Dundalk FM – building community through media
We love radio! And we love to make radio programmes. It’s a passion. It‘s a confidence builder. It’s creative and hearing your own voice on the radio – well, that certainty takes some getting used to, if ever –
We are a team of over eighty volunteers and we are looking for raw talent. You don’t know it but perhaps with a little knowledge you can be making educational and informative programmes in a few weeks from now. We want to get excellence in broadcasting standards. And we want to learn new IT skills.
None of us thought we would be joining the growing community radio movement in Ireland as a radio presenter, sound desk operator or researcher. Some of us have CD’s with radio documentaries that we recorded and edited.
Community Radio
A community broadcasting licence is granted to a non-profit organisation owned by the members who represent the local community. It cannot be sold. Community Radio stations are defined in law as
Groups whose members are representative of, and accountable to their
community, and who seek to provide a social benefit through the supply
of programming to that community on a not-for-profit basis.
Broadcasting Act 2009
Our weekly schedule contains 45% speech and 55% music and our geographical area is Dundalk and a five mile (eight kilometre) radius.
The BAI are the broadcasting regulator www.bai.ie. Their role is to ensure that stations have guidelines to ensure Programmes Standards.
Dundalk FM is a member of Craol which is a network of all the Community Radio stations in Ireland. For a list of stations and useful radio resources visit. www.craol.ie.
So now you have the basics, and the fact that you’re reading this right now – do you want to be a volunteer for Dundalk FM?
Mission
Dundalk FM is a not-for-profit, independent, friendly, community development
organisation giving voice to all in Dundalk and surrounding area. We are committed
to educate, entertain and inform through our wide range of programmes.
Vision
People who listen to Dundalk FM will hear programmes containing something of
local interest. They will find the members of the station accessible and approachable.
They will hear a laid back,’ ordinary person’ presentation style, and have access to
local news, sports and information as well as specialist music shows. Make Dundalk
FM your homepage!
Values
Equality – everyone has a right to access training and programming.
Creative – support the exchange of ideas and act as a force for cultural and
community development.
Good quality – well produced, interesting, local content.
Inclusive – welcome participation from new and established communities.
Grassroots – recruit volunteers from the Dundalk community.
Inform – report on the local environmental, economic and social issues and on local
activities, events and news of the groups and organisations in our listening area.
Encourage learning – train participants in broadcasting in a supportive atmosphere.
Evolve – welcome new ideas and keep moving forward.
Community – connect with the Dundalk Community – at home and abroad.
Sustainable– have a diverse source of income to maintain and grow the station.
Diversity – provide an interesting variety of shows for all groups.
Entertain – celebrate the music, sports, heritage and culture of Dundalk.
Central hub for the region – provide a forum open to all residents to discuss public
issues.
Development – identify and meet changing community needs