The Broadcasting Authority of Malta, following discussions with the Malta Communications Authority, has completed a revision of its policy on long-term community radio stations and has opened a call for applications for long-term community radio stations,  lifting the moratorium which has existed on the licensing of stations in this sector .

From 10 to 28 November 208 the Broadcasting Authority will be receiving applications and further details on programme content conditions, technical conditions, the call for applications itself and the community radio application form can be downloaded  from the Broadcasting Authority’s website

Download the Application Form

The first Nordic community radio conference was held in Turku, Finland, on 31 October - 2 November 2008. The themes of the conference included the significance of community radio stations in the Nordic countries and the future of community media in the digital era. A variety of community radio stations and radio cultures also presented themselves.

Among the keynote speakers: Per Jauert ( Associate Professor in Media Studies, Århus University, Denmark), Steve Buckley (President of AMARC, the World Assocation of Community Broadcasters); and Marko Ala-Fossi, (Senior Lecturer in Radio, University of Tampere, Finland).

The Nordic community radio culture was represented, among others, by the first Nordic women’s radio, norwegian radiOrakel; the multi-ethnic Radio Bazaar from Denmark; norwegian student radio Studentradion from Trondheim; and the swedish Radio & TV Noor, broadcasting in the Farsi language.

Karin Resetarits, Alliance for Liberal and Democrats in Europe (ALDE),

Austria

Here there are some declarations of support of MEPs that supported the Report:
Gyula Hegyi (PSE-Socialist Group in the European Parliament, Hungary)
‘Community media’ often plays an important role in local communities. It is an influential source of information amongst the local media; sometimes even the sole voice of local communities. That is why the European Union should focus more on these media, especially after the failure of the Lisbon Treaty, as they may serve as an efficient means to pass on EU related information to citizens.

I know that community media, especially their financing, should be a primary concern of Member States, due to their various forms and local specialities. Where we may help at European level is in giving more visibility to the issue. This report is the first step in that direction.