Community radio 2SER accused over axed programs

A review of programming at Radio 2SER is fast turning into a nasty purge of volunteers who have questioned or criticised management in the past, according to several station volunteers.

The UTS based community station is slowly revealing the extent of its current programming overhaul with phone calls and meetings with individual shows and presenters.

A number of high quality and long term programs have been axed which has fuelled speculation that the decisions are not based on merit, but internal politics. So far at least four programs have been axed with very weak reasons given for the decisions.

The shows targeted all have volunteers who last year criticised station mangement and/or signed a petition supporting volunteer rights.

The current station management has consistently refused to even consider a large number of complaints from volunteers. On many occasions management has completely ignored written petitions and letters. In 2012 a lengthy and considered written submission from 34 station volunteers was dismissed without discussion.

 In recent times the station has also:

 -- Abolished the programming committee which had two elected volunteers.

-- Removed all references to democratic process and consultation in the station’s official handbook.

-- Abolished the elected volunteer position on the station’s board of directors in favour of an appointed position.

-- Removed the representative of paid staff from the board of directors.

-- Introduced a contract that gives 2ser total copyright control over material produced by volunteers.

None of the volunteers who contacted Indymedia would speak publicly. They say all 2ser volunteers are now forced to sign a contract containing a clause which prevents volunteers from speaking to the media under any circumstances.

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