"The Australian community radio sector is a rich source of information for researchers, activists and practitioners working to support and develop community broadcasting worldwide. With a 46-year history, it represents an established and enduring third tier of independent local broadcasting with ove
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r 450 non-profit radio services legislated to provide opportunities for community engagement and participation. This article focuses on the political, economic and institutional factors involved in a change of ownership and management of Radio Adelaide, the country’s longest running community radio station. The process illustrates the impact and effects of the non-profit industrial complex as stations struggle for financial survival and independence in an increasingly competitive, corporatized environment. It is a case study which questions the contemporary understanding of a strong and resilient sector, highlighting themes to inform community media research and practice internationally." (Abstract)
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"Este curso trata sobre la siempre difícil sostenibilidad económica de las radios de fines sociales. Pensaremos herramientas que ayuden a pensar unestra práctica en estos temas, dónde conseguir fondos, cómo adminstrarlos. La idea es reflexionar sobre las diferentes dimensiones que hacen que una
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radio comunitaria perdure y desarrolle sus objetivos (sostenibilidad político-social, comunicacional, económica-administrativa). A partir de allí nos concentraremos en pensar específicamente el aspecto económico para tener herramientas para analizar cómo abordamos estos temas en nuestra emisora y qué podemos hacer para fortalecernos, obtener más recursos, hacer una gestión prolija. Siempre entendiendo que las radios comunitarias se sostienen con diversas y múltiples fuentes de financiamiento y que también en este aspecto de la gestión es fundamental la comunidad y su participación." (Página 2)
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"Community radio broadcasters obtain economic support from a variety of sources. During my discussions with community broadcasters and activists, there was a general expression of pragmatism towards the economic tensions they faced in running their stations. Their programme content may need to be su
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itable not only for their local communities but also for the agencies and organisations that support them. However, frequently the greates tension was simply getting enough funds to operate effectively. They found the strain of a constant lack of funds gruelling, and there were often concerns about the sustainability of their stations." (Conclusion)
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"Whereas the earlier ZACRAS manuals already covered issues of social and organisational sustainability, this manual addresses the issue of financial sustainability. These three aspects: social, organisational and financial sustainability e are described and explained in the following chapter. This f
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inancial sustainability framework manual consists of a set of really practical tools, for preparing the work stepebyestep. The manual can be used as a guide and tool in a radio station seminar, where the board and management sit down and develop the tools step by step. It can be further used as a support when you explain your financial situation and life to the broader group of community volunteer broadcasters, or to your members in an annual general assembly, or when breaking down in a discussion with a potential partner, how you work strategically and systematically with partnerships. Every community radio is a mirror of the community to which it belongs – and as every community is special and different, reflecting its history, composition and choices, so is every community radio. It is therefore not possible to present one, generic financial sustainability framework for use by all. But it is possible to present a set of questions that all community radio stations should be asking themselves in order to achieve financial sustainability. The answers will be different – special – and will be your own, special, framework for your own, special, financial sustainability strategy and framework." (Introduction)
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"The current study, which recognises the importance of creating learning organisations and the introduction of new broadcasting techniques to the survival of an organisation, explores the influence of learning orientation (LO) and creative broadcasting techniques (CBT) on the sustainability of CRS.
