Greens to keep the community in your radio

The CBAA welcomes the Australian Greens’ commitment to a digital future for community radio.

The Keep the Community in Your Radio campaign has been calling for a commitment to the future of community radio on the digital spectrum, with the immediate restoration of funding to cover transmission costs.

Today, 3 June, is a National Day Of Action for the campaign, which has driven almost 40,000 petition signatures to date.

The Australian Greens have committed to funding for community digital radio. Greens MP Adam Bandt said the Greens have a long history of supporting the vital work of community broadcasting and that, without funding to support digital broadcasting, the entire sector risks being left behind.

“Community radio plays a pivotal role in our democracy, providing Australians with much needed media diversity and adding important additional voices to the media landscape,” Mr Bandt said.

“Community radio is a service that people in cities, regions and remote communities alike rely on to provide variety and local content.”

“Community radio also serves as an ‘on-the-job’ training ground for Australia’s largest media employer, the ABC, and a vast array of commercial radio stations across the country.”

“The Greens are proud to support community broadcasting, by standing with the community and against these devastating cuts.”

Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) Chief Executive Officer Jon Bisset welcomed The Greens’ support alongside The Labor Party, and called on the Coalition Government to match the commitment.

“The community broadcasting sector has enjoyed ongoing support from The Greens, and we were pleased to see the announcement come through confirming their commitment to our place on digital radio.”

“Heading in to a close election, we now need the Coalition Government to match the promises made by the Labor Party and Australian Greens –  that way, we can ensure a future for community radio on free-to-air digital radio.”

The Greens’ costed policy is to restore the $1.4m of funding per annum, with indexation, which supports the 37 metro-wide community radio services across Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide.

The CBAA champions community broadcasting by building stations’ capability and sustainability and creating a healthy environment for the sector to thrive.

To get involved, go to www.keepcommunityradio.org.au.