Representatives from communities across the UK will gather at the Radisson SAS Hotel at Manchester Airport on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 February, to meet with staff from local authorities and agencies responsible for mainstream service delivery; regeneration companies;existing broadcasters and OFCOM itself. The two-day residential conference, titled "Community FM" is designed to provide a practical guide to applying for the brand new, full-time Community Radio licences, as well as studio sessions where delegates will be given assistance to create real broadcast items.
Supporters of the conference include the North West Development Agency, the Government Office North West, the European Social Fund, the BBC and the Guardian Media Group. Funding has been allocated to a Diversity Initiative which subsidises fees for individuals and smaller organisations.
Phil Korbel, Director of Radio Regen, who will be hosting the
conference said, "It is vital that we make this event accessible to as many people as possible. A network of Community Radio stations all across the UK would be an ideal means of combating disadvantage. All too often the only time deprived communities are mentioned in national broadcasts, the message is negative. We need to refocus on the positive, and what better way than by empowering people to shout their own positive messages? We have therefore subsidised fees down to as low as £30 for eligible individuals". The website www.communityfm.net carries full details of qualifying criteria.
