MARCH/APRIL 2012

News Update Welcome to another edition of our regular news updates for 2012. This is an opportunity for volunteers and staff to catch up on what‘s happening in Near. It is available via email, online and good old fashioned hard copy. Thanks to all the staff and volunteers who contributed to this issue and thanks to Niall Mc Guinness for layout and design. So what‘s been happening? Well, this edition will give you a flavour of how busy we have been across all our media platforms. We‘ve been out in the community and bringing the community into studio. And we‘re no longer just a community Staff Contact List radio station. We‘ve a hugely vibrant community TV Based at the Northside Civic Centre (01 8671190) production facility and a well established drama company, not forgetting our fledgling record label. Radio Coordinator - [email protected] Don‘t forget you can contact me ([email protected]) if you want to contribute to any edition of the Technical & Studio Issues - [email protected] newsletter. Technology & Website - [email protected] Dave O Connor

Editor/Secretary Near Media Co Op

Administration & Introductory Training - [email protected] Overall Project Coordinator - [email protected]

Near Media Committee of Management Vincent Teeling (Chair) Heidi Bedell (Vice Chair) Dave O‘Connor (Secretary) Peter Cunningham (Treasurer) Declan Cahill Deborah Gaffney Nell Fitzpatrick Bronwen Maher Stephen Blayds Shannette Budhai

On-air promos & Schedules – [email protected] (Liam Johnson) Based at the Coolock Development Centre (01 8485211) Intercultural Co Ordinator – [email protected] Promotions – [email protected] (Niall Mc Guinness) IT Admin/Training – [email protected] Productions and Specialist Training - [email protected] Outreach & OBs - [email protected]

The Online Edition can be viewed at www.near.ie

TV Coordinator - [email protected]

MARCH/APRIL 2012

Update New committee Member

A big welcome to Shanette who becomes the most recent addition to the Near Media Co-op Committee of Management

Shannette is the most recent addition to the Near Media Co-op Committee of Management. Shannette became involved with Near FM through the intercultural radio programme. She has a BA in Anthropology with a minor in Art History (State University of New York at Albany) and an MPhil in Ethnic and Racial Studies (Trinity College, Dublin). Shannette volunteers with the Dún Laoghaire Refugee Project, a group that provides services to Separated Children Seeking Asylum in Ireland. In the past she has worked with ‗at-risk‘ inner city youth in Dublin and in New York and currently works with Comhlámh, an organisation that stands in solidarity with people who aim to combat the root causes of poverty and injustice. Shanette brings a wealth of experience to the Co Operative, having lived on three continents, have been to 15 different countries, taught English to immigrants in New York and to individuals recovering from substance abuse in Crumlin.

Social News Congratulations to Paul and Sonya Loughran who welcomed baby Stella to their family earlier this month. The co-op regrets to announce the deaths of Michael Farrell (former committee member) and Paul Quinn (father of Nearfm Volunteer Lisa Quinn).

Nearfm Update th

May Bank Holiday Schedule – 7 May Proud daddy

“SLEEP IS OVERRATED” – THE WORDS OF DADDY FOR THE FIRST TIME AND NEAR PRODUCTION COORDINATOR PAUL LOUGHRAN

8am 10am 12noon 2pm 4pm 6pm 8pm 10pm

POV with Darren Kernan Lifeline with Joseph Keegan Backtracking with Andy Flannery TBC Bank Holiday Afternoon Show with Dara Duffy Random Notes with Richard Costello Ska Patrol with Joe and Gero Global Roots with Tony Fitzsimons

If you would like to help by presenting a programme at 2pm on May Bank Holiday (see above) or on a subsequent Bank Holiday please contact Elaine at [email protected]

MARCH/APRIL 2012

Update Nearfm Update Northside Tonight will return from its break on Monday th 30 April (weekdays 6pm) ―Samba Boys‖ our Brazilian community programme continues every Wednesday at 6.30pm with new presenters Kelly Rodrigues Tovalassi and Rodrigo de Movra Ferreira. Dave O‘Connor takes a break for the summer from Nears Golden Years, with Gerry Maguire taking his place from the end of April.

Dates to Remember

Welcome to the new presenters of Samba boys Kelly Rodrigues Tovalassi and Rodrigo de Movra Ferreira.

