Community Radio
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S4M-02194, in the name of Christine Grahame, on community radio. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament considers that community radio does excellent voluntary work in the Borders and across Scotland; notes the contribution that it makes to communities and the work that it does on training, education and developing individual skills; believes that it makes a singular contribution to the democratic process, and acknowledges calls for the Scottish Government to work constructively with the network.
17:04
Thank you, Presiding Officer—I apologise to you for having to listen to me twice today. I thank not only those members who have stayed to take part in the debate, but those who signed the motion and, indeed, the many MSPs who attended the recent presentation and reception by community radio stations from across Scotland. I also want to thank the Scottish Parliament information centre for providing a thorough briefing on community radio.
I have come late to knowing about community radio, but that is not entirely my fault—it has been hiding its wee light under a bit of a bushel. However, now that I know of it—in particular, in my constituency, Black Diamond in Newtongrange and the embryonic TD1 in Galashiels—I am quite sold on it.
I inform those not yet in the know that community radio stations typically cover a small geographic area, with a coverage of in or around 5km, and are run on a not-for-profit basis. TD1 and Black Diamond cover urban geographic areas, but community radio can cater for areas of specific interest. For example, Awaz FM serves the Asian and African community in Glasgow. Community radio can also serve age groups and groups such as the armed forces, as 98.5 Garrison FM does.
In a recent research study on public attitudes to broadcasting that was done on behalf of the Government, 49 per cent of respondents indicated that
“it was either fairly or very important to have a community radio station in their area”.
Interestingly, the report also stated that community radio
“provides over 12,500 volunteering opportunities and 15,000 hours of original radio per week across the UK”.
Despite my earlier ignorance, community radio is not a new phenomenon, and a campaign for community radio goes back to the early 1960s, although it was not until 1989 that the United Kingdom broadcasting regulator—which at the time was the Independent Broadcasting Authority—took steps to introduce full-time community radio services.
The station has to have a licence, which can be issued by the Office of Communications only to a company or other organisation, not an individual, so MSPs need not bother to put in their own bids. Currently, there are 18 Ofcom-licensed community stations in Scotland—they have a voluntary secretariat in the Scottish Community Broadcasting Network—and there are 18 applications for licences in the current round. SCBN stations are also collaborating this year to provide live coverage of the Edinburgh book festival and, indeed, for their sins, already carry “The Week in Holyrood”.
Most community radio stations can carry advertising and sponsorship, although at least half their income must come from other areas. A few stations may not carry advertising as they overlap with existing commercial radio services. That is currently the position that TD1 in Galashiels finds itself in because of the coverage of Radio Borders.
As always, funding is the nitty-gritty, and the overview of community radio that the Government commissioned—to which I have already referred—which was intended to assist policy development in support of these services, homes in on the issue of the lack of finance. One of its findings on funding says:
“Both station managers and volunteers drew attention to how lack of finance affects their ability to service and purchase equipment, pay licence fee charges, recruit paid staff, pay volunteer expenses”
and so on.
The findings also highlighted difficulties with accessing arts funding and securing advertising revenue, a lack of awareness about funding opportunities and a need for assistance with accessing wider funding pools.
That brings me to the community radio fund, under the Ofcom umbrella, which has £500,000 a year to allocate. Applications for funding must be in by 12 May. The fund provides support for equipment, management, training and so on.
Community radio is good for the communities it serves. Is it good for Parliamentarians? Think hustings. For example, during the last election, Black Diamond recorded one hustings that I took part in and, continuing the voluntary work that is done by community radio, Sunny Govan Radio is holding a local elections hustings programme next week—council candidates should pin their ears back and get on the air. Dedicated broadcasters are doing the same thing across Scotland, playing a vital role in extending democracy and delivering social gain.
Really, what is the ultimate ego trip for a politician? Is it getting our picture in the paper—for the best of reasons? Is it making the lead story on the 6 o’clock news, the 9 o’clock news and all the other news slots—again, for the best of reasons? Is it being a regular pundit on “Newsnicht”? No. It must be having the air waves to ourselves for an hour or so in order to talk about ourselves and our politics, to dally with being indiscreet and to have an uninhibited choice of our own desert island discs—which is probably where some of our constituents would like us to go.
