3CRis acommunity radiostation that broadcasts on the AM band and on the digital spectrum as 3CR Digital inMelbourne,Australia.It features mainly talk-based programs with political (particularlytrade unions) and environmental themes, as well as some music and community language-based programs. Today the station hosts over 130 programs presented by over 400 volunteers.
 | |
| Broadcast area | Melbourne RA1 |
|---|---|
| Frequency | |
| Programming | |
| Languages | English |
| Format | Community access |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Community Radio Federation Limited |
| History | |
First air date | 3 July 1976 |
Former frequencies |
|
Call signmeaning | CommunityRadio |
| Technical information | |
Licensing authority | ACMA |
| Power | 3500W |
Transmitter coordinates | 37°53′11″S144°42′16″E/ 37.886459°S 144.704492°E |
| Links | |
Public licence information | Profile |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | www |
The radio station is located inSmith Street,Fitzroy, Victoria.Initially broadcasting on 837kHz,3CR now broadcasts on 855 kHz at 2 kW into a directional aerial, from a site atHoppers Crossingabout 15 km west of Melbourne.
History
editThe station's broadcasting licence was approved on 10 October 1975, by the Minister for the Media, DrMoss Cass.Test broadcasting began on 1 May 1976, and full operation began 3 July 1976 from studios in High Street, Armadale. The station was Melbourne's first such community radio station to obtain a licence.[1]
3CR begandigital broadcastingin 2010. In 2013 the station was part of the "Commit to Community Radio" campaign which successfully convinced the federal government to extend funding for community radio digital broadcasting until 2016.[2]Over 30 shows now publish a podcast on the website.
In 2016, 3CR published a history of the station titledRadical radio: Celebrating 40 years of 3CR.[3]
Controversies
editIn 1978The Bulletinaccused 3CR of being "the voice of terrorism", because of 3CR's support for the Palestinian position in theIsraeli–Palestinian conflict.[4][5]A series of meetings between 3CR, the Jewish Board of Deputies and the Public Broadcasting Association took place. As 3CR was not prepared to give in to the demands of the Jewish Board of Deputies, they initiated a full tribunal hearing about 3CR's coverage of the issue. During two weeks of a 'Fight Back' campaign in November, about 1,000 listener sponsors helped distribute nearly 500,000 leaflets throughout the Melbourne metropolitan area, supporting and outlining 3CR's views.[6]
In the mid-1990s, the station was infiltrated by undercover members of theVictoria Policewho pretended to be volunteers to gather information.[5]
Programming
editSpecial broadcasts
editSince its founding, 3CR has done regular live broadcasts from major activist events in Melbourne and beyond, including Occupy Melbourne, the S11 World Economic Forum protests, the Honeymoon Mine occupation, and union campaigns.[7]
Regular special broadcasts include:
- "Beyond the Bars" - an annual broadcast since 2001, byIndigenousprisoners from inside various men's and women's prisons[8]
- Survival Day– hosted by indigenous programmers on 26 January[9]
- Sustainable Living Festival- 3CR holds live forums from the festival every year, including environmental science expertsDavid SuzukiandClive Hamilton[10]
- International Women's Day- hosted by women on 8 March[11]
- International Day of People with Disability– 12 hours of programming by and about people living with disabilities on 3 December[12]
- Human Rights Day– 10 December[13]
Women
editIn 1986, 3CR became to first radio station in Australia to appoint a paid Women's Officer.[6]The station hosts several programmes promoting women's voices in both English and community languages, and feminist current affairs shows. It also promotes training opportunities for girls and women, such as Girls Radio Club.[14]
In July 2013, a program by Clemmie Wetherall from 'Women on the Line'[15]on family violence was recognised by the Eliminating Violence Against Women Media Awards in the category 'Best Radio News / Current Affairs'. Her piece used a well–known Hollywood incident to explore family violence and make it relevant to the ordinary person.[16]
Gay Liberation (Melbourne) was a founding member of 3CR in 1975, with the Gay Liberation Radio Collective producing their first program, and Australia's first gay radio program, in 1976. The Gay Liberation program was following by the Lesbian and Gay Show, HIV Plus (formerly Positively Primed), In Ya Face, Dykes on Mics, Out of the Pan, and Queering The Air; with lesbian, gay, trans*, and queer issues also covered in current affairs and social justice programming.
Governance
edit
3CR is run by a combination of paid staff, an oversight committee, and over 300 volunteers. Oversight is provided by a Committee of Management made up of 3CR programmers, volunteers and supporters, elected annually.[17]The station is supported by listener donations and fundraising. It does not accept commercial advertising or sponsorship.[4]
3CR is owned by the Community Radio Federation Ltd. The Federation is made up of representatives of 3CR affiliates, subscribers and station workers. It was formed at a public meeting held atThe Pram Factoryin Carlton on 23 June 1974.[6]
Awards
edit3CR has won several awards from theCommunity Broadcasting Association of Australia,including:[18][19]
- (2008) Most Innovative Outside Broadcast or Special Event Broadcast - for live coverage of the National Apology and Convergence
- (2009) Excellence in Digital Media - for the station's new website
- (2009) Contribution to Indigenous Broadcasting - for "Beyond the Bars 5"[8]
- (2010) Most Innovative Outside Broadcast or Special Event Broadcast - for Disability Day broadcast
- (2011) Excellence in Spoken Word, News and Current Affairs Programming - Earth Matters, an environmental program[20]
- (2012) Excellence in Technical/IT Services - Greg Segal
- (2012) Excellence in Training - Brainwaves, a program about mental illness[21]
- (2012) Outstanding Volunteer Contribution - Michael Smith
- (2019) Best Radio Program (Talks) - QR Code
Further reading
edit- Radical radio: celebrating 40 years of 3CR.3CR Community Radio. 2016.ISBN9780646952505.
References
edit- ^Fox, Juliet (2016).Radical radio: celebrating 40 years of 3CR / 3CR Community Radio.3CR.org.au.ISBN9780646952505.
- ^"3CR Melbourne".Commit to Community Radio.Community Broadcasting Association of Australia. Archived fromthe originalon 7 July 2013.Retrieved18 July2013.
- ^"Radical radio: celebrating 40 years of 3CR".Trove.Retrieved21 March2018.
- ^abBoyle, Peter (10 July 1991)."A voice that won't be silenced".Green Left Weekly.Retrieved19 July2013.
- ^abLallo, Michael (4 June 2009)."No right turn for 3CR in hard times".The Age.Fairfax.Retrieved18 July2013.
- ^abc"The 3CR Story".3CR. Archived fromthe originalon 22 July 2013.Retrieved19 July2013.
- ^"Special Broadcasts".3CR.Retrieved24 September2013.
- ^ab"Beyond the Bars".3CR.
- ^"Survival Day".3CR.
- ^"Sustainable Living Festival".3CR.
- ^"International Women's Day".3CR.
- ^"Disability Day".3CR.
- ^"Human Rights Day".3CR.
- ^"Girls Radio Club".3CR.Retrieved25 July2013.
- ^"Women on the Line".3CR.Retrieved20 July2013.
- ^"2013 EVAs Winners".EVAs Media Awards.Eliminating Violence Against Women Media Awards. 19 July 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 15 June 2013.Retrieved20 July2013.
- ^"Staff and committees".3CR.
- ^"CBAA Awards Past Winners".Community Broadcasting Association of Australia. Archived fromthe originalon 30 June 2013.Retrieved25 July2013.
- ^"CBAA Awards 2012: Full List of Winners".RadioInfo.Retrieved25 July2013.
- ^"Earth Matters".3CR.
- ^"Brainwaves".3CR.