A federal government committee will hold an enquiry into community broadcasting, aiming to examine the scope of this broadcasting sector and find ways to support it effectively.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts will examine the role that community broadcasting has in Australian communities, and the role of the Australian Government in supporting community broadcasting enterprises.

Committee Chair Jackie Kelly has told radioinfo: “Community broadcasting plays a vital role for many Australians, uniting them through a common interest or a geographical location. It provides an avenue for many voices, including grassroots interest groups, ethnic, indigenous, and religious communities.”

In her Sydney western suburbs electorate, MP Kelly has been involved with local community stations such as WOW FM over the years and also supported a licence campaign for narrowcaster Cool Country FM. She is likely to understand the role community broadcasting plays in covering local politics and supporting local events.

Since Australia’s first community radio station was established nearly 35 years, community broadcasting has grown to 460 independent community owned and operated broadcasting services. These include radio and television stations and remote Indigenous services. New technologies, including the internet and digital satellite services, provide opportunities for community broadcasters to expand and diversify but these changes also bring challenges.

Kelly says the Committee will be “examining the role of community broadcasting across different communities and how the Australian Government can best support the independence and diversity of broadcasters.”

The formal terms of reference for the enquiry are:

• The scope and role of Australian community broadcasting across radio, television, the internet and other broadcasting technologies;

• Content and programming requirements that reflect the character of Australia and its cultural diversity;

• Technological opportunities, including digital, to expand community broadcasting networks; and

• Opportunities and threats to achieving a diverse and robust network of community broadcasters.

Submissions should be made to the enquiry by 17 March 2006 (click below for details). After submissions close the committee will hold public hearings around Australia.