Members know that I am the shy type, but I thank both Black Diamond and TD1 for letting me loose with “Blue Suede Shoes” and other old rocker stuff. Indeed, I have just received a message—although not during my time in the chamber—with a return invitation to Black Diamond, so I am being spoiled for my record choice. I say to Mr Kidd, who is beside me, that if that is not a bribe for members to become involved with their community radio, I do not know what is.
For the avoidance of doubt and for community radio listeners who are listening on AM/FM or online, I am indeed wearing blue suede shoes but, as they are pointy toed with kitten heels and are size four and a half, they are, unfortunately, but an homage to Elvis.
Thank you for an irrepressible contribution once again.
17:11
I will quote what Ofcom said in answer to the question, “What is community radio?”. It stated:
“Community radio stations are radio services which provide community benefits and run on a not-for-profit basis. Generally stations are focused on broadcasting to and involving their own particular community ... Stations involve local volunteers in providing the service, and bring community benefits such as training and community news and discussion. They generally have a small coverage area (usually up to a 5km radius).”
I wanted to quote that because it is a great introduction to East Dunbartonshire Radio in my constituency. East Dunbartonshire Radio is taking its first, tentative steps from the Bishopbriggs media centre, which is the home of Cue and Review—“Print Speaking to the Blind” and is where national newspapers and magazines are recorded. In October this year, it will celebrate its 30th anniversary. What better way of celebrating an anniversary than taking to the airwaves, rather than just with discs and tapes? At this point, we should pay tribute to the founding chairman of Cue and Review, Alastair McPhee.
In July, East Dunbartonshire Radio will begin broadcasting from 8 am until midnight every day of the week. There will be a trial in mid-May. I hope that many folk will listen to it, join in over the internet and send in their comments.
East Dunbartonshire Radio really is working hard to fulfil all the criteria in Ofcom’s description. It already has nearly 30 volunteers, who are working to get the station up and running in July. Audio, video and media graduates have volunteered and are using the skills that they have learned at university to pay back their community. The station also hopes to involve the pupils of Bishopbriggs academy.
One thing that delights me about East Dunbartonshire Radio’s work in my community is that it has worked with the East Dunbartonshire community volunteer service, which I worked for a few years ago. That has given it access to more than 400 voluntary organisations throughout my constituency. Like Ms Grahame, people in those 400 voluntary organisations will be able to put on their blue suede shoes and broadcast across my constituency to let folk know the good work that they do and the services that they offer to my constituents.
An exciting thing that East Dunbartonshire Radio proposes is the setting up of a Scottish radio training school in which there will be courses offered for complete beginners all the way through to advanced-level courses. The courses will be highly practical and will feature a mix of lectures, workshops and one-to-one coaching. East Dunbartonshire Radio is holding its hands out to the community and offering something back to it.
I wish East Dunbartonshire Radio well in its trial in mid-May. I hope that when it begins to broadcast in July, the people of my constituency and people throughout Scotland will enjoy the benefits of that radio station.
17:14
I, too, congratulate Christine Grahame on securing a debate on a topic that I cannot remember ever having been raised in the Parliament.
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the reception that Ms Grahame referred to. Like her, I was not particularly familiar with community radio until a few years ago. Most people are of course familiar with local radio and the role that it plays in providing local news, information, and, in some cases, advertising to listeners in a particular region or locality. Most local radio is commercial, although in some instances it is provided by public service broadcasting.
Community radio, as Christine Grahame described, is smaller and a bit different. I also thought that it was newer, but community radio does not seem to be quite as new as I understood it to be. In 2002, the Radio Authority—the regulator—piloted 15 stations, initially for a year, to test what was, at the time, called access radio. The licences were extended in 2003 and 2004 and Ofcom issued a consultation on creating community radio. As Christine Grahame said, the service remains not for profit.
In Dumfries, Alive Christian Radio was formed in 2004. It was the brainchild of pastor Mark Smith, of the Church of Life, and fellow Christian David Currie. Their aim, as the name suggests, was to have a Christian radio station broadcasting on the FM bandwidth in the Dumfries area. The group initially had restricted service licences, but in May 2007 it applied for a community radio licence. I supported the application and I was pleased to say that it was confirmed by Ofcom.