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There exists extant literature that attests to LO as an antecedent of innovation and the sustainability of firms on the one hand, and new broadcasting capabilities and procedures (CBT) as instrumental to the long-term sustainability of CRS on the other. Yet studies that explore the intersection of these three variables (i.e. LO, CBT and the diverse forms of sustainability) are hard to come by, hence this study. The study draws on an interpretive epistemology, qualitative approach and two case studies of CRS located in Bloemfontein, Free State. It investigates the LO and CBT of these institutions to develop some in-depth knowledge of their influence on the community stations’ sustainability. The researcher conducted in-depth interviews with CRS managers, producers and presenters and observed the broadcasting practices and activities of these CRS. The results of the study reveal that LO and CBT, especially the implementation of each of the components, positively influenced organisational, financial and social sustainability of CRS. The study recommends that each CRS should draw up a station constitution, which specifies the code of good practice and conduct in conformity to their licencing conditions, vision and goals. The constitution should be availed to all employees to ensure unity of purpose and common understanding of the practices adopted and methods implemented by the CRS." (Abstract)
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"This study assesses the role and impact of this local radio station network as well as its sustainability prospects, focusing on four pillars of sustainability in particular: Financial sustainability: at a minimum, radio stations need to be able to support their activities, and ideally enjoy some s
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urplus for innovation. Organizational sustainability: radio stations need to have access to a level of professionalism and resources that allow it to produce and present programs of reasonable quality. Political and cultural sustainability: radio stations need to be politically enabled to perform their activities, to do so in safety, and to enjoy the support of the communities within their broadcast area. Audience sustainability: radio stations need to be able to reach a sizeable audience, and to meet this audience’s information needs and expectations. To this end, in-depth interviews with key stakeholders in the Internews/Salam Watandar story as well as those involved in media operations at the central Kabul level were combined with 10 in-depth case studies from the research sample of 30 provincial Internews-established, full Salam Watandar-partner stations. 20 in-depth interviews by phone with the remaining sample stations were added to this." (Executive summary)
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"Este artículo expone los principales rasgos del mercado de la radio y la televisión de señal abierta en el Perú, y hace hincapié en los niveles de concentración de la inversión publicitaria, el control de las frecuencias y el marco regulatorio hecho a la medida de los grupos mediáticos más
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poderosos del país. También analiza las posibilidades de sostenibilidad económica, crecimiento y modernización de buena parte de los medios locales y regionales en un contexto mundial caracterizado por acelerados cambios tecnológicos y transformaciones en los hábitos y estilos de consumo de las audiencias. Asimismo, describe algunas fortalezas y estrategias desplegadas por las radios y televisoras locales, comerciales y con objetivos de desarrollo social (educativas y comunitarias), orientadas a posibilitar su permanencia en el mercado y sentar las bases para el complejo tránsito hacia la digitalización de la producción y distribución de contenidos multimedia." (Sumilla)
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"Una radio social (comunitaria, alternativa, popular, local, etc.) posee múltiples y diversas fuentes de financiamiento. Múltiples: en el sentido de que no se sostienen con una sola fuente de financiamiento. Primero, porque es difícil conseguir una sola fuente que cubra completamente los gastos d
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e una emisora. Segundo, porque eso haría peligrar la independencia y margen de acción: la multiplicidad es estratégica. Diversas: implementan distintos modelos. Van a la búsqueda de distintas fuentes. Y en general, tienen pequeños ingresos de muchas fuentes y de todos los tipos posibles. Incluso, creando e inventando nuevas. Utilizan alquiler de espacios a terceros, publicidad comercial, publicidad oficial, proyectos de cooperación, subsidios, aportes individuales, venta de productos (discos, material promocional, etc.), venta de servicios (producción radiofónica, capacitación, investigaciones, etc.), desarrollo de bares o espacios culturales, etc. Nos parece de relevancia que estos elementos se incluyan a la definición de lo que es una radio social, por cuanto es un tema que siempre queda postergado o es tabú para las emisoras. Es una característica diferencial respecto de otros tipos de emisora, y habla también de su capacidad de resiliencia, resistencia, adaptabilidad y creatividad. De considerar a la multiplicidad y diversidad de fuentes de financiamiento como un elemento constitutivo de la definición de medio social, podrían evitarse, por ejemplo, algunas legislaciones como la brasileña y la chilena que definen a los medios comunitarios o ciudadanos -entre otras cosas- como aquellos que no pueden recibir publicidad comercial. Y esto funciona como una restricción a su funcionamiento. Al igual que las legislaciones que imponen una restricción al alcance de este tipo de medios: esa restricción de alcance repercute en achicar las posibilidades, sobre todo, de obtener publicidad comercial." (Conclusiones y recomendaciones, página 273-274)
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"Sector income has increased significantly since the last census was conducted in 2011-2012. Community radio stations collectively generated $103,533,154, including CBF grants, in the 2015-2016 financial year. This represents an increase of 41%, or $30,143,206, over the last four years. While it is
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important to note that the inclusion of 57 temporary community broadcast license holders in the sample has contributed to the increase in total income generated by the sector, as these stations reported significantly lower average income per station than permanent community broadcast license holders the effect is not significant. Income growth was strongest across regional and metropolitan stations, with these stations reporting total income 84% and 47% higher than four years ago respectively. Rural stations also grew, while suburban stations reported income lower than in 2011-2012. Youth stations experienced the most significant growth since the last Census, with income growing by 125% between 2011-2012 and 2015-2016. Significant increases in total income were also reported by religious stations, who reported income 82% higher than in 2011-2012." (Page 8)
