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Australian Radio
Radio has been in Australia since 1920,
but until the 1970's all radio stations were either commercial
organizations or run by the Government. In the early 1940's the Australian radio
broadcasting scene was established. There were 130 commercial
stations and a roughly the same number of ABC stations. The ABC had
national commitments including news, education, parliamentary
broadcasting and culture (including five full orchestras ) It was
not until 1972 that both Community radio and Indigenous radio began. FM radio started in 1974 closely
followed by SBS radio in 1975. The Internet was first turned on in
Australia in 1989 and Digital radio began in 2007.
The future of radio is clearly defined
by digital technology and Internet
Advent of Public Broadcasting
and
Community Radio
In
the 1970's, Australian Government made a number of community broadcasting licences
available. Australia's first community station, 5UV (now Radio Adelaide) was
established in Adelaide and predates the MBS stations as
Australia's first public station and it went to air in June
1972
Community Radio offers
access to a more diverse range of music, information, news and views
than would otherwise be available. It provides communities with
locally produced content that is immediately relevant to their daily
lives. It allows individuals and community groups to participate in
producing their own programs and to maintain their local culture. It
also fulfils an important role in providing basic media training for
over 7,000 Australians annually. Community radio encourages
participation in all aspects of running a radio station from scheduling, presenting, producing
programs to administration and fundraising.
 Community radio stations survive
through the generous support of their sponsors, unstinting energy of
their members and presenters and support in the form of grants.
The people who work in community radio are
mostly volunteers so don't get paid for what they do. They work in
radio because they believe that the information that they present is
important and they want to develop the skills associated with radio
production, or just because working in radio is fun
I started working as a volunteer with
part time paid roles at
2XX in
Canberra. I have since been with 5UV in
Adelaide with some involvement in student radio and the unemployed.
Also EFM Victor Harbor both in South Australia (see my pic) Ive been involved in
all aspects of community radio until I retired after presenting two
live music programmers weekly for five years, the 'Rhythm and Blues
Show' and 'Mega Mix'.and various other programs and specials. I
designed an interactive website for EFM before any other station had
one, but they didn’t approve it despite not charging for my
services. It was difficult to be new and innovative at Victor Harbor
and the statistics said the area had a high percentage of retirees
and it showed in the stations volunteers. I enjoyed radio and can
recommend getting involved to anyone of any age
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News
Future of Radio With multiple
new ways of listening to sound, whether via your phone, an ipod or
your laptop, this week we ask whether radio has a future. It's demise has
been foretold many times in recent decades and yet radio has managed
to renew itself. But is it facing its biggest challenge
yet?
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ABC
Radio
Indigenous
Radio
In
1972 the first Indigenous produced program went to
air on 5UV in
Adelaide. In March 1981 ABC began carrying Abo broadcasts
in Alice Springs and the service
was extended to Queensland in 1983
.
SBS Radio
In
1975, two small radio stations, 2EA in Sydney and 3EA in Melbourne
began broadcasting four hours a day in seven and eight languages
respectively. Initially established as an experimental service to inform migrant
communities about the newly introduced health system, the service
gradually expanded. In 1977 the Broadcasting and Television Act was
changed to provide for the establishment of a national Special Broadcasting Service
with multilingual radio
and television services. In
the early days, SBS Radio broadcasted 42 hours of programs in eight
languages each week. Today it broadcasts 650 hours of programming in
68 languages
.
FM Radio
Frequency modulation FM radio was developed in the U.S. in the
1930s, and experimental FM
broadcasts began in Australia in 1947. In 1974 the
first
licensed Australian FM radio station went to air. The first use of
FM in Australia was for public broadcasting, by fine music stations
2MBS and 3MBS. The ABC
entered the medium in 1976 with the establishment of ABC-FM based in
Adelaide. Commercial radio first started
to get access to the FM band in 1980
.
 Internet
First turned
on in Australia in 1989, the growth of the Internet as a tool for
communications has been enormous and has an ongoing impact on the
broadcast media. The Internet serves as both a source of
information for broadcasters, and a new medium for transmitting
information. Radio broadcasters have enthusiastically adopted
theInternet and its
capacity for multi platforming to expand their reach and meet the
demands of a technologically aware audience. Websites distribute radio material for
downloading as podcasts
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Digital Radio
In 2007, the Australian Parliament
passed legislation to facilitate the
introduction of digital radio in Australia
Digital radio is being
introduced to supplement existing radio services in Australia,
rather than a replacement technology. The introduction of digital radio technology and the growth of the Internet lead to
speculation of what the future may hold for Australia's radio
industry. It is anticipated that
digital radio sets will feature visual displays for text and image,
as well as information such as artist and song title. Other
developments might include advertising, weather, and news or event
information. Digital radio as a portable media device may also
include video clips and streaming
interviews
C.B.A. Is the national peak body
for Community radio and television stations in Australia. Community
Broadcasting Association provides leadership, advocacy and support
for members to facilitate independent broadcasting services and to
build and strengthen local communities. As a peak body for the
sector, they represent the sector through policy submissions,
advocacy and campaigns. In addition, they manage projects on behalf
of all community broadcasters, regardless of their
affiliation
.
Radio
Stations
Directory of Community
radio
Live Online Many
Community Radio stations
around Australia simulcast their
programs
Radio
Adelaide Formally 5UV
Nimbin
Independent Media
They focus on news, national and international
current affairs, local community matters and information,
environmental, health, spiritual and cultural issues and music with an
emphasis on local musicians
Melbourne 3ZZZ Largest ethnic community station in Australia
3CR Radio Established to provide a voice for those denied
access to the mass media, particularly the working class; women,
Indigenous people and the many discriminated against by
the mass media
4ZZZ Brisbane Unique in that they don't use playlists to
control what music hits the airwaves. However they ensure adequate
representation is given to
local, new, Australian
music and music with female content
4MBS Queensland, specializes in classical and jazz
music
JOY FM Melbourne's gay and lesbian
station
Fresh FM South
Australia and Specialize in electronic music
Amber Cordeaux Massive
thanks to everyone who has made my time at the station so memorable.
I will never forget my days at Fresh FM, one of the best radio stations in the
world
More information on
Radio Communications and Technology
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References/Links
Central Australian Aboriginal Media
Association
National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters'
Council
Southern Community Media
Assn
Radio for the Print Handicapped
Assn
Australian Music Radio Airplay
Project
Australian Communications and Media
Authority
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