Has 4CCR complied with ACMA 's conditions?

When Cairns 89.1FM applied to the Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) for the renewal of its broadcasting licence it did so in the midst of several CCBI members' complaints about various breaches of its Code of Practice.

ACMA, after serious deliberation, agreed to renew 4CCR's licence on the 1st December 2009. It was not plain sailing for 4CCR as ACMA imposed 7 conditions, titled AGREED MEASURES.

Condition 7 imposed the requirement that 4CCR:

''Provide two comprehensive written reports to the ACMA updating the ACMA on the implementation of the various strategies, activities and initiatives listed above. These reports will include supporting evidence and relevant documents. The schedule for reports to the ACMA is the 1st May 2010 and the 1st December 2010''

Friends are not aware if indeed 4CCR has complied with the above reporting condition. Friends are concerned as to the veracity of any report and its content having in mind the unprofessional failed February attempt by Mr Rod Coutts at amending the Constitution, as per Clause 5 of the AGREED MEASURES.

In view of past 4CCR's transgressions Friends would welcome the opportunity to have input into ACMA's assessment process in the implementation of the conditions of renewal.

The Friends continue to be concerned with Mr Rod Coutts' intentions and those of the Management Committee and the progress of the implementation of the Agreed Measures.

The Friends are concerned at the waste of public funds that are being spent on fighting the Friends' best endeavours to bring about transparency and the involvement of CCBI members, when such funds could be spent on upgrading the infrastructure and implementing the licence renewal conditions.

The Friends are concerned at the continuity of the broadcasting licence and whether the ACMA will continue to condone further transgressions by Mr Rod Coutts and the Management Committee.

For the information of the general public, CCBI members and Friends, I am attaching 2 letters of correspondence between the ACMA and Friends. Attachment 1&2
The content of the ACMA's letter and reply will be considered at the next meeting of Friends. The decision of Friends will be relayed to all interested supporters via this website.

Thank you for taking the time to read this contribution and look forward to your continued support.

Ross Parisi
Chairperson of Friends of 4CCR