The Benefits of Student Radio

Student Radio is an ill-defined and poorly understood concept. In America, it generally refers to 'on-campus' radio, where students sit in the studio for an hour or so, broadcast some CD's and break stuff. For an example, view the opening of Howard Stern's "Private Parts".

In Australia however, it is generally not as poorly conceived or executed. But, as is evident by the state of 2NUR FM, it is under constant threat, and conflicts with the new regime of 'Comercial Universities'.

There is no one ideal radio station that symbolises what 'University Radio' should be like, though there are many which can tell you what it shouldn't be like.

Community Radio is a major source for independent thoght of all kinds to surface.
Here are a few examples of the benefits of student radio as a part of community radio:

Independent Music
The Australian music industry, like the global music industry, is in the same shape as community radio: FUCKED
Independent artists are viewed, even by General Managers of Community Radio Stations, as unmarketable, and generally shithouse. If a musician does not conform to the acceptable BPM and lyrical content of commercial radio, then they are labelled 'alternative', or simply not labelled at all.
This is not the only reason an artist chooses to be independent, in fact, many independent artists avoid major labels to continue making the music they want to make.

Regardless of the reasons, the fact of the matter is: The J's can only cater for so much, and with their heavy emphasis on trying to compete with commercial radio, they leave a lot of artists out to dry.
Where do these artists turn?
Community Radio - supposedly the independent spirit of the airwaves.

Now many commercial managers will have you believe that the reason community stations are sent independent music is because: it's too crap to play anywhere else. The announcers who do play it - like the students at 2NUR FM - realise the quality and heart put into this music, and distinguish it above the manufactured crap that is fed through slick and well funded commercial stations.

As a result of the death of student radio at Newcastle University - countless independent artists will lose their air time on Newcastle Radio - and will go unheard in favour of...

...you've probably had it drummed into you on television and even Triple J by now!
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)