ABA NR 55/2000

NR 55/2000
4 August 2000

ABA commences investigation into suitability of WILD FM and FREE FM

The Australian Broadcasting Authority has commenced an investigation into whether Sydney Youth Radio Inc and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Broadcasting Inc are suitable community broadcasting licensees or suitable applicants for a community broadcasting licence. The investigation will also examine whether Sydney Youth Radio Inc or Sydney Gay and Lesbian Broadcasting Inc are operated for profit or as part of profit making enterprises.

Sydney Youth Radio Inc is an applicant for a Sydney-wide community radio licence made available by the ABA. It has conducted temporary community broadcasts under the station identifier WILD FM. Sydney Gay and Lesbian Broadcasting Inc is also an applicant for a Sydney-wide community radio licence made available by the ABA. It has conducted temporary community broadcasts under the station identifier FREE FM.

The ABA has issued notices today to Sydney Youth Radio Inc and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Broadcasting Inc requiring the provision of documents and other information pursuant to section 173 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, by 25 August 2000.

All the information received by the ABA pursuant to these notices may, where relevant, be used by the ABA as part of the community broadcasting licences allocation process for the Sydney licence area being conducted pursuant to Part 6 of the Act. The public hearings that form part of that allocation process commence on Monday 14 August in the Marconi Room, Sydney Town Hall, George St, Sydney.