Archives: Autumn 2003

President's Pen

The First Casualty of War

Access and Generational Change

AERTP - A unique program under threat

Tips for better broadcasting

Autumn 2003: President's Pen

The 2002 NEMBC Conference, held in Adelaide in November, focused on improving participation in ethnic broadcasting amongst youth and emerging communities. Another focus was the continuation of the Australian Ethnic Radio Training Program (AERTP). These issues are shaping the NEMBC’s course in the immediate future.

As reported elsewhere in this issue of The Ethnic Broadcaster, the highlight of the conference was the presence, (the greatest ever at an NEMBC conference), and active participation of young people and delegates from new and emerging communities. That fifty percent of the delegates were women is an encouraging sign of change. The issue of increased youth involvement in ethnic community broadcasting has now largely passed the stage of discussion and debate and has entered the stage of practical implementation and the allocation of NEMBC and station resources to ensure tangible outcomes.

The next NEMBC Executive meeting will be held on 5 – 6 April. The Executive will discuss and act upon 2002 Conference proposals especially those regarding increased youth involvement. The Conference proposal to ensure greater involvement and representation by ethnic broadcasters in remote communities must also receive early consideration.

Work has begun on the Emerging and Refugee Communities Project, an 18-month project funded by the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA). Indira Narayan, an experienced trainer and broadcaster, is developing and implementing the project.

On the critical question of increased funding to the sector, the NEMBC continues to be active, within ethnic communities and in meetings with politicians and Government Ministers. Additional funding is essential to keep pace with ever escalating costs and sector expansion and is particularly required for the continuation of the Australian Ethnic Radio Training Program.

On the 17th February we met with the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Alston, to explain our position and press our case on funding issues. Although the Minister expressed interest in our position, he stressed that the Government’s priorities in this year’s budget are defence and security.

In this difficult and ethnically and racially divisive time it is imperative that ethnic community broadcasters be provided with more resources to maintain their moral and social support for the policy of multiculturalism and for harmonious relations between peoples and nations.

George Zangalis

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Autumn 2003: The First Casualty of War

Wartime Reporting and Ethnic Community Broadcasting

Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. Aldous Huxley

Radio is a powerful medium and in times of war provides one of the only forums available for ordinary people to express their opinions. As veteran Australian journalist John Pilger commented recently, “The quality of debate amongst the public has been high… but the media has not really contributed to the debate”. Apart from ‘Letters to the Editor’ and the valuable space for discussion radio provides, Pilger criticised the media’s level of debate surrounding the Iraq crisis as “poor, because so much space and time is channelling and echoing the official viewpoint.”

The primarily non-commercial nature of community broadcasting means that unlike most mainstream media, ethnic community broadcasters are in the more powerful position of informing their communities without the same pressure to conform to the wishes of advertisers and owners. The history of ethnic community radio has been one of comparative openness – to differing ideas and viewpoints - and most importantly access. The access it offers to ordinary people to participate in the dissemination of ideas and information and to access the power that the media has in our society.

This article looks at wartime reporting and the task broadcasters face over the coming months in recognising the propaganda generated by all sides of the conflict. It offers a guide to finding information from a multitude of alternative sources to present comprehensive and balanced programs.

'The first casualty when war comes, is truth,' said American Senator Hiram Johnson in 1917, and this seems truer now than ever as conflict rages in Iraq. In times of war, particularly unpopular wars, most governments seek to control public opinion by the careful manipulation of information provided by the media.

In wartime the media is often regarded, especially by the military, as a problem to be managed and various forms of censorship are applied. Free and open public discussion is restricted and dissent becomes ‘unpatriotic’.

Journalist and academic, Professor Jacqueline Sharkey, spoke to Radio National on the difficulty of accurate reporting in an age of spin-doctoring and tight controls over the media:

“...the Pentagon has learned that the more it controls information, and the more it prevents independent access to information on the battlefield, the more likely the Pentagon and the White House are to maintain public support for a military conflict…….it isn’t just the real time information that’s the problem, it’s history itself that’s the problem here, because if reporters are not allowed to even observe activities on the battlefield, even again if they can’t report them right away, then there’s no chance that the public will ever have an objective assessment on these military operations.”

Journalists in many countries, especially those working under dictatorships in countries such as Iraq are censored, often persecuted and sometimes murdered. Despite the popular expectation that functioning democracies require a strongly independent ‘watchdog’ press, in Western societies also there are efforts to stifle political debate and to limit the war correspondent's role as a seeker of truth.

