Exegesis – Community Radio and the transition to digital

Radio has an extremely persuasive nature in our everyday lives. Currently there is a revival of interest in the radio services in Australia which coincides with the growth of new media technologies. More than ever before Australians trust radio as it as a medium that the public turn to in cases of emergency, hard hitting-news and current affairs. It is a technology that offers strong opinion, talk back, a variety of music, topics and segments targeted at all ages. It is an easy listening medium that is used and cherished by millions of Australians.

 

The community radio sector fulfils a broad and particularly unacknowledged role in the Australian media landscape despite the fact that it has developed as Australia’s third media sector. Its role is to provide a diverse range of services that meet community needs. Community broadcasting stations are strongly committed to providing local news and information, the promotion of local and Australian artists, arts and culture and the opportunity to provide training in media skills. There is no doubt that digital radio is the next generation in radio however it is worth acknowledging how community radio stations are going to adapt to the onset of digital broadcasting. The commercial radio industry, the ABC and SBS have been quick to join forces to establish the necessary infrastructure to deliver digital radio to Australian listeners, as to these broadcasters digital radio is the most significant development since FM radio.

 

The coming of digital radio technology being introduced in Australia will bring a number of challenges for community broadcasters. The concern in the community radio sector is that minimal budgets will see individual stations unable to extend to all the new infrastructure required to commence digital broadcasting.

These are the reasons and motivations behind the intention of producing a radio based research project. I have formulated a project abstract in order to guide and direct me in creating a practical research study into how digital radio will affect community radio stations.

 

Project Abstract: How will two key players in Melbourne’s community radio sector adjust to the inception of digital broadcasting? Public and commercial radio have been quick to adapt to the new technology and have begun to venture into digital domain In comparison to community radio who has not yet embraced digital radio having a unique funding system and specific broadcasting values.Having one of the largest community radio sectors in the world, Melbourne’s community radio stations (3RRR and 3CR ) two of its biggest players can provide interesting case studies on the move to digital radio.How these two stations adapt to digital may test and give understanding for other community broadcasters.

 

Theoretical framework:

I will be creating a radio based research project. I intend to interview and discuss the topic of digital radio and the effects it will have on community radio stations/broadcasters. There will be many topics that will be discussed and looked at in depth such as funding/financial implications of digital broadcasting, audience issues (is the audience going to change?),programming and content (how will it be affected?) and volunteer workforce (will there be any changes?).

Research methodology:

This will be Primary Research. This will involve formal and informal interviews,discussions and with myself and other practitioners. To compliment this methodology other research methods will be implemented such as secondary, qualitative, professional and action research.

 Research methods:

 Secondary Research: Is the natural outcome of the project. These will be things such as documents, journals etc. These will be used to conduct and complement the outcomes of primary research.

Qualitative Research: This method will be used to gather information about the effects digital radio will have on a community radio station. It will be done via direct observation, in-depth interviews and analysis of documents and material.

Professional Research: This will be used to look in to the technical aspects of how digital radio works. This research method will also be used for the pod casting component of my project.

Action Research: Will be used to examine and improve the ways of radio based research practice. I will be able to examine the concept of podcasting through the reflection on my own personal experience of the project.

Style & Length: The style of this research project will be a creative yet documentary type piece. It will be presented in 5-6 podcasts of 30 min each on a theme related to the main question.

Application to project: This project is a practical research study into how community broadcasters will be affected by the onset of digital radio.