The UK Community Radio Network has published its manifesto for Community Radio for parties, party leaders, and candidates to support the future of Community Radio for the UK.
The manifesto asks for the next government’s support for three points;
1. An Increase in the Community Radio fund to a level fit to support the sector
2. The continuation, development, and commitment to the longevity of analogue Community Radio
3. Community Radio stations being paid to play Government advertising and paid for PSAs
Co-founder and Director of the UK Martin Steers said: “This election is a great opportunity to highlight the needs of Community Radio, and we are calling on much-needed support to secure our future as a sector.”
To expand on these three points the UK Community Radio Network has drafted a detailed document as part of the manifesto which breaks the points down in greater detail, with background and explanation.
For instance, calling for the community radio fund to see a significant increase, and it developed to better support stations applying for grants, for Community Radio station licences to be extended past their current 20-year limit, with unlimited renewals of 10 year periods, and for Ofcom to immediately start the process of licensing new analogue Community Radio stations.
In addition to releasing the manifesto they are encouraging stations to share it with local candidates for their support and ask that stations let them know about any responses they get so they track the engagement nationally.
Martin Steers adds: “Whilst there are so many national issues at play, MPs are elected by local people, who quite often will be listening to their local Community Radio station that needs their support!
“And no doubt during the election the local candidates will have asked to be interviewed or attend hustings organised by or broadcast by Community Radio stations, now is the time to engage candidates with our issues!”
Once the election has been declared the UK Community Radio Network intends to sit down with the incoming Secretary of State and Ministers as soon as possible, to make sure that Community Radio is part of the agenda of the new government.