Progress has been steady since infantile days when the Victoria University Radio Club used to broadcast from one small room into the Cafe. In 1976 it received its first licence to broadcast, and joined the commercial "heavies" such as 2ZM and Radio Windy on the radio dial. This year has seen developments such as greater financial stability through advertising revenue and a student levy, and the setting up of a VUWSA committee specifically to deal with Radio Active - The Radio Board. (This is a twin organisation to the Publications Board which manages Salient, and The Handbook.) Plans for the future include going FM and eventually provide a full-year service. The 'baby' is definitely growing up.

Martin Fowler, Radio Active's Station Manager describes Radio Active's role as primarily an ''information and entertainment service for students." He justifies its existence "In the past printed media (Salient) has been sufficient for the flow of information. With increasing technological advances it has been an obvious progression to a radio medium." Another dimension has been added to student expression. Fowler stresses this point, "Radio Active is an access for student opinion and expression."

There are however limitations to what Radio Active can broadcast. Freedom of speech and expression is not a phrase to be taken literally! IN the interests of impartial and non-partisan, Radio Active cannot broadcast any religious, political trade union or controversial matter. Fowle points out the paradox that although Radio Active is the offical VUWSA radio station it is not able to promote many of VUWSA's views. Any disregard of the restrictions would result in a severe rap on the knuckles from the Tribunal.

The Tribunal is the Government authority which monitors Radio Active and grants it the licence to broadcast. Originally all applications for licences went BCNZ but with the mushrooming of private radio, a separate body was created - the Tribunal's Division of the Justice Department. Every time Radio Active go on air, a 20-30 page application is made for a temporary licence. This year it applied for 2 weeks in August, 2 weeks for Capping and 4 weeks for Orientation.