May 22 – International Day for Biological Diversity June 8 – World Ocean Day

Programme Profile Random Notes Radio Show When? – Every Second Wednesday between 9pm10.30pm. Who? – Richard Moloney. What you‟ll hear – a diverse and adventurous mix of music from across the spectrum. Rock, Reggae, Dub, Electronica, Drone, Hip Hop and sounds from the outer limits. Email – [email protected]

nearpodcast.org www.livestream.com/nearfm

World Ocean Day takes place on June 8

“RANDOM NOTES – A DIVERSE AND ADVENTUROUS MIX OF MUSIC FROM ACROSS THE SPECTRUM. ROCK, REGGAE, DUB, ELECTRONICA, DRONE, HIP HOP AND SOUNDS FROM THE OUTER LIMITS. ”

MARCH/APRIL 2012

Update Studio Output Levels Next time you are in the studio have a look at the levels when you talk and playback music and then look at the levels when the promo‘s start...this will give you some idea of the output. Use your headphones to monitor the levels. Otherwise you risk being very loud, or indeed very quiet, and listeners will tune out. All levels have been preset to the 12 o‘clock position on the trims (volume knobs)...and if really need to adjust anything it should be adjusted from here (but you shouldn‘t need to adjust any levels!!)

The ideal meter level on the studio mixer is 6.

Under no circumstances should any presenter adjust output levels from any of the studio computers. If you notice a problem tell Sally or Gay. Levels are set for a reason, and incorrect adjustments can lead to transmitter over modulation, which can be costly. Rule of thumb ...levels from both the left and right channels should be peaking around 6. And don‘t forget that we are now announcing the station as Nearfm. And the frequency? 90.3!!

Studio Rules The Red Light on means ―Don‘t enter‖!! Studio duty personnel may need to enter in certain circumstances. Headphones – Use them. ! You can‘t monitor your voice and other output levels without them. Maybe, you‘re not being heard? You‘ll never know, without headphones.

“LEVELS FROM BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT CHANNELS SHOULD BE PEAKING AROUND 6”

Guest Microphones – Monitor their levels. Are you using the right fader? Remember to use prefade listen beforehand. Drinks – Liquids are a no no anywhere near radio equipment. Papers – Bring them in for your programme. Take them away afterwards!! Messy studios lead to messy programmes. Start on time – Finish on Time. Leave room for promos. Don‘t leave the next presenter waiting!!

MARCH/APRIL 2012

Update Smartphone and Online Listening Have a Smartphone? Watch and listen to Nearfm live at www.livestream.com/nearfm Have a laptop or PC? You can still watch and listen to Nearfm live at www.livestream.com/nearfm Or you can download apps such as Tuneinradio or Wunderradio You can listen to Near Fm on your Smartphone!

Nearchoice.ie We are still progressing with this project, and hope to have it up and running shortly. There are a few technical issues that still need working on, but once we have those sorted, we will be able to launch the new radio station. The content for the station will be taken from the many sound and vision programmes that Nearfm has broadcast during the past number of years. A living archive, if you like, 24 hours a day, online.

Who‟s on Twitter ? Are you ? Follow @nearfm @neartv @nearfmbtl @pridetimenearfm @oconnear @djdaley @backtrackingnow @localbizmatter @ARobinsonBL @nearfmsessions @ciaranmurray13 @aleaking @meyerdh @leftofthedialr @aoifeniccanna If you want to join our network send a tweet to @nearfm and we‘ll follow you too. Use the hashtags #nearfm #neartv #community radio and we might even start a trend!!

www.livestream.com/nearfm

Near‘s LGBT show Pride Time has launched a brand new website!

“NEARCHOICE.IE WILL BE A LIVING ARCHIVE, IF YOU LIKE, 24 HOURS A DAY, ONLINE”

