Campaigns

Nick Clegg backs community radio campaign

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Lib Dem Leader and Sheffield Hallam MP, Nick Clegg, has pledged his backing to a joint campaign launched by Sheffield Live! 93.2 FM and other community radio stations for a substantial increase in the Community Radio Fund. The government-backed Fund has not grown in size since it was set up in 2005, while the number of community radio stations has increased from 14 to more than 150 on air.

Clegg said, in a letter: “I remember our discussion at Sheffield Live and have seen the letter sent to Gordon Brown on your website. I am happy to lend my support to your campaign.”

Sangita Basudev, Chief Executive of Sheffield Live! 93.2 FM said: “We are delighted to have Nick Clegg’s support. We have written to all of Sheffield’s MPs asking them to get behind the campaign and to ensure a fair settlement for community radio in the current government review.”

The Community Radio Fund is described by Steve Buckley, Director of Sheffield Live! 93.2FM as “.. woefully inadequate” and he’s heading a plea for a fair share of Government funding arrangements for public service broadcasting. Buckley says the new sector is in a precarious situation: “Six stations have failed to launch, three have handed back their licences. Others are at high risk. This is not only a result of the recession but is also a direct consequence of a failure in government policy to ensure funding arrangements keep pace with development.”

You can read read more about the campaign by following this link

An Open Letter To Gordon Brown

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The 20th July marked the fifth anniversary of the legislation that enabled Sheffield Live and other community radio stations to start broadcasting. Since then more than 200 community radio services have been licensed and around 150 are on air, creating around 400 jobs, involving over 10,000 volunteers, and serving a potential audience of more than 10 million people. Ofcom’s latest Annual Report hailed community radio as “one of the great UK broadcasting success stories of the last few years”, but that success could turn to failure if much needed Government support is not forthcoming, according to community radio groups and their supporters.

The Community Radio Fund is described by Steve Buckley, Director of Sheffield Live! 93.2FM as “.. woefully inadequate”. Steve says the new sector is in a precarious situation: “To put it in context, the money available today through the Community Radio Fund to support the operating costs of 150 community radio stations is less than the annual salary of a BBC Radio 1 breakfast DJ.”

An open letter has been written to the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, signed by 82 community radio leaders, media scholars and experts including representatives of 60 community radio stations, in a bid to raise awareness of the threat to community radio.

Add your support by donating to your local community radio and by writing now to your local MP and the Prime Minister.

You can read and download the letter by following this link

Rave Against Racism at the The Corporation

On Sunday the 24th of May, a special “Rave Against Racism” three stage event will be taking place at “The Corporation” here in Sheffield, with a headline set from The Orb.

All proceeds from the event will be going to straight to Sheffield Live! helping us to continue providing a an eclectic mix of original programming by local people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds.

Rave Against Racism is a non-profit organisation that raises awareness around the issues surrounding the far-right and supports community groups and individuals around the world. It was set up in January 2009 to help and support promoters, clubbers and ravers in the ongoing fight against the far right in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. The people involved have a long history of free parties, being promoters or punters and an interest in anti far-right politics and activism. We want to help support people who may well be turned off by mainstream politics to get involved in the local community groups that are in their area and if needs, help them setting up their own groups. Our primary focus is Anti Fascism and raising awareness and having a damn good time whilst doing so. We want to encourage people to meet and mix and share ideas and ideals whether online or out in the real world.

The bands take to the stage from 9pm and the event runs till 4am. Tickets are priced at £12 and can be purchased online through the Corporation website.

UPDATE: You can now view pictures from this event at our Image Gallery

Rave Against Racism Advert

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The Line Up

Live Arena

The Orb ( LIVE with Visual Show )
Mixmaster Morris ( Big Chill / Ninja Tune / Samurai FM / Irresistible Force )
Celt Islam featuring Bongo Chilli + Danman  LIVE  ( Kritical Mass Records  /  Lone Trader Records)
Alphadrive LIVE ( R.A.R. )
Ann-D ( Headcharge / R.A.R. )
Lady Muckcedes + Mr Benz ( Sunshine Girls / R.A.R. )
Urban Truffle ( Chimp Makes Noise / R.A.R. )

Arena 2

Mixmaster Morris ( Big Chill / Ninja Tune / Samurai FM / Irresistible Force )
Oris Jay / Darqwan ( Texture UK )
Mikey J ( Tuesday Club )
Alex Deadman + MC Walker ( Junglist Alliance / Dark Crystal / R8 Records )
Fattasound ( Dubcentral / Universal HiFi )
Si Cheese ( Dirty Cheese )
DJ Disorientalist ( Disoriental / R.A.R. )

Arena 3

A+D+A+M Lab4 ( LIVE with Laser Show )
Space Sentinelz ( Headcharge / Twisted Traxx / R.A.R. )
Kam-Pain ( Headcharge / Easy Skankin’ Records / R.A.R. )
Freaktechnique (  Headcharge / R.A.R. )
Kickflip ( Urban Gorilla / Headcharge / Fat Records / R.A.R. )
John Wainwright ( Headcharge / Likebreaks / R.A.R. )
Geenius ( Headcharge / Likebreaks / R.A.R. )

‘The Shakespeare’ Benefit Gig: 9th of May

On Saturday 9th May The Shakespeare public house and Sheffield Live! 93.2FM are teaming up to host an amazing variety of superb Sheffield based acts, including:

Johnny and the “Prison Didn’t Help” Boys

Bell Hagg Orkestar

King Capisce

& Sun

Plus if you’re lucky; a few special surprises…

Doors open at 8 PM, performances start at 8:30.