Broadcasting on the new frequency of 107.3 FM began on 1 September 2009 and Alive’s focus changed from serving Christians in the Dumfries area to serving the community as a whole. Alive Radio still relies on volunteers, and young people who might want to work in radio can volunteer and get experience, which they can include on their CVs should they want to go on to study or apply for jobs. The station’s website says:
“We’re run by a bunch of enthusiastic people from in and around Dumfries, seeking to build community spirit and help people feel good about living here.”
What an excellent sentiment.
Alive Radio normally broadcasts from 7 am until 9 pm. In addition to the FM broadcast in Dumfries, it is available in Dumfries and Galloway royal infirmary on hospital radio and online on its website to anyone who wants to listen.
The station’s content is mostly music, but it also transmits local news, views and information. I have been on “Alive Drivetime”, but I must say that no one invited any indiscretions—perhaps that is because the station still has a Christian ethos. In addition to live broadcasting, the station’s website has a lot of local information about what is going on. For example, this week there is a warning from the police about the high incidence of bogus callers. There is all sorts of useful information for residents.
When I stay over in Edinburgh I stay in Leith, whose community radio station used to be called Leith FM. The station was renamed, apparently because it had a bad reputation—I do not know whether Ms Grahame was ever on it, saying something—
I hope so.
Perhaps she was.
I will end with an anecdote that illustrates the value of community radio. On Monday night, my daughter found a lost dog outside the flat—I know that Christine Grahame has had a similar experience. The story about how we eventually reunited the dog with its anxious owners is beyond the scope of this debate, but the owners told us that among other things that they had done to try to locate the dog, they had gone to Leith FM and asked the station to broadcast the fact that the dog was missing. In addition to all the other good things that community radio does, it can provide an individual service to help to reunite lost dogs with their owners. What a heartwarming tale.
Miraculous. Thank you.
17:19
How do I follow that?
I am grateful to Christine Grahame for bringing the debate to Parliament. In response to her question about how MSPs can use community radio, I can tell her that during the Westminster election in 2010 I was invited to appear on Mearns FM, which covers part of the constituency that I was seeking to be elected to represent. I attended a hustings along with a certain Alex Johnstone MSP, Sir Robert Hill Smith and—I hope that I will be forgiven for this, but I cannot remember the name of the Labour candidate. I dare say that many people in the constituency of West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine cannot remember his name either.
Did my appearance on community radio do me any good? That is what Christine Grahame wants to know. It did: I was not elected to the House of Commons. It increased the vote of the Scottish National Party, but I was probably fortunate not to have been elected to serve as an MP at Westminster, because if I had been I would not be here in the Scottish Parliament. I am delighted to be here and still feel privileged to serve my constituency as an MSP.
I hold community radio very dear. I thank Fiona McLeod for taking me down memory lane. Many years ago—a good 30 years ago now—I was one of the first recipients of Cue and Review Recording Services in my days in Strathclyde. One of my darling daughters once said to me, when I was going to be on the radio, “Dad, you have a face for radio.” I am sure that it was a compliment and not a derogatory remark.
What impresses me about community radio is the opportunity that it gives communities to engage. It is also for young people a first stepping stone to the world of radio, which is about bringing sound to people, and it gives them an introduction to its technical aspects. I have met many young people who are enthusiastic about community radio and who will probably become the DJs of tomorrow.
Many retired people engage with community radio. They use it as a forum for talking about issues that relate to their age group and topics that are of interest to them, which are often historical or cultural, or involve people going down memory lane. Community radio has a perfect role to play in our communities, and I would certainly support any community that wanted to introduce it in its community.
I conclude by again thanking Christine Grahame, although I will not give her a rendition of the Elvis song, “Blue Suede Shoes”.
17:22
I thank Christine Grahame for bringing the issue of community radio to the chamber. Today, she has almost become a chamber community broadcaster in her own right, so it is entirely fitting that she has spoken to a motion on the issue.
