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Celebrating the release of Beyond Broadcasting: Community media response to emergencies

Joshua Cole, 11th October 2022
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Fires, floods, and COVID-19 have made for a tough few years for Australians, especially those in regional and remote communities. Amid these disasters and public health challenges, community media has been essential in getting local, timely news out to those who need it most. 

PDF icon Beyond Broadcasting: Community media response to emergencies is a new report that features case studies of a range of community media outlets’ response to those recent incidents; with stations including Braidwood FM, Vision Australia Radio, Umeewarra Radio, 99.9 Live FM and several more.

As the report’s name implies, community media went beyond broadcasting during these trials, with volunteers sleeping on station floors, supporting local charities, and driving vaccinations in their local areas.

A key insight from Beyond Broadcasting is that community media organisations are unique in their ability to use local knowledge and connections to consult with local communities. This also means the community media sector at large can work closely with government bodies to enhance its emergency broadcast and support services.

Of course, while the past four years have been uniquely challenging, the publication highlights just a few examples of the important work done by community media. Those services also regularly issue cyclone warnings, evacuation alerts, advice on road closures and essential information on clinic services.

CBAA would like to thank everyone who took part in the report’s case studies, as well as the staff, volunteers and the communities around Australia who make it all possible. 

Beyond Broadcasting: Community media response to emergencies was prepared by CBAA in partnership with the members of the Community Broadcasting Sector Roundtable:

 

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