A brand-new collaboration between UNE’s radio station, TuneFM, and the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) will make it easier to share interview clips and segments with radio stations nationally.

“We are bringing together a network of stations who create news and current affairs. A good story, told well, can resonate for a number of diverse audiences. Our goal is to bring together the best of community radio journalism and exchange stories so that different producers, bulletin compilers and radio stations have a richer array of stories to select from. Ahead of producing stories we need to try and find out what is happening across the length and breadth of the country. So, we have created a News Planning Calendar and process to capture themes, stories and events. We want Community Radio in Australia to add up to more than the sum of its parts.” Martin Davies, CBAA’s News Planning Director said.

Not only will the Newshub promote UNE stories well beyond our metaphorical campus walls, TuneFM’s studio is also a safe place where early career researchers, HDR students and Media and Communications students can gain valuable media experience and build professional skills. 

Dr Fincina Hopgood, Course Coordinator for UNE’s Bachelor of Media and Communications is especially excited about the potential benefits for students.

“The Newshub is a great opportunity for Media and Communications students looking to pursue a career in news and journalism. Students get to develop their professional skills with the support of the team at TuneFM and build a portfolio of media content they have produced during their studies at UNE. We know these portfolios give our students a competitive edge in the job market beyond simply their CV and degree. A media portfolio really showcases what UNE students can do!”

At the beginning of each week, the Newshub will send a list of breaking topics or events that are upcoming in the news cycle to TuneFM, who will then seek academics and experts to interview. This also means that if you have new research being released and let TuneFM know ahead of time, you will have the opportunity to get it into the news cycle on your publication day.

Interviews can take place on campus in Tune’s studio, online or over the phone, after which the segments will be uploaded into the hub to be aired by participating networks/radio stations. Recording a segment in-studio is a quick and simple process and can take place live or off the air if preferred.  

UNE Communications will also work with TuneFM to promote its research, events and other media releases through this platform.

This is an exciting opportunity to engage with a broader audience so stay alert for emails or phone calls from either TuneFM or UNE Communications asking you for a quick sound grab or interview.

In the meantime, if you have a story or research you would like to share, get in touch with TuneFM via email at tunefm@une.edu.au