Pool Coverage and Censorship by Access

Media commentators warn that due to military secrecy and government spin doctoring, reporters are being prevented from portraying a full and accurate picture of the conflict in Iraq. The main problem, as in the 1991 Gulf War, is obtaining real ‘on the ground’ access.

Most journalists covering the Iraq war are restricted to the ‘pool’ at Coalition Command Central in Qatar. During the Gulf War independent access to the battlefield by the media was discouraged also. Reporters were restricted to Riadh, Saudi Arabia. They were provided with footage and fed information during daily military briefings. The image and story starved news media then used this material, generally without independent verification.

As Professor Sharkey recalls “what you got was a lot of reporting that really was nothing more than kind of a show that the Pentagon would put on for the day. There was very little access to any kind of actual operations. And what this did of course was allow the Pentagon in their daily briefings in Washington and in Riad, to show these things like the gun camera footage that showed these unerring military strikes with these smart bombs, and it wasn’t until after the war that the press learned that only 8.8% of the bombs dropped on Iraq actually had precision guidance mechanisms and the rest of them were so-called dumb bombs. 72,000 tonnes of them, and no-one really knew what those things had hit.”


Where are the Australian Troops?

Australian reporters are experiencing difficulties in accessing Australian troops. Since troops left for the Gulf in late January there has been very little coverage in the Australian media, yet there has been extensive coverage both here and overseas of the operations of American and British troops. Considering the general opposition of the Australian public, demonstrated in recent peace marches around the country, to war and the commitment of Australian troops, this seems to be part of a political, not a military agenda.

The Minister for Defence, Senator Hill, claims he supports media access to Australian troops. Yet the news that a law firm, Clayton Utz, was hired by the Department of Defence to draw up strict agreements for journalists to sign prior to receiving accreditation to cover the war is an ominous sign. The military then told the Australian media 'all journalists intending to cover coalition operations must seek accreditation from US Central Command HQ in the Gulf'

‘Embedded’ journalists

Journalists from corporate media networks across the world have flocked to Kuwait to join ‘the pool’ and become ‘embedded’ in the U.S military – supposedly to see the war at first hand. Robert Fisk writes that they are likely to get “the kind of coverage that every reporter and every general wants: a few facts, good pictures and nothing dirty to make the viewers throw up on the breakfast table.”

In late February, 500 journalists began the pre-war training process that the U.S Department of Defence calls ‘embedding for life’. During the war they’re ‘embedded’ in military units and according to the US follow them “all the way to the victory parade”.

During the Gulf War the U.S. military called this process the ‘buddy-buddy’ relationship. It entails courses in chemical and biological warfare and other military training for journalists going to “the front”. At the same time CNN allowed Pentagon “trainees” into their newsroom.
Foreign journalists in Iraq work under strict supervision from Iraqi intelligence with constant threats of expulsion, restricted freedom of movement and access to information. Rejecting the relative safety of ‘embedding’, many journalists in Iraq are braving the dangers of warfare, providing us with the only independent Western footage from inside Iraq. Non-embedded journalists will be essential when the story shifts to that of post-war Iraq. Arab media organisations such as Al-Jazeera also provide independent news from inside Iraq.
Self-censorship and ‘Script Approval’
Journalists practice forms of self-censorship essential to maintaining a career in the mainstream media and know that asking the ‘right’ questions is as important as learning never to ask the ‘wrong’ ones. Government and military briefings are usually scripted in terms of both the questions asked and answers given. So called ‘Gatekeepers’ (editors, owners) in the media determine what is news and all journalists know what their employers expect of them.

CNN, having introduced a new anti-journalistic system of ‘Script Approval’ in time for the invasion of Iraq, has taken ‘editorial control’ to new heights. This policy means that all journalists working outside the U.S. must submit their scripts (or copy) to head-office in Atlanta for approval.

Trevor Bormann, a former Gulf War reporter now reporting in Baghdad for the ABC’s Foreign Correspondent, understands the propaganda push better than most. As he told Radio National “Clearly the challenge for the Pentagon and indeed the government of the United States is to win the media war, because this time they can’t claim the high moral ground, public opinion seems to be against them in this war. So that will make their challenge ever more important to win over hearts and minds and the media is the device by which they will do that.”

Independent Media and the Search for Alternative Truths

There is a one fundamental difference between the 1991 Gulf War and today and that is the phenomenal rise of the Internet accompanied by a worldwide explosion of alternative and independent news sources. Ethnic community radio is an integral part of this proliferation of alternative voices and information sources.