Community radio stations provide an important voice for communities across the UK. I must confess that I was not particularly knowledgeable about them, but I made it my business to find out more about them. I am hugely impressed, because they not only serve geographic communities but reflect the diverse character of communities and their cultures. They are manned by committed and enthusiastic individuals, and they provide a wealth of local information to their listeners. It is important that much of the content of their broadcasts is popular with, and relevant to, a specific local audience and may not be covered by commercial or mass-media broadcasters. Because community radio is run on a not-for-profit basis, all the profits are invested back into delivery of future local radio services. Benefit to the community is at the heart of its activities.
Interestingly, community radio aims not to talk at the local community, but to engage with it, which is an attractive aspect. I was struck by the passion of Christine Grahame and Dennis Robertson for politicians getting involved in it, but I sound a note of caution, in that listeners might not have the same enthusiasm for such participation as they would have for pet owners being reunited with their long-lost pets, which Elaine Murray mentioned.
Another virtue of community radio stations is their diversity. Some concentrate on a particular area or a particular genre of music or culture, while others aim to attract younger audiences, religious communities or the Armed Forces and their families. Interestingly, according to Ofcom, to date 228 community radio licences have been issued in the UK and around 11 million people can now tune in to community stations across the UK. That shows just what a popular medium community radio is.
The Scottish community broadcasting network, which was established in 2007, supports community radio projects in Scotland. As Christine Grahame said, there are currently 18 community radio stations across Scotland. I think that I featured on Glasgow’s Sunny Govan Community Radio; I certainly recollect that it was a great experience.
In my regional constituency area, 3TFM Community Radio for Health broadcasts to the people of Stevenston, Saltcoats and Ardrossan. With a primary focus on promoting health, 3TFM takes volunteers from the three towns and surrounding areas who are interested in different aspects of broadcasting and it provides training in presentation, radio production and administration. 3TFM has a wide and varied schedule and regular shows include “Manic Mondays”, “Musical Spirit,” “Community Sounds” and “3TFM Jukebox”. It all seems to me to be a great example of broadcasting innovation and community commitment.
Pulse 98.4 is another community radio station in my area. It is a not-for-profit community radio station that is based in Barrhead, in East Renfrewshire. It broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The original emphasis was on youth participation, but that has broadened out and it has a full-time community radio licence. It has a huge contribution to make, including in training. In my opinion, it is not just a medium for communication but a training provider and a presence that helps to knit the community together. Fiona McLeod comprehensively covered East Dunbartonshire Radio.
I applaud all efforts to empower local communities, and community radio is an example of that as it provides local communities with a platform to discuss local issues and communicate with others in their areas. I both recognise and congratulate all the volunteers across Scotland who work hard to run the radio shows and to provide training to those who are interested in progressing in broadcasting.
17:26
I give Mearns FM its second mention and I congratulate Christine Grahame on lodging an important motion. I thank her for the reception on community radio a few weeks back, which she was good enough to start on.
I want to talk about Mearns FM because its history teaches us an important lesson or two. Stonehaven Community Radio first transmitted in July 1994 from the old primary school toilet block in the community centre playground. At that time community stations could operate only for 28 days at a time and the licence cost a substantial £1,000. The station proved to be a very popular activity for the young and the participants were in their teens. In 1996 and 1998 the operation was repeated, with the highlight being 17-year-old presenter Ross Gilligan interviewing Billy Connolly in the community centre.
After 1998, community radio fell silent as a result of high costs, but when five-year community radio licences were introduced in 2004, Stonehaven started again. At that stage, volunteers decided to apply for an ambitious three transmitters in order that they could cover the wide geographical area that the station now covers. Volunteers play a crucial role in community radio, which would not operate without them. Not only does volunteering make community radio work, it provides opportunities for volunteers to learn, which is a huge part of what goes on. I take this opportunity to welcome to the public gallery Steve Holt, who is one of the volunteers and fixed parts at Mearns FM. Good evening, Steve.
Stonehaven Community Radio was reborn as Mearns FM on 6 June 2009, which coincided with the annual Stonehaven feein market, which is an old tradition that involves potential agricultural workers coming down to the middle of the town to be fee’d, or hired, by local landowners.
