University pulls plug on community radio
By Corinne Batt-Rawden and Ritchie Logan
LISMORE — Around 120 people gathered on April 13 at a public meeting to show their support for the future of 2NCR, after the local community radio station's funding was withdrawn by Southern Cross University. SCU Vice-Chancellor Barry Connyngham made a unilateral decision to withdraw the funding.
The university owns the station's licence and provides the bulk of its budget. A university evaluation of resources claimed that funding should be concentrated in "core areas". This is despite the university's involvement in building a multimillion-dollar pool complex which students will have to pay commercial rates to use.
The vice-chancellor's decision shocked members of the station's governing body, the Radio Council. Jeremy Fenton, a Radio Council member, told Green Left Weekly, "Usually for a change of this magnitude you're looking at a process of around three years, with a gradual step down of financing and implementation of new management structures".
The 23-year-old 2NCR is the region's only provider of multicultural and Aboriginal radio services, and provides training for many students.
A desperate Radio Council called the April 13 public meeting to encourage supporters to form a steering committee which will reorganise and prove to SCU that the council is capable of managing the $500,000 worth of station equipment.
The angry 2NCR supporters made clear their opinion that SCU should revoke its decision. "They see it as the 'thick edge' of economic rationalism", Fenton said. An action group was also set up to organise a public campaign to have the funding reinstated.
2NCR is in dire need of funds and volunteers. If you can help, phone (02) 6620 3929 or e-mail <fm-2ncr@nor.com.au>. To contact the Save 2NCR Action Group, phone Edda Lampis at SCU Student Representative Council on 6620 3044.