. Contact me at [email protected]. Dates for upcoming shows are 31st of October, 14th and 28th November plus 12th and 26th December 2012.

I hope that you can tune in.- Richard

Bank Holiday Monday 29th October

8am Dave O’ Connor 10am Liam Byrne Noon Joseph Keegan RANDOM NOTES – EVERY 2pm John Healy SECOND WEDNESDAY FROM 9 4pm Richard Maloney 5.30pm Mairead Holt – 10.30PM 6pm Andy Flannery 7pm Dermot Brangan 7.45pm Dublin Senior Football Championship Final Ballymun Kickhams vs Kilmacud Crokes 10pm Tony Fitzsimons

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012

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 reason, and incorrect adjustments can lead to transmitter over modulation, which can be costly.

Studio Rules

The Red Light on means don’t enter!! Studio duty personnel may need to enter in certain circumstances.

Headphones – Use them. ! You can’t monitor your voice and other output levels without them. Maybe, you’re not being heard? You’ll never know, without headphones.

Guest Microphones – Monitor their levels. Are you using the right fader? Remember to use prefade listen beforehand.

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

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012

A few Do’s and Don’ts for radio

 Consider using social media (Facebook, Twitter, Blog etc) for your programme. Ask the webmaster ([email protected]) to link your site to www.near.ie

 Use the station IDs (jingles). Don’t feel you have to speak after every song

 Arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of your programme

Nearfms Noel Mc Guinness talks to President Higgins  Don’t run on-air competitions. Near at the Open Day Media has an anti-competitive policy. Just give it away!!

 Give as much notice as possible if you are going to be absent from your programme.

 If you’re not sure how to use any of the equipment, ask!!

 Don’t become a poor imitation of commercial radio. Try to be yourself.

 Try and become part of a programme team.

 Consider taking a break from time to time. This refreshes your batteries and gives someone else an opportunity to Nearfm and NearTv combined to produce live radio and present a programme. TV for this years Culture Night.  Nearfm doesn’t have Ad breaks, so don’t say - “ and now the Ads”. We have promo breaks and some local Keep the 21st December free in your businesses donate money in return diary for the Near Media Co-op for a regular scripted on-air mention. Just refer to the ‘break’ or ‘station Christmas Party which will take announcements’, or even ‘promo

break’. place this year at The Chanel in

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

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012

The Grove Show Have you ever been listening to the radio or a CD and a song comes on you recognise and say “Thats a Grove song” or “they use to play that in The Grove” and it brings back memories of being a teenager. Well now here on NearFM 90.3 you can listen and relive those Groves memories with music and guests who are former members every second Friday night on The Grove Show between 10-11:30pm hosted Peter Gaynor and Lynne Kavanagh.

The Grove celebrates 45yrs this year since it opened in February 1967 in Belgrove Football club on Mount Prospect Avenue in Clontarf until 1975 and then moved to St Pauls College in in 1975 after a fire engulfed the original venue. Over the years The Grove played different genre of music over the years from Blues, R&B, Rock, Prog Rock, Heavy Metal, Glam Rock, New Wave and Punk, Goth music etc. Since 2004 former Grove member Andy Colbert has been successfully running The Grove reunions with original DJ Cecil Nolan as a Out and about across our community this summer special guest. These reunions are held once a year and sometime twice.

Tune in every second Friday night and you can also join and chat and banter with other former members on our Facebook Group page during The Grove Show on the web address below https://www.facebook.com/groups/thegroveshow/ We are always looking for guest to come into the Studio for a chat and play your favourite songs from The Grove contact us on [email protected]

Peter and Lynne

1 Hour As Gaeilge Monday’s “Ar Muin na Muice” is now 1 hour long (5.30pm – 6.30pm) with thanks to Mairead Holt. Beir Bua! DID YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE 1787 LIKES ON The Brief Nearfm’s legal affairs programme has returned. Join FACEBOOK.COM/NEARFM Andrew Robinson every Thursday at 7pm.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012

Who’s on Twitter? Are you?

