Allocation of four community radio broadcasting licences for ... - ACMA

significantly higher level of Australian music than is currently required under both
the Commercial Radio Codes of Practice and the Community Broadcasting Code of
Practice. Under the Commercial Radio Codes of Practice, not less than 25% of
music played by services whose predominant format is 'mainstream rock, album
oriented rock, contemporary hits, top 40 and alternative', must be Australian, and
under the Community Broadcasting Code of Practice, not less than 20% of music
played on stations 'with diverse formats serving the general community' must be
Australian.
The ABA has concerns about Hitz FM’s previous CD contracts with a record
company. Such contract appears to have the potential to influence its playlist. The
contract required Hitz FM to promote the CD on air and through other avenues, and
to play one song off the CD at the top of each hour where possible. At the licence
hearing, Hitz FM indicated that tracks on the CD are at least part reflective of the
overall music policy of the station. The ABA is concerned that the contractual
obligation to promote the CD may conflict with Hitz FM’s representation of the
music interests of its community.
The ABA received 1,165 letters of support for Hitz FM, of which 974 are from
individuals, 160 from businesses, 29 from organisations and two from politicians.
Hitz FM also provided two petitions of support containing 36,898 signatures in total.
Joy Melbourne Inc
JOY’s community of interest is the gay and lesbian communities of Melbourne, and
those who identify with, or are allied to, the gay and lesbian community (particularly
transgender and bisexual individuals and organisations). Its community also includes
the friends and families of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population.
Accordingly, JOY maintains that its organisation concurrently serves the interests of the
wider GLBT community.
JOY’s mission statement describes the service as a “gay and lesbian volunteer-based
community radio station, committed to providing a voice for the diverse gay and lesbian
communities, enabling freedom of expression, the breaking down of isolation, and the
celebration of [their] culture, achievements and pride”.
JOY indicates that it caters to all sectors of its diverse community in terms of age,
geography, social status, education, family structure, cultural and ethnicity.
In its application, JOY asserts that the needs of its community are:
• to be entertained and informed by members of their own community and to
access a central point of contact for anyone within that community;
• to be informed about physical and emotional health issues specific to the
GLBT community;
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