The first draft of the revised community radio Codes of Practice is now available, and we are looking for your comments and input.

During February 2008, the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) – as the peak body representing the majority of community radio licensees – began the first round of consultation to review the community radio Codes of Practice. This consisted of advertisements in various newspapers and magazines, phone conferences, and the collation of several submissions from various sector members. The first draft of the revised Codes was written based on that consultation and submission received.

The first draft of the revised Codes of Practice:

• Includes a handful of paragraphs outlining the legal obligations of community broadcasters and the role of the regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA);
  
• Is written in plain English and aims to simplify complex legal language;
  
• Is laid out in a table format to make it easier to read; and
  
• Includes as appendices a range of guidelines, templates, and sample policies and procedures to assist your station in following the legal requirements in the Codes.

During the second round of consultation you are welcome to provide feedback on the revised community radio Codes of Practice. Please send any feedback by Friday 18 July 2008.

During 2007, the CBAA consulted with ACMA and established the following timeframe for the community radio Codes of Practice review:

For a copy of the first draft of the revised Codes of Practice, contact -

Bruno Brayovic
Codes of Practice Assistant
Phone: (02) 9318 9616
Email: bruno@cbaa.org.au

Craig Liddell
Policy Coordination Manager
Phone: (02) 9310 2999
Email: cliddell@cbaa.org.au



Background to the Codes of Practice is located on the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) website, available here