Ethnic broadcasters in Australia will be well aware of the possibilities the Internet offers to users who wish to cast “their net far wider as they search for explanation and context”. When sourcing content for news and current affairs, entertainment and music for their programmes, the Internet is a revolutionary and inexpensive tool for broadcasters to utilise.

It is just as important for community broadcasters to research and draw material from widely varying sources as it is to question the official line, and the depth of knowledge the Internet offers is mind-boggling. The propaganda push becomes problematic when broadcasters and media consumers can easily access a multitude of viewpoints. The power of the Internet lies in its immediacy and accessibility.

We are living in a unique time in history – a time where people need not exist as isolated and powerless spectators informed by a corporate mass media. A time where they can seek out knowledge and connect with people around the world on a scale unimaginable even 10 years ago. A time where ordinary Australians can express a multitude of views and encourage open debate within their communities by accessing the thriving medium of community radio.

Adam Porter, founder of YearZero, a ‘disobedient’ Internet based UK current affairs quarterly, envisions “…an alternative news network that will eventually rival traditional media. 'It's really patronising to assume, as the mainstream media often does,' he says, 'that ordinary people don't talk about Iraq, asylum or economics down the pub. You can go all around the world and find similar things and it's the web that's bringing them together.'

Celebrating Diversity and Promoting Peace

Ethnic broadcasters have the right, along with every other Australian, to freedom of speech - to question and discuss openly government policies, both domestic and foreign. They also have the responsibility to abide by Australian broadcasting laws. When providing current affairs and news they have the added responsibility, like all journalists, to be fair and unbiased, to research thoroughly and to present many different opinions and points of view. In wartime these rights and responsibilities become especially important as tensions and fears rise within the community.

It is important overseas news and current affairs are not just recycled for ethnic radio listeners. This is where the NEMBC’s Ethnic News Digest is an indispensable service as it’s designed to help broadcasters cover Australian news and current affairs stories on their programs, in addition to their coverage of local community and overseas news.

Australia is physically an island but culturally and intellectually will never be. Ethnic broadcasters are uniquely placed both to assist their communities in maintaining contact with their countries of origin and in cultivating worldwide links with alternative media organisations.

Over the coming months coverage of the Iraq conflict and its aftermath need not only focus on conflict and violence – wartime broadcasting should also be about peace. The massive peace movement growing around the world relies on the work of ordinary people - to talk about it in their communities and in the media. Interview people in your community about their work towards peace, and give space in your programs to ideas and opinions that counter war.

Above all stay true to the proud history within ethnic broadcasting of furthering multiculturalism and promoting understanding and harmony between communities.

Rebekah Pasqualini

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Autumn 2003: Access and Generational Change

Firstly I wish to acknowledge the land on which we meet is Kaurna land.

I have been invited to speak with you today about strategies that increase involvement from young people. I can only offer strategies that relate to my own fields of practice - that I believe may also relate to your field of practice - which is the extraordinary medium of radio. So please accept this offering today as that, and coming from a listener and interviewee of community radio, rather than a seasoned producer and presenter.

Although I must say every time I get to a radio mike a part of me always wishes I could learn so much more about this medium - I just love it!

In providing strategies I would like to share with you my own personal experiences as a younger Australian and child of migration - experiences that have led me to strongly support the current themes of this conference - Our Future: Access and Generational Change.

Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with diverse communities, and in addition to my own Italian community in South Australia, and to a certain extent interstate and overseas. This has provided me with a valuable insight as a young woman into the 'workings' of my own post World War ll migrant community.

I have had the opportunity to meet with people of diverse generations and have sat through many committee meetings. In the past these meetings have often led to discussions about the lack of youth participation and intergenerational dialogue in cultural and community activities. I have heard over recurring periods of time statements such as:

'We tried to involve young people but there aren't any.'

'We tried to involve young people but they don’t want to come.'

'They don't speak the language.'

'Their musical tastes are different to ours.'

I have specifically seen this occur in some community club environments - a 'space of belonging' created for and by the community at a particular period in time and which now struggles to gain the attendance of young people of that culture.

I see community radio as another vital 'space' for community and cultural belonging. Given that culture is constantly changing it really is essential that all these community spaces need to challenge their own notion of existence in order to endure and evolve over time.

These spaces are incredibly vital … intimate … at times a lifeline to one's identity … and should never be underestimated.

So this leads me to reflect on the purpose of this medium…

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY RADIO?

I acknowledge that you can all answer this question much better than I can.

What excites me is the role community radio has as a means of public civic participation.