Tickets can be bought on the evening, £7 (waged), £5 (not waged), but if you want to assure your place or want information, call 07818 288 092.

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World Press Freedom Day: 3rd of May

In dozens of countries around the world, journalists, editors and publishers are murdered, assaulted, detained and harassed simply for telling the truth. Their publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down for daring to voice opinions contrary to those of their governments.

Today is ‘World Press Freedom Day‘ which exists to recognise the sacrifices made in the struggle for freedom of the press and to put pressure on governments that continue to deny their citizens this basic human right. The ‘3 May‘ message is that journalists everywhere must be granted the right to report freely and without fear.

The date marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of principles drawn up by African journalists in 1991, calling for a free, independent and pluralistic media on that continent and throughout the world. The Declaration afirms that a free press is essential to the existence of democracy and a fundamental human goal. The Declaration is a milestone in the struggle for a free press in all regions of the world.

At a time when human rights and democratic development hang in the balance in so many countries, no one can be complacent. 3 May is the day on which the media can remind governments and the public of the importance of freedom of the press and of how the gobal battle to attain it, continues.

This years ‘annual world press freedom’ prize went, posthumously to a courageous sri lankan news editor, Wickrematunge, who was assassinated in January. He wrote his own obituary before he was killed. It was published in his newspaper 3 days later. See, this website for more details

Sheffield Live! fully supports ‘World Press Freedom Day‘ and asks if you are interested in this campaign to check out the website and find out how you can get involved.

Bhangra Night at DQ

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As part of our ‘Spring 2009 Appeal’, Sheffield Live! presents an amazing night of Bhangra music at DQ on Fitzwilliam Street. Featuring DJ sets by Surindar Singh, Aman Zahid and Sarbjit Kaur. It’s all happening this Thursday the 30th of April and entry is just a recession-busting £3 pounds!! 

Remember, this is your opportunity to enjoy a wonderful night of Punjabi music and also show your personal support for Sheffield Live!

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Jack Evans “Marathon Man”

People all across the Sheffield region are currently helping out with our Spring 2009 appeal. Some by giving up their time and some by giving up much, much more! Take for example Jack Evans; one of our duty managers here at the station. This weekend he raised over £150 by running the “Sheffield Half Marathon” on behalf of Sheffield Live! and finishing in a very respectable time of ‘1 hour 55 minutes’. Before running the marathon he spoke to Fabian Beckett, part our Communities Live! team, about his preparations and his personal choice of motivational Ipod music.

Jack Evans

“Radiothon” Coming to Sheffield’s Airwaves

Sheffield Live! 93.2 FM, the local community radio, is to launch its first “radiothon”, a week long fundraising campaign on-the-air and in venues across Sheffield, starting Monday 27 April 2009.

The Sheffield Live! Spring Appeal 2009 marks 18 months on-air as a full-time community radio service for Sheffield Live! 93.2 FM and celebrates World Press Freedom Day 2009 on 3 May.

Sheffield Live! volunteer programme makers and presenters will drop their usual schedule to broadcast a round-the-clock campaign for listener donations and support. The Sheffield Live! Spring 2009 Appeal is supported by local musicians and artists who will be performing at venues around Sheffield as well as donating music tracks to a Sheffield Live! digital compilation.

Sangita Basudev, Chief Executive of Sheffield Live! said: “This is the first time that Sheffield Live! has organised an on-air fundraising appeal of this kind. We have been delighted by the number of offers of help and assistance that have already come forward. We are just hoping the enormous goodwill there is towards our work will be translated into real contributions and support.”

Local musicians backing the appeal include Toddler T, Mark Stoney and Mim Suleiman. The Harley will host a Sheffield Live! Showcase of local bands on Wednesday 29 April while other activities include a Jazz night at the Riverside on Monday, a latin music night at Cubana on Tuesday and a bhangra music night at DQ on Thursday. On Saturday, 2 May, Sticky music collective will join forces with Sheffield Live!for a day long local music event at the Stockroom.

Sheffield Live! is a not-for-profit community organisation that provides media facilities, training and broadcast services in support of community voices and cultural diversity. The Sheffield Live! Spring 2009 Appeal aims to raise funds to support programme making of community benefit, media training for disadvantaged groups and the provision of public access media facilities.

Throughout the week, the Communities Live! team at Sheffield Live! will be broadcasting from the Winter Gardens, where members of the public can drop by and find out how to get involved.

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