| This is an audio recording of a talk by Phil Korbel, Director of Radio Regen in Manchester, speaking about his experiences of running two Access Radio stations. The talk was part of the Community Media Association’s summer Festival held on the 8-10th May 2003 at the Sheffield Showroom. This festival also celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Community Media Association. The speaker opens with some examples of the people, activities and campaigns involving Radio Regen, Wythenshawe FM and ALL FM, and highlights some of the positive effects these have had on local people’s lives. He outlines the importance of community media and the relevance of stories which fall “below mass media radar”, and the importance of media representation for all groups within a community is underlined. He goes on to detail the beginnings of Radio Regen and how people gained self confidence through training, enabling them to facilitate further community development. We also learn about different project themes, funding, and the wealth of experience gained by the people involved. He details future plans and potential hindrances for the sector, such as lack of funds and lack of FM frequencies. In conclusion, he urges people to lobby for a community media fund, to support staff and volunteers and to set up useful partnerships for the future. This recording was broadcast on ‘Festival FM’ during the festival itself; other similar recordings made at the time are also available on The Showcase, and can found by searching for ‘CMA Festival’ on The Showcase search engine page. This audio recording lasts 16 minutes and 19 seconds. |