Radio is an extraordinary tool - it keeps sustaining itself. Over 99 % of people own a radio - we wake up to it in the morning, have breakfast with it, go to bed with it, drive with it and jog with it. It is such an intimate communication tool and also a form of empowerment, entertainment and education. It is a companion - it has sustained itself because of the pure need that people have to communicate. It has provided the opportunity for people to hear and converse in their own languages from the privacy of their own homes to the public realms of our communities. It has played a part in shaping our world and the way we interact with it.

SO AS PRODUCERS AND BROKERS OF THIS MEDIUM I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU: WHAT WORLD DO YOU WANT TO CREATE?

What world do we want to create now … starting right now?

AND In shaping a new vision what is the role of the elders?

Who will be the new protagonists to build on this future vision?

I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER SOME STRATEGIES THAT I BELIEVE ARE ESSENTIAL IN CREATING NEW PATHWAYS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUNG PEOPLE:

1. Active participation and representation in the decision making process - in developing policies, content, production and marketing.

I have been attending a seminar over the past week presented by the Australian Institute of Company Directors entitled 'Board Women'. I was fortunate enough to be offered a scholarship to attend this seminar, whose main aim was to 'draw' women of diverse generations and diverse cultures 'out of the woodwork' as potential or current board members - decision makers.

In an article about the seminar in Wednesday's The Advertiser it stated:

'Social and cultural diversity was as important to producing balanced boards as getting more women (and youth) involved … Alternative points of view and a wider range of experiences and skills made for stronger and effective boards … Younger people have different ways of looking at an organisation's performance than people of more mature years … Diversity provides a check and balance to ask different questions … and make the right decision for the business or organisation.'

This quote is just as relevant to community radio stations and their committees/boards. In addition, it is vital that we go beyond the notion of a single youth representative on committees. Generational diversity needs to be equally represented, as a means of democratic process and smart business.

If community radio stations want to increase their listener base then they have to look at the future - the youth of various cultures. They then need to bring youth into the decision making process - so that young people can be part of decisions about producing content for programs and also marketing the programs.

2. How to activate generational change?

I believe we have come to a point in our history, where elected committees now have the responsibility to consider the next phase, and to consider the following:

How do we create the space for the elders to feel at ease - when the time has come - to let go?
How do we create the space for community elders to be acknowledged for the vital work they have done in establishing and maintaining a viable space for communication, education and empowerment?
How does a handover occur that acknowledges the past (in all its successes and failures) whilst generating a vibrant space for the new (and allowing for all its successes and failures)?

3. Young people are key players in the revitalisation of culture and a link to their global diaspora.

Do we see our communities as part of a growing global diaspora - an abundant resource of networks and content for stories just waiting to be tapped?
Is it the role of radio to promote cultural revitalisation with second and third generation Australians?
Is it the role of radio to create other spaces for international intercultural exchange programs with young people of their diaspora?

These new diaspora are part of a growing multicultural, multilingual Australia. They are perfectly positioned to be a key resource a key resource in the establishment of vibrant and exciting global dialogues for community radio.

What role can the NEMBC play in developing opportunities for international intercultural exchange programs for young people? For example, can the NEMBC partner with other similar community radio bodies across the world to establish international professional development exchanges for young radio producers / presenters?

I see culturally diverse young people as an incredible global resource. In 2000 I attended a conference in Rome where the Italian government brought together young people from all over the world. It was an incredibly opportunity for us to meet each other, make links culturally and professionally. These international opportunities provide valuable cultural content for youth programming and foster important networks that are relevant to them. They also allow the stories of migration to be brought to other audiences in diverse ways.

How wonderful would it be to have scholarships / professional development opportunities, established through private, community and government partnerships, where young people of a particular diaspora were given the chance to meet other young people of their diaspora across the world, with the aim of developing content together, etc? In certain circumstances, young people would need to learn the language, or improve existing language skills, as a means of communication.

Perhaps this type of dialogue can commence with on line streaming projects, the Internet is the perfect space for young people from all over the world to communicate and learn. I am told that in particular the Vietnamese community is quite active in this area. Stations might act as a source of funding and professional development for fostering these global relationships amongst youth - a pilot project along these lines would be a wonderful way to encourage youth participation and engagement.

I believe that community radio is at an important cross roads in time, and look forward to an exciting future.

I wish to thank you once again for inviting me here today and would welcome a continued dialogue on strategies for a future that leads to access and generational change.

