All is quiet at Dunedin’s Radio One 91FM as a silent protest over plans to sell the station takes them off-air.
After 27 years broadcasting, the station was hushed on Saturday 2 July, starting a “Week of Silence” which manager Sean Norling says will give people a taste of what is to come if the station is sold.
Owned by Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA), Radio One was reviewed by Deloitte in May as part of an overall review of OUSA’s services and structure.
The review was brought about as a result of the ACT party bill to introduce Voluntary Student Membership (VSM).
According to Mr Norling, Deloitte recommended the disestablishment of Radio One because it is of “little commercial value” to the students’ association.
Student President Logan Edgar has been in position for just over a month and inherited the situation when he came into post.
He says major assets used by lots of students will have to “go under the microscope and likely get cut”.
“It’s nasty stuff that we don’t want to do.”
He blames the ACT party for the impending doom of the station and other association assets.
“We’d never be in this situation if we could guarantee our revenue streams for the future…but the ACT party trying to pass VSM could cut up to 90% of revenue we used to get.
“It’s up to the politicians to help us make these decisions. We’re stuck between a rock and a hard place and we have to prepare for the worst if voluntary student membership does come in next year.”
Station manager Sean Norling says it is a “big body blow” to the New Zealand music industry.
“I see us as a service that shouldn’t be lost under the threat of VSM.
“The demise of Radio One could set off a devastating set of dominoes. The existence of independent radio is crucial to the city being a viable option for visiting artists of all persuasions.”
He says the station has tried really hard and made good savings, but their “penny plucking” has not been taken into account by those making decisions.
“We plan to really fight the recommendations.”
The station will break its silence on Saturday when it goes back on air at 10am. They will then have three weeks to continue their awareness campaign, consider the recommendations and make submissions.
3 News