The Australian Communications and Media Authority has accepted an enforceable undertaking from Christian community radio broadcaster 6SON Perth, known on air as Sonshine FM, after finding the station breached licence conditions requiring it to encourage community participation and also giving inaccurate information in its licence renewal documents. The station will now be required to have more community participation in operations and programming.

The enforceable undertaking requires 6SON to improve its corporate governance and management practices, conduct appropriate training and develop a strategy to encourage community participation.

A radioinfo reader has commented on this story saying: “ACMA’s investigation into corporate governance issues should ring alarms bells for all Christian format stations, since in my experience, they are all weak in encouraging community participation in management and programming aspects of station operation. Very few Christian radio stations operate as ‘access’ radio for Christians in general.” Read the full comment below and post your own responses.

The ACMA findings followed an investigation into complaints from members of the community, alleging that 6SON provided inaccurate information to the ACMA in its 2006 licence renewal application. During the investigation, 6SON admitted that it had provided inaccurate information to the ACMA in its renewal application.

The complainants also alleged that 6SON did not encourage participation in the operations of the service or the selection and provision of programs.

ACMA’s Chris Chapman says: “The initial provision of inaccurate information by 6SON was a matter of particular concern during this investigation. The undertaking given by 6SON should enable 6SON to more effectively verify the accuracy and completeness of the information it provides.

“Licensees should be aware that providing inaccurate information to the ACMA can understandably raise concerns about a licensee’s continued suitability to hold a broadcasting licence.”

The undertaking seeks to address the concerns identified by the ACMA in its investigation. It includes a range of measures that, if implemented fully, should strengthen 6SON’s corporate governance and management practices and result in greater levels of community participation, according to ACMA.

If 6SON fails to comply with the undertaking, which will be monitored by ACMA, the regulator may put in place a number of enforcement measures, including instituting proceedings in the Federal Court seeking an order to enforce the undertaking.

6SON must report to the ACMA on implementation of the measures by 28 February and 31 August 2011.