Last week I was interviewed for the Week in Holyrood, a current affairs programme on Scottish Politics which goes out to thousands of listeners over 30 community radio stations. The focus of course was on passing the 100 days to go mark as we come closer and closer to the referendum. I was however also asked about my views on community radio.
I’m a big fan of community radio. The stations talk about the things the people want them to talk about, informing, educating and most importantly involving the local community.Travelling across the length and breadth of Scotland both as Scottish Secretary and as an MP I have visited many radio stations, meeting a lot of interesting people along the way.
Yesterday I visited East Coast FM in Haddington following an afternoon of visits in East Lothian. Earlier this year I spent almost an hour on Oban FM’s drive time show. Before visiting the Job Centre in Fort William their staff knew I was close by as they heard me being interviewed on Nevis Radio.
The students of Glasgow Caledonian University are able to make their first strides into the world of broadcasting through Radio Caley. Closer to my home in Orkney we have The Superstation which I have been involved with for many years. Both my sons are big fans and it does not take long for one of them to switch it on during a car journey.
The UK Government are firm supporters of community radio too.
This year we have made £426,000 available to the community radio sector through the Community Radio Fund. Through the recently published Community Radio consultation we are looking at what we can do to support it even further.
Community radio together with the development of high quality broadband, smart phones and digital radios means no matter where we are in the world we are closer to home than we ever have been.
Most importantly of all however, special praise must be reserved for all the staff and volunteers in community radio stations across Scotland who make an immense contribution to provide highly valued quality local output. Without their time, dedication and effort none of this would be possible.