In a decision published on its website Wednesday, the CRTC has approved Access Communications Co-operative’s April application to acquire Regina community radio station 91.3 FM CJTR from non-profit corporation Radius Communications.
The CRTC said the proposed transaction is in the public interest and will ensure the continuation of community-based radio programming for the Regina area.
In its application to the broadcasting regulator, Access indicated it will invest in equipment upgrades, expand volunteer opportunities in the community, and integrate CJTR-FM into its existing community engagement department, which “would help continue CJTR-FM’s unique voice and provide the resources to enhance it further,” the CRTC wrote in its decision.
Access had also said the resources of its community television station would be shared with CJTR-FM.
Furthermore, Access said it would retain current members of the board of directors of Radius to act as an advisory committee to advise on the operation of the radio station, the commission noted, adding it expects Access to maintain this practice of drawing on the expertise of experienced community radio operators.
The commission said supportive interventions to Access’s application, including that of the National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA), helped to demonstrate that Access “invests in the programming that its community seeks and that it provides opportunities for the community to participate.”
“Further, given that Access is an established regional entity in Saskatchewan that can draw on its own resources, and on its community involvement and volunteers, the Commission is of the view that Access will be in a position to improve the service for the community,” the commission wrote.
Image borrowed from Access Communications Co-operative’s website
