The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has accepted two court-enforceable undertakings from Tamworth-based community radio station 2YOU after finding numerous breaches of broadcasting and radiocommunications rules.
ACMA investigations found 2YOU breached two broadcasting laws including the Broadcasting Service Act 1992 by failing to broadcast a range of programming that adequately catered to the community’s needs and its licence conditions by broadcasting advertisement and exceeding sponsorship time limits.
ACMA investigations have found 2YOU to be in breach of several broadcasting and radiocommunications rules.
The associated court-enforceable undertaking requires the licensee to provide BSA compliance training to all relevant members and staff of 2YOU, and to establish systems and processes to maintain and record broadcasting sponsorship announcements, community information and promotional material.
The station must also provide evidence that it has given programming opportunities to members of the community and has implemented a community consultation and engagement plan.
Tamworth Broadcast Services CEO George Frame told Prime Seven, 2YOU’s latest AGM had covered the areas in contention and said if ACMA believes there is a better way to do it, then they will do so correctly in the future.
ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said that community radio stations were expected to ensure their staff and volunteers are aware of and comply with the conditions of their broadcasting licence.
“The range of breaches we have found suggests that 2YOU has a lot of work to do to get its compliance in order,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
“Community radio operators provide vital services and opportunities to local audiences and residents. We expect them to follow the rules and will take action when this does not occur.”
A separate investigation also found the station breached the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (RA) for increasing the power of its broadcasting transmitter beyond the maximum allowed without adequate justification.
As a result, 2YOU entered into a second court-enforceable undertaking requiring it to submit to regular ACMA audits to assess the technical characteristics of its radiocommunications transmitters.
The ACMA will monitor 2YOU’s compliance with its licence conditions over the next 12 months.
If the licensee fails to comply with the enforceable undertakings the ACMA may consider commencing Federal Court proceedings.
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