Australia: Commit to Community Radio Campaign

The CBAA has launched the 'Commit to Community Radio' campaign to highlight the need for adequate ongoing funding support for our initial digital community radio services and a commitment from the Federal Government to a digital future for community radio.

The future of free-to-air broadcasting is digital - but for community radio stations, that future is now at risk.

Unless the Federal Government addresses a $1.4m funding shortfall in the upcoming budget to support current community digital radio services, many vital community services will have to be switched off.

CBAA President Adrian Basso says "Community radio plays an integral role in shaping a better and fairer Australia through its contribution to media diversity, local content and unique programs broadcast to more than a quarter of Australians every week. The public benefit our sector provides is immense yet the public purse outlay is very modest. Join our campaign and take action to help ensure our sector has a digital radio broadcasting future."

The Commit to Community Radio campaign calls on Senator Conroy and the Government to commit to a digital  future for community radio.

Community broadcasters should be entitled to affordable access to digital radio alongside the national and commercial radio sectors.

It's critical for the future of all community broadcasters that we maintain our current community digital radio services and are not left behind in a digital broadcasting future.

For more information and to join the Commit to Community Radio Campaign go to committocommunityradio.org.au

 (Source: Community Broadcasting Foundation Ltd, Australia)