Support for Newcastle Student Radio

The following emails and letters have been sent to 2NUR FM regarding the shutting down of this valuable student radio initiative:


From: "Tania"
Subject: re. new evening radio format, 2NUR
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 02:28
Dear Mr McGahen,

I was disappointed to learn of the change in format of the 8-11 pm timeslot of 2NUR-FM, from the student-run Godfrey Tanner Project to the easy-listening format.

That timeslot was for me the only remaining chance to catch new and diverse music, both international and local, being played without having to pass through the filters of 'popular acceptability' which are so rigidly imposed on every other radio station available to me, both government and commercial.

Not only has this show been now removed from the air, but it has been replaced by its exact anthithesis: a robot-run lineup of songs specially selected to be unchallenging to the intellect.

I am extremly disappointed in this programme change, not only for me as a listener, but also for the student presenters who are losing a valuable training ground, and for the notion of student radio as a whole.

Yours sincerely,
Tania
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From: "ian haug"
Subject: regarding 2NURFM!
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 15:22:24 +1000

Hello...... My name is Ian Haug, and I have recently been contacted by a friend regarding the impending changes to the 2NURFM.

I am a musician, and have been in the Australian band Powderfinger for around 10 years.

During this time the community/student radio format in various Australian cities has been both an important thing for our and countless other Australian bands existence, and a relief from tired and lazy radio formatting for my own personal listening pleasure.

Apart from the fact that students in general need to be inspired by relevant and up to date radio talk, information about art and politics and music that is not provided by the mainstream radio stations..... if there is ever to be any change in the format of a radio staion that is funded heavily by student fees then is should implemented be by some kind of vote.

The concept of changing the format of the station for financial requirements towards some kind of revenue raising business is fundamentally against the concept of an independent/ student radio station.

There would be more than enough listeners in the local area that would be more proactive in the involvement with the station, if given the chance ,before reformatting becomes a necessity. Subscriptions? donations? anything other than homoginising the market even further than it has already sadly become.

yours sincerely.
ian haug
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From: "Jasper Lee"
Subject: Axing Student Radio
Date: Sun, 21 Oct 2001 18:43:46 +1000

Dear John,

I am writing after hearing the news that The Godrey Tanner Project is being axed from 2NUR FM. This has been a vital component for Newcastle music scene in promoting and playing local and other Australian acts. Particularly as there are no other dedicated avenues of advertising the music scene such as street press or other radio shows.

In line with the ethos of community radio, Kim and the others involved with this show have put in many selfless hours in helping the local music scene through the show, and it seems ironic that they are being axed in favour of a standardised music programme. After all, isn't community radio about both serving the community and about diversity of programmes and music?

Please reconsider your decision to axe the show. The Newcastle Scene and 2NUR will be all the better for it.

Yours Sincerely,
Jasper Lee

www.ozmusicproject.net
Oz Music Project
Online Australian Music Resource
PO BOX 329
Epping NSW 2121
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0402 026300
OMP Radio: http://www.ozmusicproject.net/radio.asp
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From: "Craig Latham"
Subject: Re: [NothingHappening] 2nur
Date: Mon, 8 Oct 2001 22:40:28 +1000

I'm sorry to hear that 2NUR is moving away from coverage of independent music.

Community radio stations are an important institution for local artists and I've enjoyed hearing about the program. I hope that 2NUR re-thinks its position especially given the charter of community radio stations to cater for diversity of programming representative of the community and not merely duplicate existing media.

Please let me know if there is anything that I may do to assist you and please feel free to copy this email as appropriate.

regards

Craig
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Craig Latham
Nothing Happening
PO Box 985
Bathurst NSW
AUSTRALIA 2795

ph: (02) 63384320
http://2mce.hear.at
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From: [email protected]
Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 11:46:36 +1100

John McGann, General Manager 2NURFM.

I write this letter in support of independent music programming on 2NURFM. Through her show, The Godfrey Tanner Project, Kim provides a rare opportunity for Australian artists to get radio exposure and because of this, has raised the profile of your station with musicians and fans around the country.

Newcastle itself has a strong independent music culture spawning internationally successful bands such as silverchair. It is important that local radio stations support this culture especially those with community licenses who are free of the programming limitations of commercial stations. Furthermore the station provides invaluable training opportunties for young people in Newcastle.

In view of all this I ask you to continue to support independent music programming on 2NUR for the benefit of your local community and Australian music in general.

Regards - Jeremy Gronow, Idiot Son, Melbourne.

