First all-student run and operated FM radio station to launch on 15 January

An initiative of Canterbury Youth and Student Media Ltd, a company established by the four funding bodies – University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University, Kent Union and Christ Church Students’ Union – CSR will be completely run by student volunteers from schools, universities and colleges in the area.

The station – aimed at 14-25 year olds – will broadcast on the 97.4FM frequency across Canterbury from two studios, one at the University of Kent and one at Canterbury Christ Church University, with state-of-the-art equipment linking the two. It can also be accessed via www.csrfm.com.

Although Kent Union and Christ Church Students’ Union will be heading the venture, and are the first students’ unions in the UK to be awarded a Community Radio licence from Ofcom, the focus of the project will be on the wider impact and involvement of the entire Canterbury community. CSR will also be independent from a specific institution as it will fall under the independent company umbrella of Canterbury Youth and Student Media Ltd.

Luke Nicholson, Student Media Co-ordinator at Kent Union and CSR Radio Station Co-ordinator, said, ‘CSR will provide students with the opportunity to make their voice heard in the city whilst ensuring there is an advert-free, fresh sounding radio station that caters precisely for the needs of young students and individuals in the area. The station will also have an educational focus, allowing them to use the station as a way of learning about what other institutions in the area are up to and also as a way of promoting their own events, successes and achievements.

‘CSR will also offer students at a variety of institutions the opportunity to learn about broadcasting and gain technical radio experience, with training and guidance provided for all areas and aspects of the station, so previous radio experience is not necessary. All the DJs, technicians, web team and music reviewers, as well as those responsible for producing the news, will be students.’

Ofcom’s Community Radio licences are granted to stations that can identify a gap in the radio services provided in an area. ‘And we identified a gap in the representation of students and aspiring students in the radio services of Canterbury,’ Luke Nicholson said. ‘We also hope that CSR will bridge the gap between all levels of educational institutions while promoting a culture of volunteerism.’

CSR will be launched at The Venue, University of Kent, on Monday 15 January at 7pm, with the first broadcast going out at 8pm. Students from participating schools, colleges and universities will attend the launch event.

Journalists are welcome to attend the launch.