Community radio can assist in a vast number of areas, but particularly in providing training opportunities. Time does not allow me to say all that can be done in that regard. However, I point out that Mearns FM constructed a studio in the sixth-year common room at Mackie academy, which is the local Stonehaven secondary school. Every school day during lunchtime the youngsters broadcast live from there, picking up on their own interests and music and what is happening in their area.
I understand that Mearns FM is also beginning to broadcast to the local Polish community, which seems to me to be an apt use of such a radio station. If the Polish-speaking community knows that there is a particular time in the week when it will have input, one can see that they will very quickly gel and, indeed, find the right volunteers to do that. That seems to be enormously important.
To pick up on the issue of politics, I too have been interviewed on Mearns FM in the context of hustings. They are hugely valuable opportunities for listeners to work out what their politicians are about.
I am not sure that I really understand the benefit of shoes on the radio, because it seems to me that unless they are squeaky shoes they are not actually going to make a contribution. I have a pair of special shoes that are organ-playing shoes. They are not squeaky because I would rather people heard what was coming out of the pedals rather than my feet hitting them.
The ability for the four candidates for Angus North and Mearns to be in the Mearns FM studio, to be interviewed by the redoubtable Ken Venters, to make our pitch and to be recorded where necessary by other folk seems to me to be bringing politics to the people and that is an important part of what community radio can contribute.
17:31
I congratulate Christine Grahame on securing the debate and am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this discussion on the undoubted benefits of the significant expansion of community radio in Scotland.
Radio has been a lifelong interest of mine and, as my entry in the register of members’ interests states, I am a holder of an advanced amateur radio licence. Therefore, the technical issues behind providing radio within a community are well known to me. I know well not only the technical issues but the benefits of community radio. Amateur radio is referred to as the global village, as friendships are made all over the short waves. I have been to a wedding in Italy and hosted friends from Japan, Colorado and Sweden, all of whom I have met through the radio waves.
Like amateur radio, community radio must be licensed—and for good reasons. With amateur radio, there are restrictions on power outputs, the frequencies that one can use and the purposes for which one can use the radio: no playing of music, no political purposes and, like community radio, no commercial purposes. Hence the name amateur radio. The last restriction causes an issue for community radio stations. They cannot advertise to gain financial support for expensive equipment and nor can the disc jockeys and presenters take a wage to cover their time. They have to fundraise to cover all the costs that are associated with setting up a radio station: computers, mixers, radios, recording equipment and licence fees, to name but a few.
Generate Radio in Duns went to great lengths to raise £1,500 when Kyle Wilson and Oscar McAndrew of the station both jumped out of an aeroplane at 10,000 feet earlier this month. I would not recommend that too many members do that—well, maybe some members. At Ieast Kyle and Oscar were both kitted out with parachutes and landed safely.
TD1 Radio in Galashiels, which Christine Grahame mentioned, is one of the many fledgling community radio stations that have faced such problems well. It has gained lottery funding and funding from local donors. I have worked with the station for many years. At the moment, it is available only online, but it has lodged a request for an aerial site and a frequency that it can use with an Ofcom licence. I hope that Ofcom makes a speedy positive response to allow Galashiels to have its much-awaited community radio on the airwaves. The station also hopes to share a mast on Meigle Hill, and I hope that it is successful in that pursuit.
It may surprise some members to learn that the first community radio licence was launched only in November 2005. There has been some confusion about that. That was when Ofcom gave the first licence, but community radio has been on the go for many years, but not always licensed. I will leave it at that. There are now about 200 licensed stations throughout the UK, which highlights just how successful the format has become, and the numbers are on the increase.
East Coast FM is seen all over East Lothian at community events, as is East Lothian FM. Alive Radio from Dumfries, which Elaine Murray mentioned, covers all the local issues, including difficult ones. If members are in that area tomorrow, they can tune in to 107.3MHz at 9 am to hear from the Doonhamers’ director.
I am impressed with Jim Hume’s command of the technical information. He has hidden that light under another bushel.
There are many things about me that the member does not know.
