News

Community radio — the beat and the heartbeat

By Andrew Mole

Sep 25, 2026

EMFM’s Dot Hammond and Maree Harris were busy at the station this week getting ready for its 30th anniversary celebrations — and are now also celebrating research proving the value of community radio. Photo by Andrew Mole

With its 30th anniversary just weeks away, Echuca-Moama’s community radio station EMFM has been buoyed by latest research showing almost six million Australians tune into stations such as theirs every week for local issues, news, weather and, most importantly, Australian music.

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EMFM secretary Dot Hammond said those figures proved nearly a quarter of the population tuned into 500-plus stations, with 62 per cent of those wanting to hear Australian music not heard elsewhere — and 30 per cent to find new music.

But she said the research also proved there were social value reasons such as increased wellbeing, reduced loneliness, self-identity, stronger social connection with like-minded people, greater community participation due to being aware of opportunities, a trusted voice for minorities and an increased sense of belonging that came with community radio.

This applies as much to listeners as to the thousands of staff and volunteers in the stations.

The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia’s deep-dive report delivered its first ‘social return on investment’ analysis of community broadcasting.

“It found it creates at least $485 million in social value each year, with at least $7.59 in social value generated for every $1 invested,” Dot said.

“While the long-time reason for tuning in has been the music — and community radio plays 390,960 hours of Australian music every year — local issues, news and weather are also at the top of the list.

“In the current toxic political climate and welcome-back-to-the-’50s sweep, community radio’s identity as an inclusive, cohesive and diverse society is a magnet for a wide range of tribes.”

The CBAA report comes just as other surveys uncover why Gen Z is also turning to community, mainstream and internet radio.

Currently the age breakdown of Australian community radio listeners is: