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LETTERS OF SUPPORT

Go direct to our Letter of Support sample page click here

Rhema FM's permanent licence is assessed and renewed every five years like all community broadcasters in Australia. Rhema FM's licence was last assessed and renewed in 2004.

Rhema FM's licence renewal application has to be in the hands of the Australian Communications and Media Authority by September this year,  more than a year ahead of its scheduled renewal date of 30th  November 2009.

What makes this licence renewal different from Rhema's first licence renewal of 2004 is that the authority for the first time is now requiring all renewal applications to have "Letters of Support" from listeners, members and the Christian community stating why they want the Authority to renew the licence.

In assessing whether or not to renew an existing  licence, the Authority (ACMA) will be looking for sound financial support for Rhema FM from its 'Community of Interest' via membership, donations, Letters of Support and community involvement. Since March 2007, ACMA has been given new legislated powers that enable it to 'revoke' a permanent community broadcaster's licence if the authority deems that there is insufficient support from the community.

Since mid 2007 up until just recently,  there have been  cases where the authority made a decision not to renew the  licence applications for nine (9) community radio stations. This has caused a shock wave in the community radio sector across the nation. In such cases community broadcasters can re-apply for a TCBL licence (Temporary community broadcasting licence) and will be allowed to apply to broadcast again on a temporary basis. Often this results in the service being required to 'share' air-time with other applicants, who may wish to do the same in the community and means that the applicant's hours of broadcasting will be limited either daily, weekly or monthly.

Right now Rhema FM needs your help more than ever. We're asking for everyone - whether you are a member, a donor or listener to write a letter of support. We've made it very simple for you, just click on the link below and this will help and guide you on you how you can best write your own personal letter. Then send it by mail or email to Rhema FM for inclusion with our licence renewal application. Please click on the link today, time is running out and we need thousands of letters.

Let's not risk what took over fourteen (14) years to gain.
Thank you for choosing to write today!

Go direct to our Letter of Support sample page click here