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

If you want to join our network send a tweet to @nearfm

and we’ll follow you too.

Use the hash tags #nearfm #neartv #community radio and we might even start a trend!!

Near.ie has attracted 4,373 visitors since its re launch. There are 1,000 audio downloads available at www.nearpodcast.org, with 100,000 downloads since it was launched.

And on twitter @nearfm has 732 followers while @neartv 180 followers-

Neartv are starting to get busy again after the flood in the office. There are a number of programmes in production - a Pet Show Series with Kinsealy Pet store, an unusual quiz show and a film review show. Please keep an eye on our website for these - www.neartv.ie

Culture Night TV Culture Night TV was a create success. Neartv broadcast live from the DCTV shopfront studio in Temple Bar for 3 hours. There was also a live link to a second location at the end of Cow’s Lane. It was a very exciting project as it was the first time to go live in this way. The show was presented by Noel McGuinness, Rebecca Bloomfield and Stephen Blayds. You can watch pre-recorded videos on the Neartv website www.neartv.ie, the footage from the live shows will be up there in the coming days.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012

A big welcome to our new volunteers! 17 people took part at our last radio induction training in October and we already have received a couple of applications and are looking forward to hear new voices in the near future!

Recent Outside Broadcasts with nearfm: OB from the MIC project, September 12th. Celebration of their 10th anniversary, part four of our series ‘Summer in the Suburbs’. Live Broadcast from Darndale where we interviewed local community groups, former students from the MIC project, local Councillors and President Michael D. Higgins

Upcoming Outside Broadcasts: Open Day at Suimhneas Clubhouse: In December we will be at the Suimhneas Clubhouse to mark their Open Day on Wednesday 5th. http://www.suaimhneasclubhouse.com/. Come over and say hello if you are near by! A BIG WELCOME TO OUR

NEW VOLUNTEERS

Dates to Remember November 9 International Day against Facism and anti-Semitism November 20 Transgender Day of Remembrance November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women November 25-December 10 16 Days Campaign for the Elimination of Violence against Women December 1 World AIDS Day December 10 Human Rights Day December 18 International Migrants Day

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012

Media Training work shops

Nearfm runs media training for individuals and organisations. If you’d like to get more confident in how to get your message across please get in touch with Dorothee at 01.8485211, [email protected]. This is just one sample workshop we run for a group of 4 to 8 participants over a half day: Media Training : ‘How to represent your organisation on air and how to get your message across’, a presentation of some theoretical background combined with an informal and interactive workshop. Suitable for:  Spokes people/ communications officer of community organisations who would like to be interviewed on nearfm Northside Today – Every Weekday from 11-1 on Near  Organisations whose service users represent the fm organisation and give interviews on their personal experience with the organisations  Any individual who would like to gain more confidence in getting his/her message across and who would like to be interviewed on nearfm

Content: A mix of some theoretical background (community media, media literacy) and an informal and interactive workshop where we record interviews and look at a way to work together.

Basic Computer Training Courses We'll have a batch of new basic computer training courses starting in November. If you or anyone you know might be interested in learning the basics of using email, the internet etc. then please get in contact with Ebele at 8485211 or [email protected].

Surgery Dot Com - Ugandan surgeons learning online The OB van – Contact [email protected] if you want it from Ireland in your area or at your event Near volunteer Niamh Griffan is putting the finishing touches to a new radio documentary series about Surgery in Uganda, funded by the Simon Cumbers Media Fund. The documentary is part of a project including a story for MEDIA AND IT TRAINING The Irish Times. The three part series will be broadcast on Tuesday 13th, COURSES – NOW AVAILABLE th th 20 & 27 November @ 6pm and will also feature a guest from Uganda live in studio.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012

Shareholding Membership of near media co-op

Your organisation can become a shareholding member of near media co-op. That’s right; your organisation can own a community media project that includes a radio station, TV production facility and a community IT training facility.

