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UCB is non-denominational, so I
understand individual Roman Catholics can become members, stand for office,
vote and be involved in its activities. No different from members of other
Christian denominations..
In NZ, there are few restrictions on
broadcasting. The Roman Catholic Church is free to bid
for frequencies, or lease them from current owners, can set up one
station or networks of them, operate low power FM stations nationwide
without even bidding for frequencies, and relay Vatican Radio 24 hours a day if
it chooses.
Individual churches have successfully bid for
and obtained AM and FM licences in New Zealand.
In Australia, I think CRU will find the Roman
Catholic Church is able to establish a similar low powered FM network to
that of Vision FM, and apply for AM licences in the extended AM band
like any other narrowcast broadcaster.
New FM licences are auctioned, so the Roman
Catholic Church can always put a funding and program package together and
lodge a bid like anyone else.
For community licences (AM or FM), the Roman
Catholic Church simply has to prove its case on a market by market basis on an
equal footing with other applicants.
They can also freely produce and supply programs
for which they buy airtime on commercial and community stations. Our local
community radio and TV stations in Wellington carriy such paid programs
from the Roman Catholic Church.
It seems that the Roman Catholic Church has a wide
range of options for local broadcasting in Australia and NZ and has
equal access to frequencies and licence hearings.
David Ricquish
Talkback
NZDXTimes / www.radiodx.com
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