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From: Richard Beeston
Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 09:19:39 +1000


John McGahen
General Manager
2NURFM

Dear Mr McGahen,

As an independent musician, I implore you to keep the Student Radio programs of your station alive and funded!

It is extremely tough these days for any local artist to receive airplay, and the demise of the student radio service on your station will mean the Newcastle region will basically be a barren land for independent music.
As you can see through the example of bands such as silverchair, without the initial support of local stations and other interested parties, potential 'world-class' acts may never even make it past the first stage.

Independent student radio is a great community service and a worthwhile investment in the future of our young people. Please carefully consider any changes you may be planning to make to the station.

Thanks for your support of a local, independent voice in Newcastle.

Please keep community radio for the community!
Sincerely,
Richard Beeston
Aerial
12 Ulm Street
Ermington 2115.
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Victoria Hannan
UniSA Student Radio
5UV Radio Adelaide
228 North Terrace
Adelaide SA 5000
October 09, 2001

Mr John McGahen
General Manager
2NURFM
University Drive
The University of Newcastle
CALLAGHAN NSW 2308
Dear Mr McGahen
I am writing to express my concern about the state of Student Radio at the University of Newcastle.
For two years I have been involved in Student Radio at the University of South Australia and know the value of radio as a voice for the student body. I have also tuned into the Godfrey Tanner Project via the Internet, interested to hear what other students are up to, only to be pleasantly surprised by the incredibly high standard of radio being produced. Recently I heard the disturbing news that the University of Newcastle's Student voice is about to be taken away and replaced with easy listening music. Is there a justifiable reason why this is happening? Perhaps your elderly listeners are disturbed by young people's music or by the fact that young people are given a chance to express their views uncensored. Or maybe the students just aren't making you enough money?
Whatever the case, this form of censorship is disgraceful.
Student radio is a vital part of university life and perhaps if you spent more time appreciating the work that the students are doing and promoting it amongst your peers, then more students would see the positives of it and become involved.
Keep student media alive.
Yours sincerely
Victoria Hannan
UniSA Student Radio
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From: "Fred E. Gostein"
Reply-To:
Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 09:06:31 +1000

Dear Mr McGann,

As a current board member of 4ZZZ in Brisbane, past presenter at PBS in Melbourne and RTR in Perth, and past volunteer at 3RRR in Melbourne, I wish to express my deepest disappointment at your intentions of removing Student Radio from your station.
Newcastle's independent music scene is currently highly regarded nationally, and as essentially the only representative of local independent music, your station (through the likes of Student Radio shows such as The Godfrey Tanner Project) has been largely responsible for keeping this going. If you remove this component of your programming you will leave an unfillable void that could very well lead to the demise of the Newcastle music scene.

Having been involved in community radio for some time, I'm sure you (like myself) appreciate the importance of featuring under-represented music and leaving the more commercial music to the people who have cornered the market already - COMMERCIAL radio stations. It would be a huge shame and a great waste of radio waves to see a show like The Godfrey Tanner Project replaced by music that one can hear on a number of other stations.
I also note that your Charter has two principal points:

1. To provide the people of Newcastle and the Hunter Region with programs ofexcellence relating to their needs, interests and quality of life.

2. To reflect the University's role in the life of the region. As much as I appreciate that the second point is being reconsidered due tofunding issues, you would not be representing the people of Newcastle'sneeds, interests and quality of life if you didn't take the student population into consideration. I am also more than a little disturbed to see a fellow community radio station let the power of the almighty dollar redefine their Charter so significantly.

Have the CBAA been made aware of your intentions in this regard?

In light of your obligations to your Charter and therefore your community, I beg you to reconsider your decision to drop Student Radio.

Regards,
Fred E. Gostein
Indie News: http://indienews.live.com.au
PO Box 1372
Springwood
AUSTRALIA 4127
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9th October 2001

Australian Music Foundation Inc.
Via Email

Dear Mr McGahen,

I am writing with reference to funding cuts to The Godfrey Tanner Project.
It is extremely disappointing to hear that funding cuts are putting student radio and broadcast of independent Australian music in jeopardy.

As I understand it, there is very little Australian independent music being broadcast in the Newcastle area. The loss of 2NUR's evening student programming would see NO Australian independent music being broadcast in the area, save the tiny amount aired on Triple J.

I urge you to review the decision to broadcast 'easy listening' format in the evenings and would be happy to discuss possible fundraising exercises.
The Australian Music Foundation is committed to the promotion and support of independent live music in Australia. We are a not-for-profit member-based organisation.

Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,

Jenni James
Executive Officer
0414 963 246

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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)