Christine Grahame also mentioned Black Diamond FM, which broadcasts out of Midlothian and is, like the other stations, always looking for interesting stories from locals that they themselves can present. Indeed, for some, community radio can act as a springboard into a professional career.
Coming from no licences at all to around 2,000 and increasing, community radio is clearly growing. Like Christine Grahame, I look forward to a positive response from the cabinet secretary and a sign from the Government that it will happily work to support community radio networks as much as possible.
17:35
I congratulate Christine Grahame on securing this debate. I attended her excellent reception and certainly learned a lot about community radio. Having lived in Govan in Glasgow, I thought that I knew a wee bit about the issue, but certainly did not realise how vast its expanse is in Scotland.
Jim Hume with his knowledge might correct me but, casting my mind back, I seem to remember that many years ago community radio was known as pirate radio. I remember listening to Radio Luxembourg, Radio Caroline and one that was quite close to my heart and possibly the hearts of others in my party: Radio Free Scotland, which was broadcast from under a pull-down bed in a single end somewhere in Glasgow. I will not tell the chamber whose house it was broadcast from. Those pioneers were very popular in their day, and I am so glad that we got round to giving such stations a licence and calling them community radio instead.
A number of stations have already been mentioned, but I would like to mention two in my Glasgow Kelvin constituency. Radio Awaz is absolutely fantastic; in fact, I should give it a plug and say that I have just sent a letter of support for its licence to be continued for the next five years. It does an excellent job not only on cultural diversity but in tackling other serious topics. For example, only a couple of weeks ago, it tackled forced marriage and got Nicola Sturgeon on to discuss the issue.
The other station in the Kelvin constituency that I want to mention is the fantastic Celtic Music Radio—[Interruption.] That was a slip of the tongue—I meant to say “Keltic”, not “Seltic”. They might well get some calls about that. The station broadcasts aspects of our culture as well as other serious issues, including politics. In fact, during the 2010 general election, it broadcast a programme on political protest songs with the suggestion that, instead of singing a protest song, people should just get out and vote. These two fantastic radio stations work very closely with the community.
I cannot finish without mentioning Sunny Govan Community Radio. As Annabel Goldie will know, having appeared on it herself, most of us from the area affectionately call it “Sunny Go-Van”. It is very close to the hearts of the people of Govan and does fantastic work not only in broadcasting to and serving the community, but in creating opportunities for people by training them and steering them perhaps towards a career in radio. Indeed, Elaine Murray, Nigel Don and Jim Hume made the same point about the community radio stations in their areas. I am not sure, though, whether the people of Sunny Govan get to chase after lost dogs and reunite them with their owners.
Finally, on opportunities, our Liberal Democrat colleague said that he knows a lot about radio—indeed, he does. If we can have an MSP who has such excellent knowledge of working in community radio, perhaps we can have people working in community radio becoming MSPs.
17:39
I, too, congratulate Christine Grahame on securing the debate. She has a long record of promoting local radio and television interests, not least in her work with other members in pressing for improvements in Scottish programming for the part of the south of Scotland that is served by ITV rather than STV. Indeed, she led a previous members’ business debate on that issue, and it is good to see her returning to media issues. I know that she has long taken a personal interest in community radio and that, just last month, she hosted a reception in the Scottish Parliament for community radio, as was mentioned.
As the debate has made clear, many other members also have a close personal interest in community radio. Speakers from across Scotland—particularly Jim Hume—talked with real knowledge and enthusiasm about community radio in their regions and constituencies. I hope to pick up on some of the points that they made. I believe that the respect that members have for community radio mirrors the respect that people throughout the country have for it, and the value that they place on it.
It was only in 2005 that licensing of community radio began in the UK. It is a relatively short time since then, but we now have just under 20 community radio stations broadcasting across Scotland, and we hope to have more soon following Ofcom’s current round of issuing new licences. In many respects, that is a tribute to the continuing passion and commitment that have been demonstrated by community radio supporters for many years. In the light of that, I take this opportunity to commend the work that the Scottish community broadcasting network does in advocating for the sector.