MARCH/APRIL 2012

Update News and Current Affairs Workshop On the 13th March last Near Media Co-op held a workshop given by Jack Byrne and attended by both staff and volunteers. The subject was the new Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) codes, which are due to be published soon, on Balance, Objectivity and Fairness in media. Some of the areas covered at this first session were the impossibility of ‗subjective‘ people being ‗objective‘. It was pointed out that we all carry cultural baggage that will colour our interpretation of events. It was pointed out that we don‘t see things as they are; we see them as we are. A ‗word association‘ game, similar to a psychological test, was played to remind participants how the mind jumps to conclusions by ‗Clustering‘ to allow us to categorize, to form judgments quickly, to assume that all members of a category are similar. Participants were asked to be aware of your biases....remind yourself constantly.....challenge yourself often. The group looked at how Common Sense informs us that, ‗What is, is right.‘ Suggesting that this may be the situation, which convinces mainstream reporters that they are objective? That mainstream news and current affairs, although using the shorthand of stereotypes and representation, is objectively balanced. And this is the behaviour that the BAI wants to codify. It was pointed out to participants that there has been a shift of emphasis. In that the 2009 Broadcastinh Act referred to the Broadcaster. Thereby Near Fm would be called to answer a complasint, whereas, now the BAI codes will involve the individual broadcaster in any complaint about their programme content. The new code will assert that it is an important part of the role of a presenter of a current affairs programme to ensure that the audience has access to a wide variety of views on the subject of the programme or item; They must facilitate the expression of contributor‘s opinions – sometimes by forceful questioning; and to reflect the views of those who cannot, or choose not to, participate in a programme. This being so, a presenter and/or a reporter on a current affairs programme shall not express his or her own views or opinions on matters that are either of public controversy or the subject of current public debate. On Balance; the representation of a diverse range of views—sometimes over a series as well as in a single programme, will permit an equality of voices to be heard, many from outside the consensual framework. To achieve this balance, participants were asked to be mindful of ‗The questions you ask... The way that you ask them.....The questions you don‘t ask‘ On Fairness; the proper representation of opinions by those best placed to articulate them. Allied to a fair representation of views of those who have chosen not to participate in a programme, or series, with a right of reply option always available. On Accuracy; ensuring that all relevant information is presented and that nothing is suppressed or concealed in a manner that would mislead the listener. Ensuring that you ‗honestly inform‘ by assembling the details of an event as accurately as possible Remembering your own biases while doing all this. Finally the workshop discussed ways to improve current affairs content on Near. Some of the ideas to be explored are: Information is not neutral, but that does not mean it is merely a form of indoctrination. Information as a practice can expand the capacities necessary for human agency and, hence, the possibilities for more vibrant democracies.

MARCH/APRIL 2012

Update Near TV Productions March and April have been a hectic couple of months for the team at Near TV with two short series underway, the Near FM sessions every Thursday, some music video projects and a variety of events happening in and around the local community. The first in a series of Art Profile documentaries taking a look at different artists working in the vibrant Dublin art scene has been completed with a second and third just entering post production http://vimeo.com/40597787 The second series being produced is covering local minority sports – the first of which is almost complete and shows an inside view of motocross racing, with a wide variety of sports to follow. Also filmed and in post production was the annual international tournament at local club St. Kevins. A still from the first in a series of Art Profile documentaries taking a look at different artists working in the vibrant Dublin art scene

The Near FM sessions have continued to thrive, and is being filmed on a weekly basis – with recently acquired equipment we will be streaming the sessions live online every week; musicians that have featured in the sessions over the last while are ‗Crow Black Chicken‘, ‗Daniel Tobin‘, ‗Donnacha and Diarmuid Bolger‘, ‗Jupiter and the Infinite‘, ‗HyperGiants‘ and ‗Champagne Animal‘. All available for viewing on our recently launched website http://neartv.ie/ Near TV also visited the Jeanie Johnston the replica famine ship. The tall ship is currently docked on the river Liffey and welcomes visitors to experience a bit of Irish maritime and emigration history. http://vimeo.com/37372986

A still from the Jeanie Johnston the replica famine ship currently docked on the river Liffey.

“THE NEAR FM SESSIONS HAVE CONTINUED TO THRIVE, AND IS BEING FILMED ON A WEEKLY BASIS”

We continue to cover local events including a Shave or Dye event for St. Francis Hospital in Raheny http://vimeo.com/38510409 and the SPARK (Joan Burton‘s School of Hard Knocks) protest held on the 15th of March 2012 demonstrating against Budget 2012. Single Parents Fight Back to highlight the severe cuts inflicted on Ireland‘s most vulnerable children http://neartv.ie/outside-the-dail-15th-of-march-2012spark-protest/ We have also just welcomed a new troupe of volunteers who have begun training this week.

