ACMA Media release: The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found that the licensee of 2GLF, Liverpool-Green Valley Community Radio Cooperative Ltd, breached a condition of its licence by failing to encourage members of the community it serves to participate in the operations of the service and in the selection and provision of programs.

Liverpool-Green Valley Community Radio Cooperative Ltd holds a community broadcasting licence to provide a radio service in the local government areas of Liverpool and Fairfield in Sydney’s south west.

ACMA’s investigation found that while 2GLF provided details of the procedure for becoming a member of the station, no evidence was provided to substantiate how it encouraged the community to participate in the operations of the service. In addition, no details were given to substantiate how the station encouraged community participation in the selection and provision of programs.

The investigation did note some improvements had been made by the station, including the introduction of an automation system to record and time-shift some daytime programs to the overnight shift; additional ethnic programming; and two more hours of sports programming.

The improvements were insufficient, however, to demonstrate the licensee’s compliance with its obligations. ACMA has asked 2GLF to provide a report in July 2008 on the measures it has taken since the investigation was finalised to meet its licence obligations.

ACMA’s investigation followed a complaint received on 13 October 2007 that 2GLF was not encouraging community participation in the operations and programming of the service. The complainant also alleged that the service was failing to represent its community interest in line with its licence conditions. However, ACMA’s investigation found that the licensee was meeting the requirements of this licence condition.