RLO transmitter site owner gets probation

A.M I was thinking that the financing come from the Govt and from public donations. (Fund drives and the likes) local business' could cover all or a portion of the cost of a programs production cost in return for a mention on the show as a supporter..
I would also have it advert free just as Public Radio is in the US. Check out WWW.NPR.ORG for an idea of something along the lines if not exactly what I am talking about.

There you go.. a good suggestion.. a community based radio. But who would fund it?

John, there is a precedent for what you suggest. It's called - if I'm correct -LPFM (LowPower FM) and is very popular in Italy and The Netherlands here in Europe, while it is also a popular means of radio in parts of North America & Australia. Transmission area is 4 to 10km, operators pay €x amount for a set frequency depending on population reach, commercial, music, talk or community format are all taken into account for the Regulatory charge. The usual bounds re content, royalties and so on are part of the licence agreement, and you're off.

I agree that Arts Council funding could be availed of, but would prefer if a slice ( 2%) of the exorbitant RTE licence fee were put aside to helping community broadcasting, sparing them the need to look outside of local business for advertising revenue. I would insist that a strict local and cultural content be maintained. Mindful of the fact that when the initial bids were being put in, such content was promised, but not adhered to by what are now (in some cases) money making pop stations posing as local radio. For instance, when the fourth or so topic on local radio news in Limerick is "'ow Bernie from Eastenders is right chuffed at 'er coming furtiefth birthday bash at Brighton Pier Pavilion" you might understand why local people turned in droves to RLO.

ComReg would be better off setting up some provision for real community based local radio, rather than pandering to the cash machines that now masquerade as such.

Test

It's not disgraceful, there needs to be regulation of the airwaves otherwise all hell could break loose with stronger transmitters on neighbouring frequencies blocking signals of other broadcasters, and any joe schmoe setting up a transmitter.

It would be better to campaign for a legal allocation of a frequency for a small community based radio station to operate with low power output, than to just simply allow anyone that feels like it to broadcast. (That's what CB radio frequencies are for) Then with low outputs the allocated frequncy/frequencies could be used on a county by county type of system.
This would have a number of benefits, the local people could be heard as you travel around the country and there would be a legal way for people to broadcast.
I think that this should be funded by the arts council personally, as it will allow for local customs and cultures to be explored as I think it should be mandated that all programming would be local area focused only.

The issue with RLO is that they were breaking the law. People seem to be far to willing to turn their face from one type of crime regardless of the fact that its small in the grand scheme of things but only want the crimes that they dont agree with to be prosecuted. If you ask me this is one of the reasons behind the complete joke of a legal system that we have in Ireland. Its about time that people see the law as just that... The Law.

We shouldnt condone breaking the law, we should try to find a way to change it if we dont agree with it.

Just my 2bob

It's not a viable radio station for the likes of UlsterTV or Denis O'Brien and co. to ever take over due to its listenership profile, and we all know how many of the RLO faithful will tune into 24 hour Britpop and the mid-atlantic/Essex accents on the (legal) local Oirish stations. "Nointy-Foive efF emM, yoooour low-kal stay-shun" and "Spin 103 onyerdial,call 1890547558 to enter our competitionnoooooow"

Why could they not leave this radio station alone. It is designed specifically for the elderly people of the mid-west region and they tune in every night and it gives them great entertainment. They can talk with peopel their own age and they even enjoy signing songs love on air! These people grew up with the wireless and dont have much interest in tv.. It was privately sponsored but no, the evils that be cant just let them have what they want without wanting to get their claws in on the action. Its disgraceful because as I said it is privatly owned and run even creating employment. I have a relation that used to work there so I do know what I am talkign about.