The Pirate Possibility

One thing seems sure. No matter how reticent the Active crew might be about the appropriate form of branching out, they will not do so if it puts them in legal jeopardy. There's good reason for this. The individuals concerned could face a $2,000 fine each and / or six months imprisonment and / or confiscation of all their equipment. The insurance company, the only one dealing in this type of policy (State), might drop them and they legally need a license to broadcast. And the Association could be "in a power of strife".

Most people wouldn't realise, says Campbell, that they are insured for defamation to the tune of $50,000 with the Union Building assurety. What happened in Auckland when Radio B did an illegal broadcast? "The Students Association was taken to court". All this makes it look like Active has a very good case for staying safe. Yet the Auckland case was dropped. "We do have a lot of leniency," admits Campbell. "Even if we did an illegal broadcast we'd probably get away with it".

If this is the case, have they ever thought of creating a real student radio catering for a wide range of student interests by taking direct action with student support mobilised behind them? "Ideally," says Campbell, moving off the the question of content, "What we want is a full time license in the FM [unclear: bana], for six hours a night". When the question is repeated, he says that already Radio U in Christchurch has been told to stop political broadcasting. "The Minister said stop or you'll be taken off the air. It's as simple as that.

Campbell agrees that "what you say about commenting on things is valid. But, "he winds up with a shrug, "the restrictions have been there for so long, it's sort of taken the wind out of our sails." And on a positive note "There may be changes coming up".