Community radio in Scotland matters. That is one reason why we published research last month entitled “‘We are Community Builders, Part of The Fabric’: A Review of Community Radio”, which documents this remarkable sector. Experience overseas and in Scotland is that community radio is proving its worth every day in a variety of ways. It is mandated to serve the underserved and give a voice to local communities. It can be an agent of change, a supporter of young people and the disenfranchised, a training ground for broadcasters—I was interested to hear what Fiona McLeod said about that with reference to her local radio station—and a source of opportunities for diverse communities of interest.
In our public attitudes to broadcasting research in 2009, just under half of the respondents regarded community radio as important, and we should bear it in mind that we are still in the early days of community radio. Although support in areas where community radio does not yet have a presence was fairly soft, it was noticeably higher in areas such as the Highlands and Islands and the north of Scotland, which have strong local identities and are perhaps occasionally less fully served by media that are based in larger cities.
My colleague Nigel Don mentioned Steve Holt from Mearns FM. I understand from speaking to him earlier today that the Government pays for some broadcasting on local radio stations in the central belt but not for broadcasting on stations outwith it. Will the cabinet secretary look into that?
Fiona McLeod’s local radio station might want to contact shmu FM in Aberdeen, which has been training disadvantaged youngsters for many years. I have often been to its graduation ceremonies in the town house, which are excellent. Its work gives young people confidence that they did not have before.
I appreciate both those points. I am happy to look into the former, and I will come on to mention some of the things that the Government has done to help financially.
In relation to my previous comments, I congratulate stations such as Bute FM, Mearns FM, Speysound Radio and the Super Station in Orkney.
Community radio is also of huge value in our towns and cities. It provides a unique service that goes beyond what is broadcast by larger media interests. Stations such as shmu FM in Aberdeen, which Maureen Watt mentioned, and Sunny Govan Radio—I am not sure about the pronunciation, but if Sandra White says that that is how you say it, that is how you say it—show what can be done to maintain a sense of local community in large urban areas, as do 3TFM in Saltcoats, Black Diamond FM in Midlothian, Dunoon Community Radio and Pulse Community Radio in Barrhead, which Annabel Goldie mentioned. They show how stations can serve both local towns and their rural hinterlands.
Of course, communities are not just location based, as there are communities of common interest, faith or origin. Edinburgh Garrison FM serves military families in the Edinburgh area and, at a time of increasing postings and reducing expenditure, we can imagine what a positive impact it must have on family morale. Celtic Music Radio in Glasgow serves those who are interested in traditional music; Insight Radio in Glasgow provides support and advice to people with disabilities; Alive Radio in Dumfries, as we heard from Elaine Murray, and Revival Radio in Glasgow specialise in religious broadcasting; and, as Sandra White set out, Awaz FM in Glasgow was in 2010 the first community radio station to win the Queen’s award for voluntary service for its work with the Asian community.
With such good work happening, there is rich potential for the sector to grow and become a vital part of communities across Scotland. It is interesting to note that the early days of community radio happened at about the same time as the current Administration was formed. I am not claiming that community radio was the Scottish Parliament’s achievement; that could not be because we know that the regulation of broadcasting is still reserved to Westminster. However, if we had greater responsibility, imagine what we could do to support the community radio sector.
My ministerial colleagues and I took a strong interest in community radio, so one of the first things that we did was to increase the amount of advertising on community radio—perhaps that was what Maureen Watt referred to—to help to increase resource and to get our message out to people. Most notably, we increased advertising in community radio by 48 per cent in 2009-10 to £129,000, and in the following year we increased that to £134,000.
We are generally interested in community radio and we must remark on the energy and achievements of the sector to date. However, we know that there are challenges ahead. Last month’s research study set out possibilities for further progress. Money is tight and, in what I thought was an impressive speech, Jim Hume set out some of the challenges. There are, however, opportunities for mutual support across stations and between larger broadcasters and community stations, like the BBC’s support for Sunny Govan Radio. I have met representatives from community radio and I want to maintain that dialogue. I look forward to working with the sector and developing greater mutual support to see community radio advance.
The debate has been extremely useful. It has celebrated community radio, but it has also given us some direction. More important, we have seen a cross-party commitment to community radio. Community radio has a positive future in Scotland.
Meeting closed at 17:46.