The Wire

Community radio across the country has been broadcasting on digital radio since 2011. But community radio’s digital broadcasts are under threat. An expected funding rise to pay for the sector’s transition to digital radio was suddenly scaled back in the last budget, leaving a $1.4m funding shortfall. This shortfall could now mean that community radio’s digital broadcasts will be switched off in two of Australia’s major capital cities.

The cuts run contrary to previous enthusiastic support from Senator Steven Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. But what does it mean for community radio stations if they disappear off the digital radio spectrum?