Can We Ban?

[telabadmanwot]

Can we stop internet radio stations from asking DJs to PAY for a slot on their 'popular' radio stations?

I think the volunteering section of the site is a great idea and DJs willing to offer their professional service for free to start up stations is great, it gives new stations quality content. BUT there seems to be some serious confusion on which way the money should be going. Iv never come across any other job where you might be expected to PAY to work???



...it would be good if stations asking for DJs, would leave an email address too.

 

[General Lighting]

Private media companies in the UK do often try charging for work experience and not only end up being berated by more liberal media and trade unions but even get warned by current government (which is supposedly pro business) and the tax authorities they may be breaking the law.

it is permissible to ask a volunteer to provide a small sum towards running expenses of a voluntary organisation and this arrangement is widely used for hobby groups for such things as sports, amateur radio, arts groups etc but the organisation needs to have a full constitution, transparent accountancy procedures and all sorts of other stuff. Most EU countries have similar legislation.

One reason why Ofcom (UK Communications Ministry) cracked down hard on pirates is that some used to charge the DJ's to play, though most of this money went on replacing transmitters confiscated by the authorities or stolen by other pirates. However Internet broadcasters do not have this problem, and usually the DJs/presenters have already invested time and money in setting up their studios/

Whilst its also not illegal to resell a streaming service its not particularly ethical to do so using the support forum of another company selling them, and anyone doing so isn't a radio broadcaster any more than the telephone company is - even though in some countries the telephone companies sellsservices to broadcasters (including high quality audio links and sometimes looks after transmitters as well.

In the UK Arqiva (which is a company formed from joining up part of NTL and a division of BT) does this, and advertises in radio trade publications, for instace Capital Radio pays Arqiva for the links and the transmitters they use.and you don't see Arqiva recruiting radio presenters!

 

[telabadmanwot]

You Alex are quite possibly the most knowledgeable person I have ever come across when it comes to broadcasting.

Thank you once again for your input. A wealth of information as always, even on my little rant.

Morally I know that asking a service provider (in this case a DJ) to pay for something that the beneficiary can gain from financially, is wrong. But I did not realize that there was regulation to stop legitimate companies from charging people to work (1 step worse than slavery). At least a slave was historically fed, watered and not charged to complete work.

 

[OPFradio]

Private media companies in the UK do often try charging for work experience and not only end up being berated by more liberal media and trade unions but even get warned by current government (which is supposedly pro business) and the tax authorities they may be breaking the law.

it is permissible to ask a volunteer to provide a small sum towards running expenses of a voluntary organisation and this arrangement is widely used for hobby groups for such things as sports, amateur radio, arts groups etc but the organisation needs to have a full constitution, transparent accountancy procedures and all sorts of other stuff. Most EU countries have similar legislation.

One reason why Ofcom (UK Communications Ministry) cracked down hard on pirates is that some used to charge the DJ's to play, though most of this money went on replacing transmitters confiscated by the authorities or stolen by other pirates. However Internet broadcasters do not have this problem, and usually the DJs/presenters have already invested time and money in setting up their studios/

Whilst its also not illegal to resell a streaming service its not particularly ethical to do so using the support forum of another company selling them, and anyone doing so isn't a radio broadcaster any more than the telephone company is - even though in some countries the telephone companies sellsservices to broadcasters (including high quality audio links and sometimes looks after transmitters as well.

In the UK Arqiva (which is a company formed from joining up part of NTL and a division of BT) does this, and advertises in radio trade publications, for instace Capital Radio pays Arqiva for the links and the transmitters they use.and you don't see Arqiva recruiting radio presenters!

You forgot to mention Franchise Limited Companies.
Franchising is the practice of using another firm's successful business model / business name.
The word 'franchise' is of Anglo-French derivation - fromfranc - and is used both as a noun and as a (transitive) verb. For the franchisor, the franchise is an alternative to building 'chain stores' or building a successful network of goodwill to distribute goods that avoids the investments and liability of a chain.

The franchisor's success depends on the success of the franchisees (operator). The franchisee is said to have a greater incentive than a direct employee because he or she has a direct interest in the business as an operator.
Essentially, and in terms of distribution, the franchisor is a supplier who allows an operator, or a franchisee, to use the supplier's trademark / registered limited company name to and distribute the supplier's goods.

In return, the operator pays the supplier a fee.[SUP]

[/SUP]

 

[General Lighting]

lots of well known brands are franchises (ITV and Independent Local Radio was run in this manner) what you say is completely true, they are still ultimately responsible for compliance with regulations.

Arqiva was once the Government owned IBA and used to supply franchises for the broadcasters, but even then it did not directly get involved in broadcasting (though it did oversee quality of both local TV and radio).

There are a lot of franchises and/or private companies which are in fact volunteer run as its more difficult to get charity status (our local community radio station tried this a couple of times but it was not possible).

In all cases what really matters is that the organisation is 100% transparent about what are paid jobs and what are volunteer positions (to be fair OPF appears to do just that, although when I tried to listen in I only got a very low bit rate stream, perhaps I clicked on the wrong link.)