Culture

from New Zealand musician Dudley Benson regarding the future of Radio One 91FM

As an independent artist originally from Christchurch, having been based in Auckland for the last five years and now living in Dunedin, I have spent a significant amount of time and energy working with and listening to the bNet stations of these centres. Through these experiences, my view is that Radio One is an exceptional station. This is largely due to the calibre of the presenters and their individual styles in producing their shows, playlists and interviews. It is worth noting that Radio One does this on what I am certain is a lesser budget than the bNets of Auckland and Wellington, and potentially Christchurch, and yet have maintained not only a consistently high standard of broadcasting, but also a unique flavour which separates it from the other regionals.
 
Radio One is an important and necessary tool in supporting the livelihood of independent artists both from here and wider Aotearoa. It is a stalwart supporter of local content, and has a reputation for the same. Should for any reason the station not be allowed to continue, I think a vital channel of communicating new and independent music from artists to Dunedin listeners would be lost, and something that I consider uniquely 'Dunedin' and uniquely 'University of Otago' to be destroyed.
 
I think that in an ideal world, Radio One deserves not to be under threat, but the reverse - they need more funding support. With the resourcefulness of the people that the station clearly relies on, I believe more funding support would take it to new heights of high-quality independent broadcasting.
 
Radio One 91FM is under threat. To find out what is going on and show your support visit r1.co.nz