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In the UK licenced communiy radio is about 8 years old and there are now coming up to 200 stations. Some of these are for fairly general audiences based in a smallish geographic area of about 5k radius and some serve specific communities based on for example,  language, (Dessi serves the Punjabi community), age, (Takeover volunteers 'retire' when they are 18) or ethnicity (Diverse celebrates the many ethnic groups in the town of Luton). The station that I am associated with is Radio LaB, which is based at the University of Bedfordshire, also in Luton.

When I read some of your stories, we have it pretty easy in many ways. Community radio broadcasters in the UK are not usually threatened and generally are seen as local people who facilitate and aid the local community by providing relevant information and  entertainment.

In particular I think it is always worth remembering the role that music plays in radio content and in peoples' personal cultures. Community radio can provide alternative views to the main stream media and deal with serious and weighty matters, but it can also uplift spirits and moral by providing an eclectic range of music unheard of on any other radio station.

How are others entertaining listeners? What music do you play?

Janey