Post by Flash on Oct 18, 2007 11:49:56 GMT -5
Ahh, this brings flashbacks of a memorable CityFM AGM.
There were two factions each vying to run the place, both hated each
other with a passion never seen in the place, and both sides whipped
up as much "support" as they could.
The AGM itself was a display of the worst community radio politics I
have seen in a long while - again - the organised how to vote tickets
(disallowed by the Rules of Association by the way), the vicious
attacks against certain individuals, the stand-up routines by those
who considered it was they who placed the station on the map,
The election came up, and one side lost...
The highest vote getter was not even present - a person placed on one
faction's list as simply a spoiler candidate - and didn't even really
want to be on the committee at all !
The losing team sent a couple of people to the studio and started to
unplug equipment and tossed cables and cd players etc out from a third
storey window on to the street below, changed the locks and called the
police in to prevent others gaining access. They closed down a
temporary broadcast, while the President of the organisation did
nothing.
In the end it was this AGM and the surrounding events that ended the
station's hopes of ever gaining a full time community licence.
Unfortunately, people intend on power and control never seem to see
the forest for the trees, and in the effort to gain power, destroy
what they have sought to control either when in power or in the
process.
Take the radio station away and the politicking continues - true
statement for many a community radio station..
Oh the drama, the drama of it all - its like eating an ice cream and a
worm pops out to say Hi !
If there is healthy interest in the group then at least it is alive.
I watched this last AGM - as far as AGMs in community radio go, these
were amatuers.
I've seen rampaging, sabotage and fights - that was at a TCBL! This
campaign was pretty mild, and the response was pretty determined.
One long term Board member and country music obsessive was ousted -
THAT brought a huge positive response.
Seems the community are getting involved at 2YOU FM, and they ARE
making their voices heard. That, and a Programming committee made up
of announcers, AND community representatives is possibly the only way
out for 2YOU from the ACMA investigation.
Good to see some people still get excited over freedom of speech and
non-dollar related broadcasting... ;-)
The spoiler candidate spoken of here was nominated and accepted
nomination, and was not expecting to get enough votes to get on the
committee at the election. And won the nighest number of votes - was
not even present on the night ! If it gets to the point where people
believe they have to vote for the least offensive candidate, things
are not lookin' good.
Looks like interesting times (on the original positing of this thread)
for the good folk at 2YOU.
I am sure that after the newly elected had their celebratory drinks,
gharged their glasses and had their toasts, they are now responsible
for the management and operation of a radio station, which is now
nicely factionised and divided to the point where effective management
may only be achieved by institution of many subcommittees - or a
manager who rules with an iron fist.
have fun guys !
There were two factions each vying to run the place, both hated each
other with a passion never seen in the place, and both sides whipped
up as much "support" as they could.
The AGM itself was a display of the worst community radio politics I
have seen in a long while - again - the organised how to vote tickets
(disallowed by the Rules of Association by the way), the vicious
attacks against certain individuals, the stand-up routines by those
who considered it was they who placed the station on the map,
The election came up, and one side lost...
The highest vote getter was not even present - a person placed on one
faction's list as simply a spoiler candidate - and didn't even really
want to be on the committee at all !
The losing team sent a couple of people to the studio and started to
unplug equipment and tossed cables and cd players etc out from a third
storey window on to the street below, changed the locks and called the
police in to prevent others gaining access. They closed down a
temporary broadcast, while the President of the organisation did
nothing.
In the end it was this AGM and the surrounding events that ended the
station's hopes of ever gaining a full time community licence.
Unfortunately, people intend on power and control never seem to see
the forest for the trees, and in the effort to gain power, destroy
what they have sought to control either when in power or in the
process.
Take the radio station away and the politicking continues - true
statement for many a community radio station..
Oh the drama, the drama of it all - its like eating an ice cream and a
worm pops out to say Hi !
If there is healthy interest in the group then at least it is alive.
I watched this last AGM - as far as AGMs in community radio go, these
were amatuers.
I've seen rampaging, sabotage and fights - that was at a TCBL! This
campaign was pretty mild, and the response was pretty determined.
One long term Board member and country music obsessive was ousted -
THAT brought a huge positive response.
Seems the community are getting involved at 2YOU FM, and they ARE
making their voices heard. That, and a Programming committee made up
of announcers, AND community representatives is possibly the only way
out for 2YOU from the ACMA investigation.
Good to see some people still get excited over freedom of speech and
non-dollar related broadcasting... ;-)
The spoiler candidate spoken of here was nominated and accepted
nomination, and was not expecting to get enough votes to get on the
committee at the election. And won the nighest number of votes - was
not even present on the night ! If it gets to the point where people
believe they have to vote for the least offensive candidate, things
are not lookin' good.
Looks like interesting times (on the original positing of this thread)
for the good folk at 2YOU.
I am sure that after the newly elected had their celebratory drinks,
gharged their glasses and had their toasts, they are now responsible
for the management and operation of a radio station, which is now
nicely factionised and divided to the point where effective management
may only be achieved by institution of many subcommittees - or a
manager who rules with an iron fist.
have fun guys !