Members' Guidelines

Soundart Radio is a non-profit community radio station broadcasting full time on 102.5 FM and online. 

Our Values

• We widen access to media and create positive change in society.
• We are a safe and welcoming space, and actively promote the perspectives of marginalised and vulnerable people.
• We respect the environment and use resources with care.
• We value creative freedom, experimentation with radio form, and collaboration.
• We take care of ourselves, one another, and the radio station.

At the studio, it is up to all of us to ensure everyone is safe and comfortable 

Do:

• Keep the space clean, tidy and clear of clutter.
• Handle equipment gently.
• Welcome visitors.
• Wash up any cups, etc. you use.
• Treat everyone with respect and courtesy.
• Communicate well with Studio Hosts, the Programming Team, and other members, including reading emails and notices. 
• Explain the values of the station to others.

Don’t:

• Broadcast if inebriated.
• Smoke in shared spaces, or in front of children.
• Behave in predatory ways towards others.
• Give out other people’s contact details without their permission.

What else could you help with? 

• Become a Studio Host - supervising the studio, to answer enquiries, welcome visitors and support live shows
• Attending members meetings, especially the Annual General Meeting, which is generally held in the Winter
• Volunteering at fundraising and promotional events
• Volunteering at our children’s activities, for example helping with cooking, crafts or broadcasting 

 
Our remit is to promote arts and music, reflect the local community, create new formats and styles of radio programmes and to provide time and space for experimentation and creative risk.

Broadcast Code

As a licensed broadcaster, we follow Ofcom’s Broadcast Code at all times. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/broadcast-codes/broadcast-code

Some key points 

• Avoid swearing and offensive language.
• Don’t promote practices and activities that may harm others.
• Balance: a wide range of perspectives is valuable and needed, but this doesn’t mean all opinions have equal weight – rather that they should all be subject to the same level of scrutiny.

Problematic topics and attitudes that are not permitted

• Placing blame for social problems onto marginalised or vulnerable groups
• Climate denialism
• Discussions about health that promote distrust in doctors
• Local campaigns from one side only
• Ongoing court cases
• Political coverage in the lead in to elections (local or general)
• Hate speech
• Swearing and offensive language 
• Promotion of potentially harmful activities, including violence and drug taking

Pre-recorded programmes

Radio programmes can be broadcast live from the studio, or produced elsewhere. Some are a mixture of the two. Programmes can be sent in online, for example, with dropbox or wetransfer to programmes@soundartradio.org.uk. It is helpful if this is at least 48 hours ahead of broadcast.  Please edit your show to have a fairly consistent level throughout, and normalise to -2db.