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Protocol for RPH Broadcasting
This document was developed by RPH Australia as a framework for RPH broadcasters to produce RPH programs for use on their local station. The Community Broadcasting Codes of Practice form an integral part of this document.
Introduction
Radio for the Print Handicapped (RPH) aims to provide, through radio, a service that meets the particular needs of people who have a "Print Handicap".
Its primary purpose is to reduce the information gap between those people who have access to print and those who do not.
RPH services provide access to information and entertainment that is available to the general community in printed or visual form, but is not easily accessible by people with a print disability.
Australia's print handicapped population consists of people who, through age, disability or lack of literacy skills are unable to physically handle books or newspapers or to read or comprehend printed
material.
RPH Programming
RPH services can be provided in two ways:
- Through dedicated RPH Stations. There are currently eleven licensed RPH community stations (one in each State capital, one in Canberra and rural services in Albury, Bendigo, Mildura and
Shepparton) that broadcast solely for the benefit of print handicapped listeners. Future, services may be licensed to serve regional and remote areas, as community or narrowcast stations.
- Through blocks of RPH programming broadcast on general community or other radio stations. These programs may be produced by the local station, an independent program producer or one of the
dedicated RPH services.
RPH programming comprises:
- readings of news and feature articles from daily and other general circulation newspapers;
- subject based programs, that feature readings in an identified topic area, from newspapers, magazines, other publications and ephemeral reading material;
- serialised book readings; and
- interviews, presentations and other features that relate to subjects that are of particular importance or interest to the print handicapped audience.
RPH in the Wider Community
Because of its unique role, RPH broadcasting enjoys substantial support from Government and the wider community. This takes the form of:
- provision, by the Commonwealth, of spectrum, broadcasting licences and transmission facilities for the dedicated RPH services;
- ongoing financial assistance from the Commonwealth, several State Governments and the general community;
- Public Benevolent Institution status and thus various taxation concessions for dedicated RPH Stations and the RPH Australia (Australian Council for Radio for the Print Handicapped);
- special arrangements for the administration of copyright requirements, in relation to the broadcast of pre-published printed material by dedicated stations
While, to date, this support has been directed, in the main, to the city based dedicated RPH stations, it should be noted that the Commonwealth
has indicated its desire that a reasonable share of its ongoing financial support be directed to the provision of RPH services that meet the information needs of people with a print disability who reside in non-metropolitan areas.
For its part, RPH Australia (Australian Council for Radio for the Print Handicapped) has committed itself to the further development of the service through the following initiatives:
- establishment of additional dedicated RPH stations;
- production and satellite distribution of national RPH programming that can be relayed through general community, narrowcast or other radio services;
- stimulation of locally produced RPH programming for broadcast on community and other rural and remote area radio services;
- extension of the current copyright arrangements to cover accredited RPH program makers and broadcasters;
- restructuring of RPH Australia (Australian Council for Radio for the Print Handicapped) so as to better facilitate the involvement of
local program makers and non dedicated broadcasters in the national organisation.
At the same time, RPH broadcasters must operate in an environment where they are subject to legislative and regulatory requirements and the influence of Government policy and community expectation.
- The Broadcasting Services Act, 1992, provides the framework for licensing of the dedicated RPH stations as "Community Broadcasters"
. The Act provides specifically for the participation of the Community of Interest (people with a print disability) in the planning, management and delivery of the service. Community stations that
include RPH material in their programming mix are also subject to these requirements.
- While the Copyright Act, 1968, includes a provision which allows dedicated RPH stations to broadcast pre-published material without the specific advance agreement of the copyright owner, RPH
services are, none the less, subject to the broader requirements of the Act in relation to the integrity of the published material they broadcast, and acknowledgment of its source, publisher etc. This
requirement may become more specific with the enactment shortly of Moral Rights Legislation, as foreshadowed by the Federal Government.