Near Media Co-Op owns and operates Nearfm, Near TV Productions and Near Online. Your group may have already been interviewed on Nearfm or taken part in one of our Radio or TV programmes. Would you like to do more, and become more involved? Are you interested in supporting the ideals of community media?

You’ll probably find that our organisation is very much like yours in structure. Our organisation relies on over Listen out for Surgery.com during November on Nearfm. one hundred volunteers, supported by some paid Photo by Daudi Ssebaggala, from SDS Productions, members of staff to make and develop community Uganda media each week. Our Committee of Management is entirely voluntary. We are supported by FÁS, CDVEC, Pobal and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

So in essence the benefits of becoming a shareholder are:  entitled to use the media to promote your organisation's activities and achievements  entitled to reduced rate of training in how to do this, and how to make radio and tv programmes and to broadcast them  entitled to reduced rate of training in digital skills  entitlement to take part and vote at AGMs and to become a member of the committee of management

Of course if you would simply like to support the Co-Op and occasionally use our services, you can still become a shareholder and do that. Dublin South FM volunteers Aoibhinn & Ian interview a guest on radio Culture Night If you have more questions and would like to become a shareholder, please contact our Outreach Coordinator, Nearfm supplied the radio feed to a number of Dorothee Meyer-Holtkamp at 8485211 or Community Radio stations across Dublin on the night. [email protected].

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012

Members of the Near Dr ama Company are drawing their collective breath following a frenetic period of activity. Two Sound & Vision radio drama projects were completed: - ‘Rivitin History’ by Pat Meehan – a two episode project taking a satirical look at Irish history. - ‘The Kay Farrell Trilogy’ – a tribute to Kat Farrell, a founding member of Near Drama Company. The three radio plays were written by local playwrights:  ‘Twin Candles’ by Henry Hudson  ‘The Hanging Gardiner of Ballymun’ by Jack Byrne  ‘Graduation’ by Denis Byrne Many people took part in these projects. ‘Rivitin History’ - Joe Murphy, Ann Loughney, Con Scully, Fran Keogh, Declan Cahill, Mary Flynn, Michael Sharp, Mick Barry, Alice Moloney and Beamie Community media left out of Saorview Sheahan. Soarview may be an advancement in digital ‘Twin Candles’ – Mary McNamara and Liza Deegan technology, but there is no gain for ‘The Hanging Gardiner of Ballymun’ – Michael Sharp, community television, as Dublin Community Fran Keogh, Ann Loughney, con Scully, Tom Byrne, Television DCTV has been left out. Imagine John O’Connor, Mary Flynn, Joe Murphy, Mick Barry, if/when the new digital radio service is Sally Galliana, Alan Braddish and Sarah McLoughlin. introduced in 2015 and there was no room ‘Graduation’ – Tom Blake, Joe Murphy, Anne Walshe for Nearfm, well this is similar to what has and Ursula Blake. happened to community tv. DCTV applied While all these actors strutted their stuff, Gavin Byrne, Deborah Gaffney and Declan Cahill cowered in the to the Broadcasting Authority with our control room! partner station in Belfast, and the Authority Seriously, a special word of thanks must go to Gavin recommended to the minister that they for his Trojan work during the post-production and would be well capable of running a station editing phase of both projects. on saorview. However this was ignored by The official launch of these projects will be on the minister for communications, Pat Wednesday, 7 November, at 7.30pm in Conference Rabbitte. We are campaigning and we hope Room 1, Northside Civic Centre – all are welcome. to speak to the minister soon. So tell your We would be delighted if you could attend and local TDs and councillors that community circulate the invite to your contacts! Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP by media doesn’t intend to be left behind in the Friday November 2nd to [email protected] digital revolution. www.neartv.ie www.dctv.ie What is next in the pipeline? - Another radio drama application has been Communicating Europe 3 made to the next round of Sound & Vision Fund, BAI, I would like to acknowledge Paul Ignacio Irigoien is currently producing a 7 Loughran for his immense work in pulling it part series on Ireland’s upcoming all together at very short notice. presidency of the EU beginning Jan 2013. - We plan to complete and arrange the The series will broadcast in December 2012 broadcast of two other radio plays, which before we take over the presidency and will were recorded ages ago but had to wait in feature interviews with all the main political the wings until all the S&V drama projects parties on how they feel Ireland can make were completed. the most of the EU presidency. There will - We will present another a ‘Curtain Up’ also be a programme on the current Christmas Special on 'Wednesday, 19 December, between 8.00-9.00 pm' with the presidency holders Cyprus and how they help of our loyal supporter, George Mulcahy, used their time as EU presidents. Keep an on the sound desk. eye on www.near.ie for the dates and times Phew! We will a holiday after all that!!! of this series. This series is funded by Communicating Declan Cahill Near Drama Co-ordinator Europe a Department of the Taoiseach initiative.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012

