The community broadcasting sector has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to increase sector funding by $6.1m over two years.
In an interview on Melbourne community radio station 89.9 LightFM on Thursday, Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield announced additional targeted funding for digital radio ($1.9m in 2017/18 and $2m in 2018/19) and a further $2.2m focused on support for stations affected by the reorganisation of the 803-960 MHz radio frequency band.
The community radio sector recorded a record national listenership in 2017 with 5.3 million – or one in four – Australians tuning in each week.
The sector reports 450+ community radio services across the country provide a voice for those not adequately serviced by other broadcasters.