- The Disability Discrimination Act, 1992, and various State and Territory anti-discrimination legislation, has particular relevance to RPH providers in relation to such things as the provision of
information that might assist a person with a print disability to make full use of the service or to participate in its conduct.
- Several of the dedicated RPH Services either receive direct funding support from their State's Disability Services Program or are part of a
larger organisation that is in receipt of such funding. State Disability Services funding is subject to an agreement between the Commonwealth and States which includes a requirement that all
funded services must comply with the Principles and Objectives that are appended to the Commonwealth's Disability Services Act 1986. As a result, these stations must apply the DSA Principles and
Objectives to their functioning. These Principles and Objectives articulate the rights that people with disabilities have in relation to their access to disability services.
- Of the seven Principles (which are supported by fourteen Objectives) the following have particular relevance in the context of an RPH Service:
- 4) People with disabilities have the same right as other members of Australian society to services which will support their attaining a reasonable quality of life.
- 5) People with disabilities have the same right as other members of Australian society to participate in decisions which effect their lives.
- 7) People with disabilities have the same right of pursuit of any grievance in relation to services as other members of Australian society.
Criteria for RPH Broadcasting
In light of the Government and community support that Radio for the Print Handicapped enjoys and the regulatory and policy influences under which
the services are provided, it is essential that RPH program makers and broadcasters adhere to the following criteria:
- An RPH service shall complement other services by providing a broadcast service not available through any other electronic media, community group or organisation.
- The needs of those who are print handicapped shall provide the basis for all "RPH Programming". To this end RPH program makers
and broadcasters shall engage in a process of ongoing consultation, in relation to programming, with the following groups:
- print handicapped listeners to the service;
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organisations of people with a print disability;
- organisations that provide services to people with a print disability.
- While producers of "RPH programming" will need to exercise choice in the selection of material for broadcast, RPH broadcasters shall
ensure that selected newspaper articles and other published material are read in full, except where, in unforeseen circumstances, to do so would significantly disrupt the broadcaster's program schedule. All
RPH material shall be presented with appropriate identification of the publication, edition, date of publication, page number and author's name. In no circumstances shall the producer or any person
associated with the broadcast vary the text or offer any editorial comment in association with a selected item.
- Recognised "RPH programming" shall be provided in blocks of at least one hour, broadcast between 7.00 am and 11.00 pm and at least 90
% of the designated time shall be comprised of defined RPH material. Material such as sponsorship announcements, music (except program themes) and other items that are not specific to the needs of people
with a print disability shall not be included when calculating "RPH time".
- As an RPH service provider's responsibility is the provision of an otherwise unavailable broadcast service to what may be at times a
small minority, "RPH Programming" shall at no time be compromised by the quest for sponsorship or a wider audience. While material should be presented in a style that will hold the interest of listeners,
the broadcast of programs that are designed to entertain and do not address the information needs of people with a print disability shall not be considered as part of a Station's "RPH Programming".
- The Corporate structures of dedicated RPH Licensees shall ensure participation in the planning and delivery of the service by people
with a print disability, as appropriate, having regard to the spirit of the Broadcasting Services Act to involve the Community Of Interest.
- RPH service providers shall ensure that where ever possible Committees relating to program review and initiation, and the monitoring of listener response to the service, have a majority of
members who are persons chosen through organisations of people with a print disability.
- RPH program makers and broadcasters shall ensure that organisations of, or providing services to people with a print disability have adequate access to RPH program time. However, the
licence holder shall retain the right to ensure that all material broadcast is in conformance with quality, legislative and legal requirements.
- Except as provided for below, RPH program makers and broadcasters shall commit themselves to the application of both the spirit and specific obligations expressed in the Community Broadcasting Codes
of Practice.
- RPH program producers and broadcasters shall work to ensure their integration into the total service provision network for people with a
print disability. Compliance with these criteria will serve as a demonstration of the bona fides of an RPH program maker or broadcaster for the purposes of funding, licensing and membership of
RPH Australia (Australian Council for Radio for the Print Handicapped)
August 1995
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