Government increases community radio funding
One in four Australians tune in to community radio every week
The community broadcasting sector has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to increase sector funding by $6.1m over two years.
In an interview on Melbourne community radio station 89.9 LightFM on Thursday, Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield announced additional targeted funding for digital radio ($1.9m in 2017/18 and $2m in 2018/19) and a further $2.2m focused on support for stations affected by the reorganisation of the 803-960 MHz radio frequency band.
The community radio sector recorded a record national listenership in 2017 with 5.3 million – or one in four – Australians tuning in each week.
The sector reports 450+ community radio services across the country provide a voice for those not adequately serviced by other broadcasters.
