Melbourne Community Stations gear for action

Nine Melbourne community digital services are preparing for their 'Day of Action' this Wednesday (March 13).

The day is designed to drive awareness of the need for funding to mantain the digital services provided by the community sector.

The issue was reported on the Melbourne version of the 7.30 Report (see earlier story here).

The community sector has said that the Federal Government's allocation for community digital radio has resulted in a $1.4m shortfall, and unless this is addressed, will require the digital services to largely be shut down.

The Melbourne stations are leading the campaign, with a full day of campaign programming scheduled.

Youth station SYN Media will also be taking the campaign to television, on community station Channel 31 on the youth music show 1700 at 5pm.

Collingwood based PBS will have an open day from 10am-6pm, with a petition available to be signed by listeners and supporters.

CBAA President, and General Manager of PBS, Adrian Basso (pictured) has called the funding shortfall disastrous;

“Community radio provides a voice to such a broad range of people and interests in our communities that are not always represented by mainstream media outlets. It will be a sad day if digital radio loses the diversity and unique services that community radio brings to the media landscape”

For more information on the Commit to Community Radio campaign, see here.