Community radio and local culture: An Australian case study

Abstract

This paper is based on the results of a two-year study of the Australian community radio sector. The study, supported by the Australian Research Council, the Community Broadcasting Foundation, the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia and the Federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, was designed to provide insight into the operations of the contemporary Australian community radio industry, particularly in terms of its connections to communities, production of local content, and creation of a 'citizens' media. It was also designed to provide an analysis of the people working in community radio - their training levels, skills, personal profile, career goals and so on. This paper draws from that larger study, specifically looking at participation, access, and the cultural role of community radio in producing local content for Australian society. It is particularly relevant in light of the recent trials of 'access' radio in the United Kingdom, and the growth of community radio across the European continent. As Australia was one of the few countries to legislate for community radio in the early 1970s, the experience and development of community radio is relevant to the sector's global development.