At the Community Broadcasting Association conference in Queensland CBAA President David Melzor was tied up and interrogated, David Flint finally got to attend schoolies week and the ACA was cooking on EMR issues.
But it was not all fun and games – the ABA delivered a serious message to community broadcasters on the first day of the conference: solve your internal conflicts or you may lose your licence.
After a couple of jokes about schoolies week, ABA Chairman David Flint told delegates that the ABA planing process has finished. His point, which was later reinforced by ABA General Manager Giles Tanner, is that there will be no more new licences, so stations can no longer solve internal disputes by forming breakaway groups and asking for another licence. The ABA “does not consider itself a dispute resolution body,” said Flint.
He also spoke about licence renewals, which are expected to be more rigorous in future to ensure that stations continue to serve the community of interest that they were licenced to serve, although “most stations which are doing the right thing will have nothing to worry about.”
During his speech Flint commended the sector on decreasing the number of licence breaches by bringing in better dispute resolution mechanisms, and commented on the current investigation into Groove FM in Perth. Flint said “we have an open mind” on Groove at this stage of the investigation.
Other highlights of the CBAA conference include:
CBAA President David Melzor said community radio is not hampered by commercial profit motives or by the bureaucratic agendas of the ABC and should use it’s unique status to further develop the sector.
He told delegates, “the drive for new ideas and the rationale for community broadcasting has diluted a little over time” and urged stations to rethink their mission.
“We need better visibility and access,” said Melzor, who also suggested to stations “look at your board – is it diverse enough?”
“In every community we must tap into the creative forces… and be inclusive and imaginitive. We can do better with access, programs and teamwork.”
He wants stations to have a reputation for airing new ideas and for working together using teamwork for success.
Manager of Radio Adelaide and CBF Grants board member Deb Welsch played the part of an international consultant in an amusing scenario where she explored the “wishes and desires” of delegates about how they would like to spend the $500,000 of general grant funding which is available each year. Suggestions included more training, increased technical support, lobbying, advertising, surveys and other ‘wish list’ items.
Ken Rays from the Australian Indigenous Communications Association explained the brief of the new organisation which will replace the now defunct National Indigenous Media Association (NIMAA).
“Unfortunately NIMAA went wayward a couple of years ago,” said Rays, who is waiting for the incorporation details of the new organisation to be finalised. The new association will represent and further the interests of Indigenous media organisations. Rays said he wants to work closely with the CBAA on common issues such as training and and technical issues.