Revised May 2018

Purpose

To outline the Valley FM (VFM) 89.5 policy and guidelines for all member presenters with regard to music and current affairs content in broadcasting program obligations as required under VFM’s broadcasting licence. This includes VFM’s obligation to broadcast at least 25% of Australian music and to calculate the percentage all Australian music played each calendar month.

Policy

Music

In line with the Valley FM’s Charter and the Valley FM Programming Policy, VFM will present a diverse and interesting range of music that will fulfil the following functions:

  • Programs will showcase the role of music in defining and realising the identity of the station as a local community broadcaster
  • Programs will maintain a commitment to music that is composed and produced in Australia thereby meeting ACMA licence requirements (25% of all broadcasted music)
  • Programs, when appropriate, will be responsive to our local multicultural and multilingual society
  • The station will ensure that its music programming and content encompasses both local, individual and general audiences
  • Programs will identify and develop an understanding of the importance of a range of musical styles and cultures within the community
  • The station will maintain a commitment to new developments, distribution and broadcasting of music at all levels within its broadcasting community
  • The station reserves the right to broadcast musical and lyrical material that some people might find offensive, if such usage is considered appropriate and justified in context. Such content can ONLY be broadcast after 9pm and before 6am, and
  • Music programming will observe all the relevant laws, regulations, and standards applicable to radio broadcasting and adhere to the Community Broadcasting Codes of Practice.

News and Current Affairs

VFM news and current affairs broadcasting will be subject to the station’s Charter and Program Policies, and will in particular be:

  • Reported accurately with intelligent and informed comment
  • Encourage discussion, debate and exchange of ideas, thus contributing to a more informed, educated and compassionate society
  • Adoptive of a genuinely constructive standpoint on issues that encourages informed thought and analysis by our listeners
  • Combine a perspective with a concern for national and local issues and draw connections between these issues wherever appropriate, taking special note of issues affecting the ACT
  • Emphasise issues avoiding material that seems to be purely superficial or sensational and refrain from sensationalising or trivialising important issues
  • Be critical of all sources of information, and take all reasonable steps to check the accuracy of information before broadcasting, and
  • Develop and maintain an independent agenda and priorities, irrespective of those evident in other media.

Compliance
The Board is responsible for the development, implementation, operation and review of this policy. Compliance with the policy is the responsibility of all members.

All broadcasters and programmers must be aware of their obligations to comply with the Community Broadcasting Codes of Practice 2016.

Legislative Framework
Broadcasting Services Act (Cwth 1992)

References
Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, Community Radio Broadcasting Codes of Practice (2016)