Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 44 No. 5. March 30 1981

A Unique Style

A Unique Style

Radio Active doesn't model itself on the standards of other radio stations, especially the slick style of commercial radio eg 2ZM. Fowler says, "Radio has become very robot-like. Stations are becoming very systematic." Radio: Active aims to restore the human element to broadcasting. Says Fowler, ''We aim to sound friendly, easy to communicate." He also points out that students are easier to cater for because their musical tastes are fairly homogenous.

Students' musical and radio preferences were ascertained by a survey held during Orientation 1980. The survey results seemed to validate most preconceptions. Large numbers of students like rock, blues, jazz and dislike disco and Top 40 music. One surprise finding, however, was that a large group of students like classical music. Radio Active's programming attempts to cater for the musical preferences drawn from the survey. Says Fowler, "Other stations play mindless background music. We aim to find something a little bit deeper in the music.''!

Radio Active staff are all students working on a volunteer basis. The Radio Board appoints the Station Manager and the Business Manager. In the very important area of programming there is a Programme Director, Assistent PD and Music Director. There is also a schedules clerk who coordinates all advertising. The news staff of about 7 people are controlled by the news editor. (Radio Active pays about $700 for international news from the NZPA). On the technical side there is a Technical Director, 2 or 3 technicians and a Chief Engineer. In the field of business there is a Promotions Manager and 2 or 3 Sales Representatives who sell advertising for a 10% commission. And then of course there are the announcers - about 10 or 15 of them. A large staff.