The community radio station operator in Malta

Abstract

Who is the community radio station operator in Malta? This is a pertinent question that needs a pressing answer. And the aim of this research is precisely to give that answer. The Broadcasting Act of 1991, which introduced radio pluralism in Malta, also provided for the setting up of community radio stations which operate on a local basis. Since then, a number of community radio licences have been issued, both on a permanent and on a temporary basis. Nine years have now passed since the Broadcasting Act came into force. A lot of attention has been devoted to the national radio stations, on which a lot of research has been carried out, both by the Broadcasting Authority (the broadcasting regulator in Malta) itself and by private entities. But unfortunately, community radio broadcasting has not been given the same attention as national radio broadcasting. No one knows exactly who the community radio station operator in Malta is, let alone what are the needs of the sector. The lack of research in this area is blatant. And urgent answers are needed, because presently the community radio broadcasting sector in Malta is as yet underdeveloped. According to a comparative study carried out by Kleinsteuber and Sonnenberg in 1990, non-commercial local radio in Western Europe can be classified in three categories: an Anglo-Saxon type, that grew out of a predominantly commercial environment; a Southern European type, that was born out of a protest against a public monopoly; and a Northern European type, that was shaped to coexist with an ongoing monopoly. This trend is confirmed by a comparative report on community radio in Western Europe compiled by Malin Sjoberg in 1994. Can the community radio operator in Malta be classified under any of the three categories identified by Kleinsteuber and Sonnenberg? If yes, under which category can it be classified? The answer to this question will include four elements. A short history of community radio in Malta will be provided first. Afterwards, an analysis of legislation on community radio in Malta will be carried out. In-depth interviews with community radio station operators in Malta will subsequently take place. Aspects such as ownership, raison d'etre, coverage, staff, funding, and network affiliation will be addressed. An analysis of all these four elements will provide a profile of the community radio station operator in Malta.