The Grand Social was the venue for the launch of Near th Musical Express on 12 October last. On entering the venue there was no doubt as to the event that was taking place as the place was bedecked with posters, banners, projections and even innovative chalk art informing the attendees of the latest string to the bow of the Near Media Co-op. Unfortunately, much of the chalk ended up on the jacket of the reviewer but sure it all washes off.

The music was excellent from the get-go with Axiel Symmetry kicking things off with their hard rock riffs. Axiel have a resonance that would challenge any sound system but the Grand Social and the Near Records production team rose to the occasion. Band 66 followed up and entertained the very healthy crowd with their laid back pop style. They were followed up by Johnny and the Beep Beeps who’s antics would have any audience up on their feet. Indeed Johnny (real name Pierce) spends more time among the revellers in the venue than he does with his band on stage – real crowd pleaser. Check out the Beep Beep’s track “Hoosh” from the cd (which I presume all readers have added to their collection by this stage!) The Rattling Kind were next with their trad rock technique and played some epic tunes. They even debuted some brilliant Out now on Near Records – new music. Finally, rounding off the night we had The Statics. With their jingle jangle and beautiful harmonies they Near Musical Express could pass for a modern day Byrds.

The Grand Social was buzzing and the evening was memorable. Ireland might have lost a soccer international 6-1 on the night, but Near Records definitely won 10-0. And it takes a lot to please a Treasurer!

On behalf of the Committee of Management, I’d like to heartily congratulate Near Records on what is a super production which is already extremely well received. This new venture meets many of the goals of the ethos of our co-op. We are giving exposure to and providing a platform for the superb talent that exists in our area. Along with that we are offering great music and real entertainment. All those who deserve congratulations are given credit on the cd, but I will simply single out Alan Weldon (or Well-Done) and deservedly acknowledge the massive amount of work he got through to make this idea into a reality. Alan and the crew he gathered around him didn’t just do the job – they did it in style. Near Records is up and running.

Peter Cunningham

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012

In early October, participants from the 3rd intercultural training course received their FETAC results. Congratulations to Nalini, Ecaterina, Lawrence, Luis, Malika, Bronagh, Leah, Claire and Deirdre on their 9 distinctions! Their stellar achievements are well deserved.

Last Friday the newest group of intercultural project trainees finished training. They are currently handing in their final assignments for their FETAC Level 4 in community radio and intercultural media literacy. The course ended with a special session, requested by participants, on multi-track editing for documentary-making.

