It matters not what the Tudno FM studios look like, or how good and professional the equipment looks. What matters is what comes out of the speakers in our homes and workplaces and in our cars. Content, content, content, with a complete focus on the very reason Tudno FM was brought into being with hundreds of thousands of pounds of public money, namely, the 'Community'.
Tudno Fm are not delivering the 'Social Gain' it could and should. It's there to give a 'voice' to the 'Community', to give the 'Community' a platform on which to bring about change for the better for the many and not the few. To champion various causes, to stimulate debate and involve all sides in those debates. That is simply not happening anything like it could and should be. The result being, the 'Community' is losing out.
Tudno Fm belongs to the 'Community', it's theirs, they own it, it's part of them, their everyday. It's there to afford opportunity to bring about change, to make the town a better place. So many people on this forum, and within the 'Community' don't even know it exists. If they do, they don't know where it is, and why is that? It's because they are not working at it, they have lost sight of the Vision of 'Community Radio', why it exists in the first place. Run correctly, Tudno Fm should be putting all other radio stations which are receivable in the town, in the shade, blowing them out of the water. The potential to do that is huge, but they can't or won't see that.
I know they are volunteers, and many who run it put a lot of hours in, and they are to be thanked for it, thank God for them. But they need to understand the principle and vision of 'Community Radio'. Tudno Fm is not a success story, far from it. But it could be hugely successful with more thought about programming and more emphasis on the very reason they exist, the 'Community'. Those who run it are only limited by imagination and ideas. There's nothing they can't do if they put their mind to it. But they have to start listening to genuine people who give ideas in order to help.
You only get out of something what you put into it. Please Tudno FM, put the 'Community' at the forefront of every second of your programming, involve them, give the 'Community' their voice, that platform on which to be heard. Rock the boat, ask difficult questions, put those who run the town, the councils, 'On The Spot', embarrass them if you have to, niggle them if you must, don't be afraid to go for the jugular. And for God's sake open your telephone lines for the 'Community' to talk 'LIVE ON THE AIR'. Let's hear the actual voices of the 'Community'.
Let's hear the voice of Mrs Jones from Cwm Place, or Mr Hughes from West Parade. All we hear are the voices of the presenters, or the voices of the occasional person who comes in for interview. Bring about some heated debates about 'Community' issues. Stimulate debate, provoke responses from all sides, bring people together whilst staying in the middle. You have it in your power to do so much good. You have the equipment to bring that about. But you must summon up the will, the want, the desire and the passion to do that. You can do it, you really can. Stand up, be strong, be outgoing and forthright in your attitude. Don't be scared to take risks, to rattle a cage or two. Believe me, if you can do that you will thank me for pushing you, the 'Community' will thank you for standing up for them. They will get behind you like you never thought possible. You are the 'Community'. The 'Community' is you.
Tudno FM are struggling for money, just like many other Community Radio Stations. But I promise you, if they change their focus, and do as I suggest, then the 'Community' will come good and get behind them as never before. Tudno Fm should tell the 'Community' if they are struggling to survive in any way. Talk to them, ask the 'Community' for help, in whatever way, and providing Tudno FM are providing a service that is bringing about Social Gain and change for the better, then the support of the whole 'Community' will embrace, help and support them, no problem.
Thank you one and all in Tudno Fm for what you have done up to now, and for the giving of your time. But it's now time for change. Time to take the station to where it needs to be, at the very heart of our 'Community'. You can do it, really you can. But you have to listen, and accept that change must come about. No time like the present.