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Digital Radio is on its way and amongst the debate on its nature as a new techno medium it seemed inevitable that this brief post was a must. Do not be fooled folks this is not an infomercial of any sort, nor a pro-biased media techno post, but a simple post coming from a consumer with a passion for any gadget which the world kindly provides us with. Therefore, I have decided not to give a brief background of the policies surrounding this issue in Australia, as it is another story for another post, but rather I thought I’d discuss what people want, or more precisely what a junk-techno-centric-electric- human-collector would want.
The perfect piece of equipment that one can ask for is a Digital Radio. Well, since we have digital TV why not get a digital radio? As I come to think about this, I come to accept that converging technology is best. Forget about growing up with the traditional-conservative ideas such as, the more the worse, or plastic-schmastic, and less is best. Alright I admit, overall, I may not buy a digital radio since I can get broadcast and podcasts from the internet, albeit, I would with out any doubt in mind buy a Digital Radio that comes with an alarm clock, CD player, DAB /FM/AM bandwidth, wireless/Bluetooth, ipod and USB compatible, touch screen, sleek black and brown velvet like colored beauty. Furthermore, the sound quality must be exceptional, with a convenient and easy to use remote control, audio/stereo input for external speakers, and most importantly, we must not forget to add that it must be a green device for environmentally-friendly green people.
As a skeptical person perhaps this piece of technology is not good enough, or too much to ask for? It may even increase the need to fund community radio stations, create more jobs for the Australian Digital Radio Project that is under way, or ACMA, CBAA, and even perhaps provide a means for more licenses to emerging stations? Alternatively, this is a dying medium that we should all dismiss. To conclude, so tell me, what is the problem again with digital radio, if you can receive your weather reports, music notifications, and analog time? Well, in the words of Bugs Bunny…That’s all folks!
Dr Jones, Dr Jones, Calling Dr Jones, Get up now, Wake up now. It has been over ten years since the release of Aqua’s Doctor Jones and Barbie Girl. Sure, I will admit that this song is reminiscent of the 1990s good-or-bad. However, if I measure this song against a mood-ring, there is a possibility that I will make the front page or the Book of World Records for the angriest citizen, and it doesn’t stop at Aqua. My mood-ring tells me that Community Radio Station and their ‘Weather, Traffic and News reporting’ give me the same symptoms as listening to Aqua’s music. There is no quality, it is not interesting, and the change of tone of the presenter’s voice, sounds like the radio host has suddenly lost their enthusiasm. That is not to say that all programs are like this, but alas, many are.
Therefore, can some tell them to please wake up? Community Radio is on the rise, so the quality must be exceptional. It just wouldn’t be morally right, if a one presented the weather and claimed that today’s weather brings us blue skies, a sun and clouds, alas as a community radio listener 24/7 I have come across this statement countless times.
My question that goes out to all the people involved in the media industry is that, why can’t community radio stations, or more precisely the presenters, producers, and programmers provide good quality reporting? I am not suggesting that community stations don’t have good informative programs. I am simply saying that their platform can be very disorganized, invaluable, and inaccessible. On the one hand, this confirms their lack of funding in producing the best quality radio, but that is not to say that the host can’t use other media sources as the internet or newspapers that for example, display the weather reports. Similarly, adlibs are a skill that presenters choose to do, although this can be useful, it can also provide for bad quality reporting, and as a consequence the listener receives lazy reporting.
Although this Blog is dedicated to Independent Radio programming, I would like to make a note about the recent Australian Commercial Radio Awards. It does not come to my surprise that on the 10th of October 09, when the Awards were announced, Hamish and Andy won ‘Best on Air Team’ for the second time in row. If you have listened to their show on 2DAY FM Drive Time, you can easily hear that slight voice that says independent radio. Speaking of which before their show had the ability to be Googled, and wikipeadiated, they began their career from working on community shows. Apparently, a program that they did was aired on Channel 31 in Melbourne. I happened to be searching various Blog sites, and found a blog that is based on Hamish and Andy's chronological experiences in life. This Blog by on Blogger.com states that, [QUOTE]“Radio Karate won an award in 2004 at a community television award thing. Soon after the big guys were after Hamish and Andy. The duo got a national show on the Seven Network.” (the link to this site and quote is found here)
In this case, Hamish and Andy simply show that the best medium to start with in the media realm, would be going straight into community and independent work. However, what is most intriguing is whether it is the independent medium that made them Stars or their personas, and their natural comedy flair? I am sure that when they were on community radio, or TV, they had done some adlibbing, albeit, they would have at least prepared before hitting the air waves. Overall, it is the scripting that makes for good radio announcing. Whether this is done through a production line as Hamish and Andy demonstrate with the announcers working on their script as well, or through pre-recorded tests and practices, the final result will certainly amount to getting satisfied listeners, and a blue, relaxed coloured mood ring for me.
Anyone involved in community radio will understand when I say that, we confront a significant number of challenges and problems, but at the same time, we have a range of opportunities to take advantage and make the most of. I speak from experience when expressing our passion for radio. In that we, the low-key presenters, want to give the best of music, arts, entertainment, and culture to the community. How we go about doing this, and how we keep the momentum following lays a mystery, and will be the purpose of these various segments.
To begin with I will expose a bit about myself, starting at the age of seventeen. One fine morning, I woke up to a revelation that changed the course of my life. Art was just a hobby for me. I had studied art up to year 10 following a decision to discontinue study in the creative sphere. So, during the morning of my revelation as first-year student at university I was certainly enjoying my studies, but I needed something creative and desperately more satisfying. Therefore, after some researching I decided to complete a Certificate at my local radio station. A year later, I completed a Radio Broadcasting Course at College, and three years later I am still trying to work out the type of show I want to do.
Essentially, in these series of posts, my aim is to inspire for those who desire, musical attire. I aim to keep Whitlam’s legacy of building a nation of opportunities. His words,
“It's time for a new team, a new program, a new drive for equality of opportunities: it's time to create new opportunities for Australians, time for a new vision,” is my inspiration for these Blogs, as I feel that it is about time we began a Blog on Community Programming, and quality, as there aren’t many around. Furthermore, licenses for community Radio termed ‘public broadcasting’ were mostly issued in 1974 in Whitlam’s Government and since then it is evident that Community Stations are back on the menu, with more licenses being issued. I have taken these facts, from the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia Handbook (CBAA's website is found here
"Do I have to yell? I will repeat, the trees are staged in the middle next to the fountain!" The director glances around, and suddenly a statute appears from behind the curtains. A loud voice shatters the entire place,
"Be gentle carrying the statute of Johann Strauss, do not damage any part of it!" And so the stage slowly develops into a reality, a creation molded by the Man Made synthetic coupled with the Natural
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