Australian Community Radio: Funding Challenges and Dilemmas

Simon Order

The largest pressure faced by community radio stations is financial. Stations constantly face the reality of how to ensure an adequate operating income in an increasingly competitive mediascape. Van Vuuren (2006c) argues that the extent of the contribution of community media to media democracy in Australia depends largely on how the sector manages commercial pressures. There is a need to ensure more financial stability to allow stations to focus on their primary community-orientated and participatory goals. The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC 2007: 51) argues that if financial contributors are available, whether public or private, the sponsors will want to know they are receiving value for any investment they make in the sector. This emphasis on " value for money " is a good reason to evaluate and demonstrate the efficacy and effectiveness of Australian community radio stations. The value of Australian community radio, like citizens media (Rodríguez 2001: 163), centres on what are sometimes quite subtle objectives. These can be difficult to evaluate. For example, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA and CBAA 2008a: 1), the first guiding principle of community broadcasting states: 'We will work to promote harmony and diversity and contribute to an inclusive, cohesive and culturally-diverse Australian community.' What type of evaluative benchmark can easily distinguish whether harmony and diversity in the community, for example, has been promoted or not? This paper discusses the main funding challenges and dilemmas faced by Australian community broadcasters in light of demonstrating the value of the sector. Introduction The supporters of community radio see the sector as a vital part of the fabric of Australian media. Community radio supporters argue that it should receive regular funding for the valuable social and cultural contributions it makes to society. However, the detractors suggest that the sector already receives special privileges over commercial broadcasters who pay substantial sums for their frequency allocation and licences. From this standpoint, it would be easy to question why the community sector should exist at all. Snape and Simson (2000: 275) state:

Australian Community Radio: Funding Challenges and Dilemmas

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