By Sarah Morcom
The Student Radio Association fear for the future of student radio after an Analogue Radio Scrappage Scheme is proposed.
The scrappage scheme gives people the opportunity to swap their existing radio for a discounted DAB radio.
With more than 80 student radio stations across the country Tim Dye, Chair of the Association says they are too important to lose: “Student radio is a unique feature of the UK landscape.
“It is almost entirely free of rigid formats and commercial pressures.
“As a result, student radio has a hugely respected platform from which world renowned bands, DJs, radio presenters and other media professionals have launched their careers.”
Student radio stations often provide ultra local news, important information as well as training for those involved.
Radio 1’s Greg James and Absolute’s Mark Crossley are both recent graduates of student radio.
Nationally, around 10,000 uni students broadcast to two-and-a-half million students, yet this huge community haven’t been invited to contribute their ideas and thoughts regarding the future of analogue radio.
Fortunately, Pure FM, Portsmouth’s student radio station is broadcast daily on the internet. Sarah Ghost, Secretary of the association added: “DAB isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ solution, she went on to say: “Smaller broadcasters like our members feel they’re being railroaded towards a digital future where they currently have no place.”