Community broadcasters across Australia will receive an extra six million dollars in funding for digital broadcasting.

Community youth station SYN Media says it is among 37 community broadcasters across Australia who received confirmation from a Federal Government announcement this morning.

This follows a campaign by the public which saw support from more than 43,000 on behalf of community radio.

SYN General Manager Tahlia Azaria has welcomed the news as a win for young people and community broadcasting.

“We couldn’t be happier about this announcement. We have some really big, ambitious plans for digital radio in the pipelines and can now finally get the ball rolling with an assurance that we will have access to digital radio services going forward,” Azaria says.

“For us, digital radio means more broadcast time for young people to share their stories and opinions, and while our analogue signal focuses mainly on Melbourne, our digital channel will give us the opportunity to expand to places where young people are not being heard.”

President of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, Adrian Basso says the decision is an incredible win for community radio stations and listeners and a big boost to media diversity in Australia:

“It’s fantastic that the Federal Government has listened to the needs of the community and delivered the funding required to keep digital community radio services up and running... There’s been a long-standing government commitment to ensuring community broadcasting has affordable access to digital platforms. This announcement makes good on those commitments.”

The funding announced today allows the thirty-seven mainland capital city digital radio services to be maintained, but most importantly it also further secures the place of community broadcasters in the digital broadcasting future.

CBF President Peter Batchelor says the community broadcasting sector has achieved a tremendous outcome thanks to collaborative and collective action, and a Government that has worked hard to find a solution to the funding shortfall.

“The Government has clearly demonstrated its ongoing commitment to supporting community broadcasting. Congratulations to the CBAA for running such an effective campaign, and thanks to all the broadcasters and supporters for voicing their passion for community radio.”