MARCH/APRIL 2012

Intercultural Update

Fashion show at Holi: Festival of Colours at the National Show Centre, Swords

In March, the intercultural project producer/presenters celebrated the completion of the second series of Culture Shots programmes by travelling out to the National Show Centre in Swords for Holi: the Festival of Colours. Holi, an ancient festival of India originally known as ―Holika,‖ marks the end of winter gloom and rejoices in the bloom of the spring-time. Hindus across India and throughout the world share prayer, camaraderie, special food, and a general sense of mischief as they douse each other in dyes and colored powder or water. The large festival has roots to many Hindu legends associated with the triumph of good over evil.

Marie and Mariaam at Holi: Festival of Colours

The Culture Shots team sampled Indian cuisine, learned about the origins of the festival, and took in a fashion show, and Indian-Irish dancing among other cultural performances. We attempted to escape before the ―playing with colours‖ portion of the day kicked-off however, we found ourselves hemmed in at the top of the bleachers with nowhere to go except into the colorful fray. Trekking through town afterwards covered in coloured chalk was interesting, but all in all it was a great day out for the team.

MARCH/APRIL 2012

Intercultural Update In case you missed it, recently there was a nice piece covering Culture Shots and the Intercultural project which appeared in the April 15th Edition of Metro Eireann. It was a nice look back at the project‘s 1-year mark. As you may have heard, it‘s that time of year again: recruitment. We‘re currently looking for 8 new participants to join us in the next training and production round. Additionally, in May the intercultural project will welcome Nalini from Akidwa‘s Door to Work Programme. Nalini will be working with participants and the coordinator to ensure the second round of the intercultural project is even more vibrant than the first.

Culture Shots producer/presenters ―Playing with Colours‖ at Holi: Festival of Colours

You can tune in to Culture Shots on 90.3 fm or live stream at www.near.ie each week, Mondays from 6.30 to 7. To listen to past episodes, log on to: http://nearpodcast.org/pcast/?category_name=cultureshots-nearfm Got friend in other community radio stations across Ireland? Tell them Culture Shots programmes are available for broadcast by other stations via the Craol programme exchange: http://craol.ie/39/0/program-exchange.html This project is co-financed by the European Commission under the European Integration Fund and is supported by the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration in the Department of Justice and Equality and Pobal.

Mariaam dances above the madness of ―Playing with Colours‖ at Holi: Festival of Colours

“GOT FRIEND IN OTHER COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS ACROSS IRELAND? TELL THEM CULTURE SHOTS PROGRAMMES ARE AVAILABLE FOR BROADCAST BY OTHER STATIONS VIA THE CRAOL PROGRAMME EXCHANGE”

nearintercultural.ie www.twitter.com/nearfm

nearpodcast.org

MARCH/APRIL 2012

Update Near Records In March, Near Media Co-Op Committee of Management approved the establishment and debut project for a new venture within the Media Co-op. That being Near Records. An idea that has been on the cards and in the mind‘s eye of many Near Staff and volunteers for a number of years, it has taken a step forward and has been given the green light to help artists in our local community. The project is being spearheaded by The NearFM Sessions presenter Alan Weldon along with the help of The NearFM Sessions Crew and a group of other volunteers from the Station. The project aims to take on a number of artists from the Northside of Dublin on a short term contract and help them to bring their music to a larger audience while imparting the wealth of knowledge that is available within Near about the Irish Music industry. Near Records is set to release its debut album during the Summer 2012. This will be a compilation album featuring the music of the Artists signed to the label. For updates about the project you can join us on the labels Twitter Feed (@nearrecords), facebook page (Facebook.com/nearrecords) or read the labels webpage at http://www.near.ie/records If you would like to volunteer some of your time to the label please contact [email protected]

Near Records main man Alan Weldon at the desk in the Near studios

“FOR UPDATES ABOUT THE PROJECT YOU CAN JOIN US ON THE LABELS TWITTER FEED (@NEARRECORDS), FACEBOOK PAGE (FACEBOOK.COM/NEARRECORDS) OR READ THE LABELS WEBPAGE AT HTTP://WWW.NEAR.IE/RECORDS”

www.Near.ie www.twitter.com/nearfm

nearpodcast.org

MARCH/APRIL 2012

Outreach/Production & Training Update A big welcome to our new volunteers! Over 25 people took part at our last Radio Induction Training in March and we already have received quite a few applications for our next training course and are looking forward to hear new voices in the near future!