Serafina Maiorano

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Autumn 2003: AERTP - A unique program under threat

Over the last ten years the Australian Ethnic Radio Training Project (AERTP) has trained over 3000 ethnic community broadcasters in radio skills. 23,000 modules of training have been delivered to participants from 82 different language groups. Community groups as diverse as Tamil and Turkish, Hmong and Hungarian, Cantonese and Croatian have benefited from the high level training their broadcasters have received.

The AERTP is a unique program developed from scratch to specifically cater to the training needs of ethnic community broadcasters. Continually refined over a decade, the AERTP is not a rehash of training developed for English speaking broadcasters in the commercial or national broadcasting sectors.

AERTP courses are fully accredited and aligned to the national training package and yet they are incredibly cost-effective. The Australian National Training Authority’s Annual Report states that “in 2000, the average national cost of providing one hour of training was $12.70”. The average hourly cost of AERTP training is half of that, at $6.50 per hour, or $250,000 a year. Despite the success and cost-effectiveness of the AERTP continued funding is still in doubt.

Volunteers are the heart and soul of community broadcasting, They come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Most have had no previous experience in broadcasting. The training offered by the AERTP has been a critical factor in the ever-increasing quality and consistency of the work of volunteer presenters in our sector.

It has been suggested that the AERTP should move to a user pays basis that volunteers who already donate their time and energy to the service of their community should pay for the privilege. This would be a huge backwards step for ethnic community broadcasting. It would seriously affect the ability of broadcasters from new and emerging communities, as well as young people and women, to get on air and raise their broadcasting skills.

While the Federal Government acknowledges the value of the AERTP it has not yet agreed to continue funding the service. We have had courteous hearings from the Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Mr. Hardgrave, and the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Alston. To date however neither has been prepared to commit funds to the AERTP.

The response has been that funding is not assured and that defence and security are high priorities on the funding agenda. We understand that, but suggest that perhaps the government’s concept of security is too narrow.

Multiculturalism has been very successful in Australia – ours has been a peaceful and comparatively tolerant society in recent years. Ethnic community broadcasting has been a powerful force in promoting understanding and harmony between different communities. With the threat of war in Iraq and with the reality of terrorist attacks in New York and Bali, tensions are rising. Promoting harmony and understanding is not simply a matter of multiculturalism – it is also a matter of security. A narrow focus on the military, the police and intelligence underestimates our real security needs.

As George Zangalis points out in his letter to the Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the AERTP has played a major role in breaking down racial prejudice in the media. At this critical time there is no logic in cutting short this successful program.

At a recent strategy meeting of the National Ethnic Radio Training Taskforce (NERTT) strong support was expressed for the continued funding of the AERTP. Chaired by Professor Mary Kalantzis, Dean of Education at RMIT University, and including representatives from the SBS, the ABC and the training sector, the NERTT has reaffirmed its support for the AERTP. NERTT members will work with the NEMBC over the coming months to ensure that the AERTP continues to skill and empower the next generation of ethnic community broadcasters.

Darce Cassidy

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Autumn 2003: Tips for better broadcasting

This is an edited version of a presentation Maureen delivered at the 2002 NEMBC Conference.

Access to the airwaves is a privilege and brings with it responsibilities. For ethnic community broadcasters the main responsibility is to make programs that serve their community.

Many volunteer broadcasters have been producing regular programs for 10 or more years, others are just starting out. Whatever your level of experience, it never hurts to take time to reflect on your programs and try and make them that little bit better, by doing so you will be serving your community better.

Here are a few tips for better broadcasting:

1. Know your audience.

Ethnic broadcasters do tend to know their audience better than most radio broadcasters. You are likely to meet with people who listen to your program and you may be a member of cultural and social organizations, so you do get to know part of your audience first hand. But is that really the full picture?

Do you know the total population of your group? Are they all young or older or a mix? How many migrated in the 50’s and 60’s and how many are newly arrived? What about 2nd and 3rd generations, do you consider they are part of your audience?

The ABS and other organisations such as migrant resource centers can help with this information. Gather as much information as you can so you are equipped with the knowledge of the real size of your potential audience.

With this knowledge you are in the unique and responsible position of being able to serve this audience.

2. Serve your audience:

Once you have gathered some information on your community, take a close look at your program and ask yourself if it has something for everyone and truly reflects the needs of the community? If the answer is yes -congratulations! If not, think about ways to start introducing new segments into the program that will fill in the gaps.

A good way to start is by aiming to change just 5 minutes of your program. In those 5 minutes you could introduce a new segment for newly arrived migrants, a segment in English for 2nd and 3rd generation members of your community or get a young person in to present a short piece.

