Memorandum submitted by HICBF Community
Radio
It has come to our attention that the commercial
radio industry is lobbying the government to prevent community
radio raising commercial revenue. In general we have to disagree
with this standpoint. In the Highlands and Is1ands area, due to
the topography alone, the development of a small radio under the
"Licensing Community Radio" guidelines is going to be
difficult enough without pecuniary restrictions being placed upon
them.
I am writing on behalf of the Highlands and
Islands Community Broadcasting Federation, an organisation that
represents the "Community Radio" stations in the Highlands
and Islands. While many of our members have full ILRs they have
always worked under the banner of Community Radio, providing a
service to tbe local populace with matters pertinent to the area.
We are therefore very much aware of the difficulty of establishing
a community radio station and are supportive, in the main, to
the new "Community Radio Licences" which are presently
under consultation.
We however do not support the commercial radio
industry proposals of restricting the development of small Community
Radio licensing through financial limitations. Or their proposal
that no community radio station should be allowed to exist in
any area overlapping by more than 50% with a commercial radio
station, serving 100,000 people or less. If an individual or group
wishes to take the risk of starting a community radio station
they should be praised for their commitment to the community not
restricted by large organisations' fear of competition.
21 May 2004
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