Press Release June 21 2011

OpenFM 2011 Broadcast

OpenFM regrets to announce that due to funding difficulties its 2011 broadcast will not be occurring as planned. OpenFM had hoped to broadcast for thirty days from mid-June to mid-July. A temporary license had been approved by the Broadcast Authority of Ireland.

It goes without saying that all OpenFM members and volunteers are deeply disappointed that the planned broadcast will not be happening. OpenFM created history last year by becoming Ireland's first radio station dedicated to the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered) community. The aim this year was to continue on the success of last year's broadcasting by highlighting the gay culture of Dublin in 2011 and also endeavour to educate, inform, entertain and open the minds of its listeners, all under the umbrella mission to encompass and celebrate diversity.

OpenFM volunteers recently undertook a last ditch campaign to raise the necessary funds by using a number of different social media platforms. These included Facebook, Twitter, blogs and forums. There was a great response to this campaign and many donated. Unfortunately the total amount of funds needed for OpenFM to continue with its broadcast was not achieved. All involved with the station are truly grateful to those who donated. However, as the necessary amount was not reached and the broadcast will not take place, all monies have been returned to those who generously donated.

OpenFM would like to apologise for the lack of communication. Time was needed to assess the situation as to the future of the station. There remains a strong presence among volunteers of the need to provide a service for the LGBT community. An OpenFM board meeting will take place in the near future where a decision will be made as to the future of the station. OpenFM would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who involved with this station this year for their dedicated work and efforts. We endeavour to return to the Irish airwaves at a future date.

-Ends-
Notes to Editors:
About OpenFM
OpenFM is an independent not-for-profit organisation. It has an independent board made up of nine people who have a variety of experience within radio. With approx. 60,000 members of the LGBT community in Dublin, Open FM has a unique edge on other radio stations as it aims to inform and educate the wider Dublin community as well as entertain.
www.openfm.ie
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What a load of sh*te, it is a long winded pile of nothing.

If I hadn't seen their fundraising countdown here which was prob posted by someone who has nothing to do with the station I'd never have known about it.

It comes off so amateurish.

For something that was such an epic and critical failing you think they would have offered somekind of explanation or defense, to me this reads as a statement blaming the general community for not donating enough.

Is open fm on this year?

They'll probably start looking for money again this year 5 hours before it's supposed to start broadcasting.

They have no idea about running the station so I hope not!

From their twitter account last night: "Today two years ago we broadcasted for the first time, hopefully we'll get back there some day!"

So doesn't sound like theyll try again this year anyway. Shame that...

Not cool it was great

Maybe it was but a bit of cop on would get it back on the air. I kinda hope someone else takes it over