Background

Money Can Be Exchanged for Goods and Services" - Homer Simpson, Genius.

The situation at hand is no different to the countless battles being fought out in all educational facilities, community arts foundations and all other areas where independent spirit is trying to find it's voice.
"Show Me The Money" - Exact quote from the General Manager of 2NUR FM when discussing the reasons for canning the student radio broadcast.
"I can't sell that show!" - Here is a man doing his job: Making back the $1.4mil owed to the University of Newcastle. There is no question about it - John McGahen is trying to do his job. But why? What is the point in saving 2NUR FM if it's going to exist only as a commercial broadcaster abusing it's community licence?

The Students of Newcastle University vs Easy Listening 2NUR FM is a classic Good vs Evil scenario. Students want a home to broadcast what they feel is the best radio they can put together; the Manager has other ideas - slick, polished, music driven programming with a format to please all.

Why are they constantly trying to crush the independent spirit? Simply because it is not profitable. Despite the many rules in place to keep community radio safe - John McGahen battles on. Easy Listening or nothing!

The students of Newcastle University suggest 2NUR FM is breaching the following codes of The Community Radio Code of Practice:

Community Radio Stations will:
1.4 Operate on a non-profit basis.

1.9 Seek to widen the community's involvement in broadcasting and to encourage participation by those denied effective access to, and those not adequately served by, other media.

2.2 Community broadcasting licensees will avoid censorship wherever possible, however, consideration shall be given to the audience; the context; the degree of explicitness; the propensity to alarm, distress or shock; and the social importance of the event.

3.1 Community broadcasting stations shall ensure that set proportions of the total number of musical items broadcast consist of musical items composed and/or performed by Australians.* The proportions shall be:
(a) not less than 20% Australian music items for stations with diverse formats serving the general community; and
(b) not less that 10% Australian musical items for ethnic and classical stations.
(a) and (b) to be determined over a one month period.
*In this code and "Australian" means a person who is a citizen or ordinarily resident in Australia.

CODE NO.4
Sponsorship
4.1 Ensures that sponsorship will not be a factor in determining access to broadcasting time.
4.2 Ensures that the content and style of individual programs is not influenced by the sponsors of programs.
4.3 Ensures that overall programming of community broadcasting stations is not influenced by sponsors.

6.2 Community Broadcasting licensees will make every reasonable effort to resolve disputes within their organisation conscientiously and as soon as practicable.

7.2 Licensees will provide regular on-air information about Community Broadcasting Codes of Practice and how audiences may obtain them.

7.3 Community broadcasting licensees will make every reasonable effort to resolve complaints, except where a complaint is clearly frivolous, vexatious or not made in good faith.


More background info is on it's way - check out 2NUR or Student Radio
for a detailed summary of the situation.

Fight for student radio!

This site will be regularly updated to keep you fully informed.
To voice your concerns, please contact:

John McGahen : [email protected]

2NURFM: [email protected]

or phone:

(02) 4921 5555 (phone)
(02) 4921 7158 (fax)