The CBAA is about to embark on a comprehensive lobbying exercise in the hope of securing a greater share of federal government public information campaigns for the community
broadcasting sector.

The community sector believes its size and specialised audiences mean that community broadcasting is able to reach “significant parts of the community who are not served by commercial
media.”

Government sector public information campaigns could boost community radio income significantly if the CBAA’s scheme takes off.

But the move could head into troubled waters if the commercial sector acts to counter the CBAA’s push, or if community stations object to government propaganda from a philosophical point of view.

The CBAA is asking stations to express their interest in having government advertising, to gauge the sectors’ potential acceptance of the idea, before it begins lobbying for a share of this revenue pie. Stations are being asked to indicate their support or objections to the campaign directly to the CBAA.