Mansion House Launch A big thank you to the Lord Mayor Andrew Montague who kindly invited us into the Mansion House on April 12th to officially launch three of our latest radio series, namely:

Nearfm are hosted by the Lord Mayor in the Oak Room in the Mansion House

―Helping Hands‖ a series which explores a diverse blend of personal stories from immigrants living in Dublin who offer a helping hand to other newcomers to Ireland as they try to settle in their new communities. ―The Changing Face of Fairview‖ – a series celebrating Fairview‘s heritage, community and environment. ―The Northside City of Literature‖ – In celebration of UNESCO choosing Dublin as one of 4 International ‗Cities of Literature‘ in the world, Near Fm is featuring interviews with 5 prominent local authors, discussing and reading their work.

Outside Broadcasts with nearfm th

Pictured here is presenter Edd Kealy talking to former Irish legendary International Johnny Giles.

“A BIG BIG WELCOME TO OUR NEW VOLUNTEERS. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING SOME NEW VOICES ON THE AIRWAVES VERY SOON!”

On Saturday 7 St. Kevin‘s Annual Invitational Tournament, Live coverage with the Sports Local Live Team. th

On Thursday April 19 , Noel McGuinness was present at the ceremony of the planting of an Oak Tree to th commemorate the 40 anniversary of Donaghmede estate. The Lord Mayor was officially marking the ceremony and Noel linked back live into the studio to Mick Fitzgerald during N2D.

nearpodcast.org

MARCH/APRIL 2012

Outreach/Production & Training Update Come out and Celebrate Life! As in previous years, Sphere 17 are organising a week long events to celebrate life and raise awareness on suicide. Many activities and workshops are planned in and around the area th th Darndale from May 14 to 18 . Nearfm will be th doing a live broadcast on Wednesday 16 from 12.00-2.00pm in the Northside Civic Centre, come over and say hello! th

On Friday May 11 , the Northside Civic Centre is turning into a „One Service Expo‟ exhibition space from 10am – 4pm. Along with the Near Media Co-op there will be over 15 service providers present on the day with information desks to inform the public what services are available in the area. There will be also be live music as well as book reading(s) from Joyce‘s Dubliners.

Sphere 17 are organising a week long events to celebrate life and raise awareness on suicide.

Sound and Vision projects Congratulations to all those involved with the 4 successful radio and TV projects from the recent round of Sound and Vision awards from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. We look forward to hearing and seeing CRC Talks 3, Culture Night TV, Return to the Pine Trees and Story? in the near future. April was a busy month as we also submitted four more radio applications and one TV to the next round of the scheme. We‘ll know the results of these in the coming months.

Congratulations to all those involved with the 4 successful radio and TV projects from the recent round of Sound and Vision awards

“ON FRIDAY MAY 11TH, THE NORTHSIDE CIVIC CENTRE IS TURNING INTO A „ONE SERVICE EXPO‟ EXHIBITION SPACE FROM 10AM – 4PM”

MARCH/APRIL 2012

MARCH/APRIL 2012

Community Radio Around Ireland (More from craol.ie) Congratulations to West Limerick 102 who have signed a new 10-year Community Radio Licence with the BAI. Speaking at the contract signing, Michael O‘Keeffe, Chief Executive of the BAI said: ―I would like to congratulate West Limerick Community Radio on today‘s contract signing. Community radio has proven to be an important development initiative for communities across the country. I wish the station every success.‖ In February, West Dublin Access Radio 96fm was honoured to receive from Ghlor na nGael the Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann Award for the major Contribution to the Irish Language in the Community. Station Manager, Liam Flanagan explained that winning the Glór na nGael award ― …It is a great honour for WDAR to be awarded the prize money. It is an even greater honour to be awarded the ―Glór Na Geal‖. We hope to continue and promote the Irish language on community radio in the West Dublin area and are very grateful to the committee for this recognition‖.

Older Womens Network Our community partner, the Older Womens Network (OWN) have just released a new DVD ‗Sexual Abuse and the Older Woman‘, in partnership with the Rape Crisis Centre. 82% of women aged 55 and over are survivors on sexual violence and some 17% of them are supporting someone who had been subjected to sexual violence. More at www.ownireland.ie

Got something to say? The Newsletter is published every two months. Email [email protected] with your contribution