Family 96Five Cleared

Brisbane’s 96five had a red flag against them by ACMA but are now in the clear.

The community station had its licence renewed after giving the Australian Communications and Media Authority undertakings that will ensure ongoing community involvement in the station.

In considering whether to renew the licence of Family Radio Ltd, the licensee of 4FRB (Family 96five), ACMA noted that they had recently entered into a Deed of Agreement with Hope Media Ltd, the guys who run Hope 103.2 in Sydney.

ACMA was concerned that this agreement had the potential to limit 96Five’s capacity to comply with the community participation licence condition.

‘We want the Brisbane community to be able to continue to be involved in decision-making about the operations of the service,’ said acting ACMA Chairman, Richard Bean. ‘The Brisbane community should also be able to have a say in selecting and providing programs.’

By offering the enforceable undertakings, 96Five was able to assure ACMA that it would take the actions necessary to ensure compliance with the community participation licence condition if the licence was renewed. These include developing appropriate policies about, and reporting to the ACMA on, a range of operational and other matters.