1. a BRIEF HISTORY/ INFORMATION ON FOCUS FM
Focus FM- 94.3 MHz is a community radio located on the campus of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. It was set up in the year 2000 A.D. The stakeholders are the UNIVERSITY, SRC and GRASAG. The core objectives for the establishment of the station was to inform, educate and entertain the entire university community and the surrounding communities. The main source of funding is from students’ contributions to the Focus FM development account.
b. HOW FOCUS FM IS DEFINED
Focus FM as community radio, on the other hand, aims not only to participate in the life of the community but also to allow the community to participate in the life of the station. Only Community Radio is based, unequivocally, on this reason for being. This is why it should always be distinguished from commercial and state radio – neither of which is seeks public participation, except when it suits them to do so. Other stations offer ready-made programmes; Focus FM offers democratic access to the activity of programme making itself. rather than being communicated at, people are offered the opportunity to communicate themselves.
C. WHY FOCUS FM IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER STATIONS
Knowing who we are and who we are not keeping us focused on the tasks ahead. We are more effective because we think of ourselves less as radio broadcasters and more as community activists. This won’t stop us from developing our radio skills, but it may help your other capacities.
Fundamentally, Focus FM believes that community radio is as flexible and spontaneous as the human mind. The only limit is your imagination
2. PROGRAMMING ISSUES
In general programming terms, FOCUS FM experiment with alternative formats and treatments to ensure that we have a beneficial effect on our community, for example, community radio should encourage all within its hearing to live democratically, to respect other opinions, to develop a living spirit of community. We could introduce new realities, alternative models of society, tell different stories, experiment with dialogue techniques, and facilitate personal growth and community development.
We are developing a model for Community Radio which will build on the following components:
Finance:
We are a not-for-profit project. We will secure our income from:
* Focus FM Development Fund.
* A form of commercial Sponsorship aim at serving the community, and
* A range of community/listener supported fundraisers.
Programming:
Focus FM based on the criteria of community development programming. This will be underpinned by regular qualitative research, and we will respond to this information with appropriate training and programme developments.
Ownership / Management:
Focus FM is based on an accountable, democratic, co-operative model. We will be as decentralized as possible and will seek equality in all management and decision making structures.
Focus FM as a Community Radio Station: THE MISSION
- Provide access to training, production and distribution facilities;
-encourage local creative talent and foster local traditions, and
- provide programmes for the benefit, entertainment, education, and development of their listeners;
-believes in specializing in performance in order to increase our listenership base.
In keeping with the stated objectives of our Community Radio Station, programming will incorporate a positive emphasis on:(VISION)
* Facilitating and supporting community development
* Contributing to the media diversity in our area.
* Encouraging education and life-long learning.
* Providing information on employment and other issues which will assist people in meeting their information needs
* Providing access for a wide range of groups within the community, in particular minorities and those under-represented in public service and commercial media
* Providing a platform for local arts, musical, literary, sports, and other cultural activities
* Providing a platform for Ghanaian culture, including the Ghanaian language and Ghanaian music
* Promoting civic pride
All of our proposed programmes will be measured against the station’s objectives and the policy statement, and against any guidelines laid down from time to time by the Programming Committee.
Focus FM as a Community Radio Stations;
Promote the right to communicate, assist the free flow of information and opinions, encourage creative expression and contribute to the democratic process and pluralist society. Community Radio Charter for Europe, Point 1.
The Programming Committee is appointed by the Committee of Management to supervise the broadcasting schedule. The Programming Committee also includes the Station Manager as she/he is central to the Schedule. The Committee’s job is to plan the schedule, allocate time to new programmes, revise the Schedule and individual programmes on a continuous basis, and deal with problems relating to broadcasting as they arise.