Culture Shots series 3 is currently being broadcast every Monday from 6.30 – 7 pm. Programmes have built on the work of the previous 2 series by taking greater risks and defining culture in new ways. So far shows have focused on topics such as representations of the Libyan the Civil War as seen through 2 different media projects, a day at the Dublin Mela: festival of South Asian culture, a retrospective programme on the series launch event last June, exploring Nalini Dennis interviews former participant Evans migrant political integration through a new project “Opening Shirihuru and TD Maureen O’Sullivan about their Power to Diversity,” celebrating the International Day of experiences working together through the Peace, sharing poems from across the globe to mark World migrant political integration scheme, Opening Poetry Day, and hearing from migrant women as they speak Power to Diversity. Thanks to participant Leah about the additional barriers faced when leaving situations of domestic violence. In September, intercultural project Carroll for this wonderful photo! participants took part in, and assisted with facilitating, a workshop called “Dublin Today – listening to the voices and experiences of migrants.” Look out for an upcoming programme sharing learning from this event.

Beginning in Late August, Newstalk’s Global Village has been broadcasting weekly segments featuring interviews with Culture Shots participants as well as clips from the show. Listen in Saturdays from 7-9 pm to learn more about the people behind Culture Shots as Dil Wickremashinghe explores participants’ personal stories and asks what changes to the media they hope to bring about through their work on Culture Shots.

All Culture Shots programmes can be heard at: www.nearpodcast.org/cultureshots To date Culture Shots programmes have received over 4,000 podcast hits.

You can tune in to Culture Shots on 90.3 fm or live stream at www.near.ie each week, Mondays from 6.30 to 7. Weekly Deirdre, Bronagh, Ecaterina and Nalini pictured updates on the progress of the Intercultural Project, including during training. All trainees received distinctions interviews with our newest participants, are featured on for their FETAC course work. Northside Today with Noel McGuinness Fridays at 11.45 am.

This project is co-financed by the European Commission under the European Integration Fund and is supported by “CULTURE SHOTS – EVERY the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration in the Department of Justice and Equality and Pobal. MONDAY AT 6.30PM ON NEARFM 90.3 AND NEAR.IE

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012

Near FM were successful with all 3 of their applications to Sound & Vision round 15. Congratulations to Sally Galiana, Dave O’Connor and Gareth Stack who have had projects approved for funding in the latest round of Sound and Vision results. These projects are Reading Together, The Jomac Show and Been there, Seen there.

Sound & Vision projects currently in production are Lets Celebrate, Not for the Money, CRC Talks 3, Return to the Pine Trees, Story?, Lovers of Life, The Frank Harte Festival, This Sporting Life and The Harkangels. We wish all the respective production teams the best of luck with their projects.

Near FM also submitted 12 new applications for S&V

Round 16; results are expected back in late December. Ideas for round 17 & 18 are now being welcomed, contact

[email protected]

Edd Kealy and the sports team are currently producing and broadcasting the 30 part radio series This Sporting Life. Every Saturday @ 3.30pm you can catch a superb 15 minute documentary of a minority sport which is played on Northside Dublin. To listen back to the sports featured so far please visit http://nearfm.ie/this-sporting-life/

Radio Culture Night 2012 – 2014 Near FM were delighted to spearhead a live broadcast from Culture Night collaborating with our colleagues in Dublin South FM, West Dublin Access Radio, Phoenix FM and Raidio Na Life. Community radio took over the airwaves of Dublin bringing arts & culture to the homes of listeners in Coolock, Blanchardstown, Ballyfermot and Dun Laoghaire.

Broadcasting from the Project Arts Centre in the heart of Temple Bar, the four hour programme featured artists, musicians, actors, writers and museum and gallery curators to showcase the best of what Culture Night had to offer in 2012. As well as studio content there was roving reporters and pre-recorded items.

Radio Culture Night is supported by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland’s Sound and Vision Fund www.bai.ie and we will be back in 2013 to do it all again!

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012

The radio programme section of the website continues to grow with more and more near fm shows being added http://nearfm.ie/category/programmes/

If you'd like to have your programme featured here then contact gavin at [email protected] and we can make you up a section and if you are already using mixcloud or the podcast to distribute your programme online we can link that in there as well.

