Last week, Green Left Weekly's KATRINA DEAN spoke to LIZ O'BRIEN, manager of Community Radio 2XX in Canberra, about the station's 20th anniversary this year.
In 1975, the Council of Social Services, Council of Cultural Societies, the Sports Council, ethnic communities and university students in the ACT got together to start a new community organisation called 2XX. A year later, the former university radio station became Community Radio 2XX, Australia' first broad-based community radio service. Over the next 20 years, the vision of those first activists grew into "People Powered Radio", Community Radio 2XX.
O'Brien told Green Left,"The best times for 2XX are always when things are most active in the community. Highlights in our history include the anti-apartheid campaign in 1984 when 2XX was part of the demonstrations outside the old South African embassy, and part of the response to racists' fire-bombing of the South African Liberation Centre. 2XX also served as the media centre for the Aboriginal community's bicentennial protest group and was instrumental in the campaign against the Gulf War in Canberra."
Over the years, 2XX has fostered a vibrant music culture in the ACT. Live recordings made at 2XX concerts, and recordings of live to air performances and some made in 2XX's multi-track studio are mow being remastered for release on a 2XX 20th anniversary CD.
2XX provides a voice for grass-roots activists, ethnic and community groups, and progressive movements. O'Brien says that "the role of the alternative media is critical. It provides information and analysis; I think analysis is more important in this equation. You can provide people with plenty of raw information, but often it just leaves them feeling helpless. Alternative media can provide an analysis of what's going on and give ideas about how to act and change things."
As part of the anniversary celebrations, 2XX and Green Left Weekly are hosting a "Get it Together" band night on October 31 at the ANU bar. The gig aims raise funds for both organisations and raise awareness about the key role of alternative media in the face of the Howard government's attacks. The night will feature local bands Keystone, Arthur and the Shrooms. Tickets are $4 for 2XX and/or Green Left subscribers, or $6.
To subscribe to 2XX, contact Tristan Ray on (06) 249 4512 or 248 5560; email 2xxrad@peg.apc.org; or on the web at http: //www.peg.apc.com/2xxrad.