01 June 2012
Jersey Youth Service are looking for budding journalists, DJs and technicians to run a new internet radio station that is due to launch this summer.
The station, which will broadcast from La Motte Street youth centre, will be a first for Jersey. Initially, it will be on air for a set number of hours 5 nights a week and will feature a mix of pre-recorded material and live shows, including sessions with local bands. The programmes will be generated solely by people aged 18 or under.
A steering group of young people has been working on initial plans and will eventually form a management team to run the station.
The project is being backed by JT, which has provided the funds for the start-up equipment and will support the running costs over the next 2 years.
Ivor Richards, the senior youth worker at La Motte Street, said: “This is an exciting project and we’ve already had an overwhelmingly positive response from schools and potential staff who will be the front-line technical and presentation team.
“The aim is for this to be a station managed by young people for young people so the content will be driven by them and gives great scope to be creative. It will offer an engaging and appropriate service for the teenage audience in Jersey, who’ll be able to access it through their phones wherever they are. It will also be an excellent opportunity for the team members to gain real broadcasting experience.”
Tamara O’Brien, Head of Marketing, Brand and Distribution at JT, said: “JT is already a strong supporter of young musicians in Jersey and music in the islands, through our ongoing relationship with Jersey Live and our track record in supporting initiatives like Battle of the Bands. We’re delighted to support this exciting new project, which we feel is another innovative way to nurture talented young local people.
“Our new sponsorship and the funding we have provided will help support the technology behind the radio station, but we also want to keep helping in other ways and we are exploring how else we can cooperate to make this project a great success. The radio station’s aims and goals align well with our existing JT apprenticeship scheme, which already works to support and help grow outstanding young people helping them become all they aspire to be. We also hope to offer opportunities for these young people in terms of exposing their talent to the community through Jersey Live as well.”
Ivor added: “This fits in well with the facilities we already have at La Motte Street. Bands already use the existing rehearsal rooms and recording studios and through them we can get bands on air easily and quickly, giving them extra opportunities to play live.”
gov.je