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

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