And remember if you have anything interesting coming up on your programme then be sure to let us know so we can promote it on the website, facebook and twitter.

Scibernia up for an Irish Web Award

Our science programme is a finalist in the Irish Web Awards this year in the podcast category. The winners will be announced on the 1st of November in the Mansion House, so wish us luck. You can hear Scibernia each Thursday at 6.30, and we'll soon be broadcasting on Flirt FM in Galway as well.

.

Got something to say?

The Newsletter is published every two months. Email [email protected] with your contribution.

WWW.NEARPODCAST.ORG

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012

Community Radio Around the World

AMARC -Europe Public Forum Proposal - Public Policies and Media Pluralism

The Future of Community Radio in Central and East Europe.

Budapest 12-13 November 2012 The community media sector is a diverse sector that operates differently across the EU. While the sector shows significant activity in some Member States, it barely exists in others. In the past two decades the third audio visual sector has experienced more support from governments in North- Western European countries than in Central and East Europe. In many of the countries that today comprise the so called new EU Member States, the sector has experienced a slightly different history. Following the transition of most of these countries to embrace democratic governance, many media laws were reformed but in many of these countries, the community media sector is completely non-existent , while in some others restrictions and unclear regulations are limiting its development. The lack of clear definitions and guidelines for community media can lead to confusion and a non genuine pluralist ic media landscape, which should be based on the presence of all, public, commercial and community media broadcasters. Next to the lack of specific laws, there is also a lack of underlying regulations regarding

CM. The existence of transparent processes and evaluation criteria to award and manage CM’s access to radio spectrum, for example, varies throughout the EU and while some Member State’s take directly CM into account in their regulatory framework (eg: Slovenia), most media regulators in Central and East Europe have not yet implemented processes to distinguish a CM service from a local commercial media broadcaster.

The general objective of the International forum is to raise awareness, facilitate local interaction and empowerment processes leading to the reinforcement of dialogue and networking between local community broadcasters, National regulatory authorities, academics and policy makers in order to achieve a better comprehension of the various challenges related to the development of the community media sector in Central and Eastern Europe. The main challenge is to understand what regulatory authorities can do even in the absence of a clear legislative framework related to the community media development.

The UNESCO Chair on Community Media speaks about importance of community media. Recently, the UNESCO Chair on Community Media, Professor Vinod Pavarala spoke in Nicosia at an event organised by the Cyprus Community Media Centre in collaboration with the Nicosia Municipality.Professor Pavarala outlined the ways in which community media can work with local authorities as part of a mutually beneficial relationship. He also discusses the important role that community media plays in building strong and integrated communities. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m3LS8gaG90

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012

Community Radio from around Ireland

A recently published article has some valid points how Morecommunity from radio plays part in community development.

CONNEMARA COMMUNITY RADIO (CCR) is a community-based radio station broadcasting from Letterfrack in the North West Connemara area of Co. Galway since 1995. On air for 10 hours daily, it is possibly the smallest community radio station in Ireland serving a remote, yet large and sparsely populated rural franchise area. One of the main motivations behind CCR’s original establishment was that the radio station would promote community development in its franchise area (Day, 2007b; Heanue, 2002). Set against the literatures on community radio (Day, 2007a, b; Kanayama, 2007; Rennie,2006; Sánchez, 2003; Heanue, 2002; Girard, 1992) and community development (Tilly,2004; Moseley, 2003; Varley and Curtin, 2002; Lowe et al., 1998; Mannion, 1996; Curtin et al., 1991; Varley, 1991; Griffiths, 1974; Armstrong, 1971) this article uses a mixture of quantitative and qualitative data collected over the period 2000 to 2008 to analyse the community development aspects of this radio station.

Kevin P. Heanue, Aine Macken Walsh: Static Structures and Dynamic Processes of Participation and Access: a case study of Connemara community radio. PDF here: volume 13- 7 Heanue

Full volume available here: http://dit.ie/icr/currentandpastissues/