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Introduction

This document sets out the policies that Ofcom (the Office of Communications) will implement in relation to the introduction of a new tier of local, not-for-profit, radio services, called community radio. Ofcom welcomes the opportunity to regulate this new tier of broadcast radio which allows a new range of opportunities for prospective broadcasters across the country.

The policies put forward in this statement take account of information and feedback from four sources:

• The Community Radio Order 2004. This was laid before Parliament on 15 June. It was approved by Parliament and became law on 20 July 2004. (www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/stat.htm)
• 139 responses to the public consultation which was conducted by Ofcom between 17 February and 20 April 2004. All non-confidential responses have been published on the Ofcom website (see Related Items).
• Research into the pilot scheme. Ofcom commissioned research into four of the pilot community radio (then called access radio) services, which were first licensed in 2002. The research looked at the audiences for these services, as well as assessing the impacts on participants and agencies operating in the communities concerned. A summary of the findings from this research, produced by Research Works, is being published at the same time as this statement, and is attached (Annex 1).
• 'New Voices' and 'New Voices – an Update' by Professor Anthony Everitt (published in 2003, and available on the Ofcom website - see Related Items). Professor Everitt was appointed by the Radio Authority to conduct an independent evaluation of the pilot scheme referred to above, and to make recommendations about the future licensing of the sector.

The full text of the statement is available in PDF via the link below.

• Licensing Community Radio [pdf]
  A statement of Ofcom's strategy for the introduction of community radio in the UK, and the process by which licences will be advertised, awarded and regulated.

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