Radio Carrum

Local People, Local Stories.

Code of Practice

Guiding Principles
As a community broadcaster we are guided by the following principles. We will work to:

1.Promote harmony and diversity and contribute to an inclusive, cohesive and culturally diverse Australian community.

2. Pursue the principles of democracy, access and equity, especially for people and issues not adequately represented in other media.

3. Enhance the diversity of programming choices available to the public and present programs that expand the variety of viewpoints broadcast in Australia.

4. Demonstrate independence in programming as well as in editorial and management decisions.

5. Support and develop local arts and music.

6. Increase community involvement in broadcasting.

Codes of Practice
Our responsibility in broadcasting is to meet our community interest within a framework of sound governance.

1. Radio Carrum will be controlled and operated by a committee of management.

2. We will have training in place to ensure that everyone is aware of his or her legal obligations and is able to effectively participate in providing the service.

3. Radio Carrum will make sure that people in our community who are not adequately served by other media are encouraged and assisted to participate in providing our service.

4. In all Radio Carrum activities and our behaviour we will oppose and break down prejudice on the basis of ethnicity, race, language, gender, sexuality, age, physical or mental ability, occupation, religious, cultural or political beliefs.

5. Our community radio station will not broadcast material that may:
(a) incite, encourage, or present for its own sake violence or brutality,
(b) mislead or alarm listeners by simulating news or events,
(c) present as desirable the use of illegal drugs, the misuse of tobacco or alcohol as well as other harmful substances, and
(d) glamourise, sensationalise, or present suicide as a solution to life problems. In particular, broadcast material should not provide explicit details about the method and/or location of a suicide attempt or death.

6. We will have programming practices that protect children from harmful material but will avoid concealing the real world from them.

7. We will follow applicable privacy laws by:
(a) respecting people’s legitimate right to protection from unjustified use of material which is obtained without consent or through an invasion of privacy,
(b) only broadcasting the words of an identifiable person where:
(i) that person has been told in advance that the words may be broadcast, or
(ii) it was clearly indicated at the time the recording was made that the material
would be broadcast, or
(iii) in the case of words that have been recorded without the knowledge of a
person, that person has indicated his/her agreement prior to broadcast

8. News, current affairs (including news updates and promotions), documentaries, feature programs and interviews shall:
(a) provide access to views not adequately represented by other broadcasting sectors,
(b) present factual material accurately and ensure that reasonable efforts are made to correct substantial errors of fact as quickly as possible,
(c) clearly distinguish factual material from commentary and analysis,
(d) present news in such a way that it does not create public panic or unnecessary distress to listeners,
(e) represent viewpoints fairly without having a misleading emphasis, editing out of context or withholding relevant and available material.

9. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia
(a) we will seek to involve and take advice from Indigenous Australians in the production of programs focusing on Indigenous Australians and issues. Where possible, we will consult the appropriate Indigenous media organisation broadcaster on appropriate forms of communication.
(b) when reporting on Indigenous peoples and issues, we will take care to verify and observe the best way to respect culture and customs by:
(i) considering regional differences, that is, be mindful of differences between
Indigenous local groups,
(ii) using appropriate words and phrases in referring to Indigenous peoples and their
regional groups,
(iii) seeking proper advice on how to best respect Indigenous bereavement customs
when reporting on people who are recently deceased, and
(iv) using suitable words and phrases when reporting on the social and emotional
well-being of Indigenous people.

10. Radio Carrum has a commitment to develop Australian music and provide opportunities for performers to have their work regularly broadcast.
(a) in selecting Australian music for broadcast in each month we will consider our community interest.
(b) we will broadcast at least 25 per cent of Australian music annually

11. Sponsorship
(a) Sponsorship will not be a factor in deciding who can access broadcasting time.
(b) We will ensure editorial decisions affecting the content and style of individual programs are not influenced by program or station sponsors.

12. Complaints
(a) We acknowledge the rights of our listeners, members and volunteers to make complaints in writing about alleged non-compliance with Radio Carrum’s code of practice.
(b) We will make every reasonable effort to resolve complaints, except where a complaint is clearly frivolous, without sufficient grounds or not made in good faith.
(c) We will ensure that complaints will be acknowledged in writing,
(b) Complaints will be conscientiously considered, investigated if necessary, and responded to substantively as soon as possible.