[troutman]

The threat to campus and community radio:
Campus Radio Stations & Student Newspapers Demand reversal on Ford’s fee policy

https://www.ncra.ca/news/press-relea...99s-fee-policy

Campus radio stations and newspapers may have to shut off the radio and turn off the printing presses if Ford’s proposal to change student funding goes ahead without amendment.

Campus radio stations across Ontario have jointly issued an urgent appeal after the release last month of the provincial Conservative policy to decimate student funding for campus activities. The policy, ironically named the Student Choice Initiative, will reverse democratic student referendums wherein students voted to fund services on campus- including newspapers and radio.

Each university's fee structure differs, but many campus stations rely on the fees for as much as 90% of an annual budget. Campus radios have fixed costs such as music royalty payments, emergency broadcasting infrastructure, towers and transmission and more.

Here in Alberta, Adam (CJSW station Manager):
"CJSW has been witness to many elections over the years, but this year's provincial election is the first that I can recall where our station's current funding model and potentially, existence, is being challenged by the policy of one of the parties running for office. (Check out mid-way on page 6 of this document). There is no single source of funding for CJSW as significant as the levy we receive from U of C students. If that levy was to be threatened by potential provincial legislation, there would be an overnight change in how our station operates".

#DefendCampusRadio