With gradual change you are able to keep your old audience, while also appealing to new listeners.




3. Get it right in the Studio.

Being a volunteer does not excuse you from performing technical tasks professionally.

Be sure you are familiar with all the equipment in the studio prior to using it.
Make sure your guests use microphones correctly and you avoid unnecessary noise and silence. Maintain a consistent volume level for the entire broadcast.

Unexpected things will happen from time to time but you should always aim for technical perfection. That way your listeners can concentrate on what you are saying rather than being distracted by technical mistakes.

4. Listen to your program:

How often do you record and really listen to your program and I mean actively listen, to the format of the show, the technical quality and the type of music?

Does is sound fresh, alive and inviting? Does it serve the needs of all members of your community? Is it technically as perfect as it can be?

It is a good idea to regularly listen back to your program, perhaps once every 3-6 months and critically assess how it’s going. You and your program team should be the best critics. Often well meaning friends and family will tell you they love the show but perhaps won’t offer you the feedback you really need.


By following these four steps you will make better programs that better serve your community. For all of us that should be the ultimate goal.

Maureen O'Keefe

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Autumn 2002: Barriers to Broadcasting

Below are some of the barriers identified by the NEMBC as making it difficult for emerging and refugee communities to become ethnic community broadcasters. Most of the barriers are common to both refugee and emerging communities although some of them are probably more significant for refugees. These barriers have been identified after consultations with communities, broadcasters, stations and organisations working with emerging communities.

Don?t know about community radio

Many new migrants don?t know that community radio exists in Australia. The importance of information being available about ethnic community broadcasting in the languages of emerging communities cannot be underestimated. Other strategies include incorporating ethnic radio information in DIMIA services and 'visits to the radio station' into English language teaching courses.

Lack of English skills

Communities with low literacy rates in English are less likely to access the information needed to start a radio program.

Lack of awareness of funding and training available

Many community members and organisations had no idea that funding was available for programs and that training could also be arranged. If the government fails to refund the Australian Ethnic Radio Training Project (AERTP) this will be an enormous impediment to the involvement of emerging and refugee communities in broadcasting. Without these funds specific funds for training emerging and refugee communities will need to be found.

Lack of confidence

This was especially the case with women?s groups and was linked to both a lack of English but also the dislocation which is experienced after migration.

Lack of mobility

Transport is one of the biggest obstacles in large cities and especially in relation to women?s groups. Arranging transport or funding for transport is the solution.

Making radio may not be a priority during the first stages of settlement

Where communities are newly settled they are in the process of finding employment, training, housing etc. While they would certainly be listeners of the program, many may not be able to get involved in making the program.

Not enough people from the community wanting to get involved to sustain a weekly program

Many stations only offer weekly programs to communities as the path to become a broadcaster. The sector needs to create a development path into stations for emerging communities who cannot sustain weekly programs from the start. This can include radio projects, special broadcasts, segments, being part of a multicultural program, etc.

Not able to sign up enough people as members in order to qualify for the broadcast hours where it is required

Once again, this is a question of economics and priorities in the first stages of settlement. The lack of awareness of ethnic community broadcasting amongst community members also makes paying membership fees difficult. Stations with this sort of requirement need to waive it for emerging and refugee communities

Lack of resources to pay for the airtime where applicable

Some stations charge for their airtime and in many cases broadcasters rely on sponsorship and donations to pay their fees. Smaller communities cannot rely on sponsorship or donations. Again stations with this requirement need to waive it for emerging and refugee communities

Lack of airtime

Some stations identify the lack of airtime as a reason new communities aren?t on air. Some stations identified the need to reshape their programming to accommodate new groups in their stations.

Stations under resourced and therefore aren?t proactive

Community radio stations are very under resourced organisations and do not have the human or financial resources to provide outreach and specialist services to emerging communities. Stations that want to work with emerging communities will need to strengthen their links with local settlement services and be proactive in the development of radio projects for new communities. To do this they will need to find additional sources of funds for such projects.

Lack of opportunity to come in contact/participate with the station

Stations need to develop station visits and open days, as well as inviting potential broadcasters to station events. They need to have Migrant Resource Centres and emerging community organisations participating in the station.

Flexible training

In some cases emerging communities are made up mostly of men. Other communities have significant groups of women with children and no male member of the family. Training needs to be both flexible and meet the specific needs of emerging communities to ensure all parts of these communities have access to the airwaves.

NEMBC

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