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"Local radio stations have mushroomed in Africa, including Tanzania, partly due to increased support from international donors. However, research results show that the lack of economic viability is a major constraint for local radio stations. They can hardly generate sufficient revenues from adverti
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sers to sustain the station. This leads to high turnover of staff due to low pay, low quality of content, and lack of capacity in serious programming. Based on a market model, the goal of this paper is to identify these problems from both a business and a journalism perspective and to find possible solutions. The results of this analysis show that a viable economic model in Africa requires simultaneous support for three different fields, (a) development of good content, (b) development of media management capacities, and (c) media research covering the extent and satisfaction of local audiences in order to develop local advertising markets that serve local media." (Abstract)
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"This article is intended as a resource for community broadcasters and researchers. It draws on interviews and discussion with community broadcasters and activists to identify practical examples of funding methods. The seven common methods of funding a community station are detailed. These are: supp
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ort from the station's own community; patronage from a larger organisation; commercial advertising and sponsorship; competitive grants; service contracts; support by NGOs; support by governmental agencies. The article points to resources where the reader can discover more fully how each funding method is used, and concludes that a prudent station may use several methods to help ensure economic sustainability." (Abstract)
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"The community radio has made an impression in all grounds of rural society with specific need of sustenance in the long run. The study was taken up to compare the status of three community radios operational each under State Agricultural University (SAU), Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and Non-Governme
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nt Organization (NGO). Four villages have been selected randomly from one purposively selected block. Forty (40) respondents from four randomly selected villages from each CRS coverage were selected for the study. Thus, a total of 120 respondents constituted the sample of the study. Sustainability of radio station is considered as the combination of social sustainability (social capital and social equity), operational sustainability (suitability of approach and training-cum problem solving) and financial sustainability. The sustainability index of NGO-CRS was found to 0.60 followed by KVK-CRS (0.58) and SAU-CRS (0.57). It is also revealed that financial sustainability of NGO-CRS was found more important than other indicators of for its long term sustenance." (Abstract)
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"Rural communities rely on radio for communication and community radio remains the most accessible medium of communication. Rural community radio is the voice of the unprivileged members of the society. In Kenya, community radio stations are growing rapidly and extensively. Radio Mang’elete has be
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en in existence for more than ten years but still struggling with sustainability challenges. The study was conducted in a natural setting which involved in-depth interviews and Focused Group Discussions (FGD’s). Data was collected and analyzed. The study revealed lack of quality management, lack of community involvement, lack of quality programs, unprofessionalism among others as contributing factors towards Rural Community Radio (RCR) sustainability. Qualitative research focusing on insight and understanding from the perspective of those being studied offers the greatest promise of making a difference in people’s lives (Merriam 2009). Based on findings, the study recommends that RCR should improve on financial resources, policies and regulation, professionalism, management skills, and training of staff /volunteers should be frequent." (Abstract)
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"Revenant sur une longue expérience personnelle en Afrique et en Asie, Birgitte Jallov met en avant les éléments fondamentaux nécessaires à la consolidation [des radios communautaires] dans la durée. Elle dissèque les facteurs qui garantissent la durabilité sociale, organisationnelle et fina
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ncière de ce type de projet et insiste sur la nécessité absolue de leur appropriation au niveau local." (Introduction, page 8)
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"Community Radio is still nascent in Bangladesh while in India it has completed a decade and in Nepal it has existed in its myriad forms without a policy for much longer [...] The existence or non-existence of a guiding national CR policy plays an important role in determining the kind of Community
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Radio being sustained in the country. The policy has impacted the kinds of institution that is eligible to establish Community Radio as well as the kind of institutions the Community Radios themselves are evolving into. The practices at the stations in the three countries are quite diverse with CR stations in Nepal having a slight edge over those in India and Bangladesh from the point of having evolved as ‘media’ organizations’ rather than as ‘development’ organizations. Communities in all three countries are conceived of as geographic communities and not as communities of interest. All stations work on principles of not for profit in India and Bangladesh where as the underlying principles in Nepal seems to be community shareholding at least in the CR stations that were part of the study." (Conclusions, page 33)
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"La presente tesis presenta un panorama de la problemática particular de los medios audiovisuales sin fines de lucro y de la radiodifusión comunitaria en particular. Desde la perspectiva de la Economía Política de la Comunicación (EPC) analiza aspectos vinculados a la industria de la radiodifus
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ión sonora y su regulación, el mercado publicitario y las audiencias. Aborda, además, aspectos específicos de la Ley de Servicios de Comunicación Audiovisual que tienen impacto en el sector sin fines de lucro. Se exponen allí las principales tensiones, divergencias y acuerdos sobre las problemáticas del acceso a las licencias, la sostenibilidad, el trabajo y las incumbencias profesionales históricas de la radio. Por último, propone un análisis más profundo sobre los modos organizativos, administrativos, económicos y de resolución del trabajo sobre 10 emisoras del Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires." (Resumen)
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