ACMA accepts enforceable undertakings from 4FRB
Brisbane community radio station 4FRB has had its licence renewed after giving the Australian Communications and Media Authority enforceable undertakings that will ensure ongoing community involvement in the station.
In considering whether to renew the licence of Family Radio Ltd, the licensee of 4FRB, the ACMA noted that 4FRB had recently entered into a Deed of Agreement with Hope Media Ltd, the licensee of 2CBA, a community radio service in Sydney.
The ACMA was concerned that this agreement had the potential to limit 4FRB’s capacity to comply with the community participation licence condition.
‘We want the Brisbane community to be able to continue to be involved in decision-making about the operations of the service,’ said acting ACMA Chairman, Richard Bean. ‘The Brisbane community should also be able to have a say in selecting and providing programs.’
By offering the enforceable undertakings, 4FRB was able to assure the ACMA that it would take the actions necessary to ensure compliance with the community participation licence condition if the licence was renewed.
These include developing appropriate policies about, and reporting to the ACMA on, a range of operational and other matters.