History
In the 1970s, activists in Queensland were pivotal in establishing Australian community radio amidst a conservative political climate. Australia's first community station, 4ZZZ, launched on December 8, 1975, in Brisbane, aimed to provide a radical alternative to mainstream news, promote community engagement and activism, and support Australian music. [3] The station was the first FM community broadcaster in Brisbane transmitting in stereo. [3] [4] This model inspired other stations across the state. Today, there are 70 community radio stations in Queensland, including Indigenous services. Despite the significant contributions of women, trans, and non-binary individuals, their roles have often been overlooked. [5]
The station's first studios were constructed by announcing staff and volunteers, using second-hand building materials and furniture. The first transmitter was hand built by the station engineer Ross Dannecker with help from Dave Aberdeen. Founders included activist, Jim Beatson, journalist Marian Wilkinson, Arts Administrator, John Stanwell and academic Alan Knight. Announcer John Woods launched the station with The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" at Midday 8 December 1975 (a month after The Dismissal). Along with 2JJJ and 3RRR, 4ZZZ has been a major promoter of independent and alternative music providing exposure for many Australian and international artists. Through the late 1970s and early 1980s the station also produced many groundbreaking and award-winning features and documentaries.
On 30 November 1978, the transmitter moved from the University of Queensland student union building to Mount Coot-tha when the station was granted a full licence. At this time, the frequency changed from 105.7 MHz to 102.1 Mhz. [6]
4ZZZ pushed the boundaries by broadcasting illegal obscenities. In 1981 an organisation called "The Society to Outlaw Pornography" reported them to the Australian Broadcasting Authority. 4ZZZ successfully defended themselves, leading to changes which make it legal to swear on Australian TV and radio under certain circumstances. [7] [8]
On 14 December 1988, as part of a conservative backlash to the ousting of Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, 4ZZZ was taken off air and forcibly evicted from its University of Queensland premises by the then UQ Union ALSF and Young Nationals student union executive. While university students rallied to support the station, 4ZZZ moved to alternative premises on Coronation Drive in the suburb of Toowong. In 1994 the station was able to obtain a loan to buy the former headquarters of the Communist Party of Australia. 4ZZZ still broadcasts from these premises on Barry Parade in Fortitude Valley.
Station philosophy and funding
The motto for the station is agitate, educate, organise. (The saying dates from New York in the early 1880s.) [9] They aim to "Provide a voice for marginalised communities" - [10]
4ZZZ aims to challenge the mainstream media by providing access for the community to radio, by supporting local bands, artists and events, by providing training for station volunteers, and by disseminating alternative news and current affairs. [3]
All fundraising is run by the station. The main sources of income are subscriptions, sponsorship, promotions and 4ZZZ events. 4ZZZ collaborates with local businesses, gig promoters, etc. to provide incentives such as discounts for subscribers.
The station's volunteers have won many awards including Community Broadcasting Association of Australia awards and national media awards.
In 2015 4ZZZ won the Tony Staley Award for excellence in community broadcasting for its efforts to include more people with a disability via the Ability Radio Project and appointed the first Station Advocate for People with a Disability in 2017. [11]
Programming
As a community radio station, 4ZZZ broadcasts a wide variety of music, information and news. Presenters do not have to follow a playlist. Announcers personally choose the on-air musical content, or station subscribers request tracks. Unlike other radio stations, there is no music or program director. There are coordinators for those departments, however the ultimate decision rests with the program makers who must abide by the station policy.
The station has set minimum quotas for music content since the 1980's with the original floor quotas set for female & Non-binary, Australian and New Zealand, Brisbane and South-East Queensland Artists. 4ZZZ also sets a target for New music (defined as any new song published in the last 4 months)
The quotas and targets have changed over the course of the station's history, with New Zealand quotas being dropped, and Quotas for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander produced content added. The below table is an abridged history of those changes
| Quota Type | 1980 | 2017 | 2019* |
|---|
| Female and Non Binary Artists | 30% | 50%** | 50% |
| Austrialian Artists*** | 30% | 50% | 50% |
| Brisbane & South East Queensland Artists | 15% | 15% | 30% |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artists | - | - | 5% |
| New Songs (Released in the last 4 months) | 30% | 30% | 30% |
| * Current Quotas ** Aspirational Target set in 2017 *** Included New Zealand artists up to 2017 |
All 4ZZZ announcers are current financial subscribers to the station as well as dedicated volunteers who have completed the station's In House Announcer Training.
The programming strategy has evolved in the station over time, but the current approach breaks shows into 4 distinct groups, General music shows, Specialist Music Shows that focus on a single or set of genres, News and Current Affairs programming, and Sociocultural Shows which focus on a subculture of the audience.
A full list of shows is availalbe on their website, below are a few examples of each programming category
General Music Shows
Brighten the Corners - A show of mostly post-punk music from local and australian bands with Ian and Adelle
The Brown Couch - 4ZZZ's Thursday afternoon request show with Paulie D and Ben
To Infinity - A pop culture and pop music program with Bryant and Darcy
this! - Power pop & rock and roll with Robert
Wildcard - Morning comedy and performing arts program with Orlando Furious & Chachie
Specialist Music Shows
Dark Essence - Electric and Industrial music with Josh
Electric Crush - Underground electronic music with Nam-Shub, Kamu, Rob & Orthotyp-a
Goldilocks Folk - Folk, acoustic, blues, roots, reggae, country, Americana, funk & groove with Tina
The Jazz Show - Classic and modern jazz with Don, Knox and Andrew
The New Zealand Show - New Zealand based bands and artists with Lindsay, Bernie and Jeff
Nothin But The Blues - US and local blues with Lynne and Jules
4ZZZ Punk Show- Classic and new punk including pop, garage, street, hardcore, crust, powerviolence and grind with Nel, Josh, Steph and the Punk Show Collective
SkaTrek - Ska Music and related genres with the SkaTrek Crew
News and Current Affairs
Brisbane Line - 4ZZZ's Flagship News and Current Affairs Show
Eco Radio - Sustainability, environment, non-violence and wildlife show with Dave, Issy & Zack.
Megaherzzz - Feminist Show with Sarah & Denise
Only Human - Disabled led community radio highlighting disability and social justice issues with Belle, SteveK, Brody, MC Chosen & Nate
Paradigm Shift - Political alternative, protest, justice, solidarity and sustainability topics with Andy
The Pineapple Rebellion - State Politics, Local Politics and activism from here and around the country with Alexis and Izrin
Radio Reversal - modern academic, political and sociological analysis of societal issues with Shreya, Anna, Natalie, Han, Lamisse, Aleea and Helen
Sociocultural Shows
Dykes on Mykes - General News, Views, music and fun produced for the queer and lesbian community in Brisbane with Ruth, Kate, Bec
Film Club - Lively discussions about new cinema releases, interviews, guests, plus the latest film-related events with Garry, Gabrielle, Hannah, Adam, Sally and Peter
Indigi-Briz- Indigenous Interviews and yarns, deadly discussions, community announcements and alternative news with DJ J4H (Jarra)
Locked In (Prisoners' Request Show) - A program that focuses on people that are currently in jail in QLD who write into our show to have personal messages and song requests played on air each week with the Locked In Crew
Queer Radio - The world's longest continuously running diverse in gender & sexuality radio show with Blair, Brody & Jack
World Beat - Traditional music from international artists and bands with Rick and Garry
