This article is from page 8 of the 2008-04-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
will be updated imminently by letter in relation to the approach by a party interested in acquiring our flagship station.
“Our obligation in relation to any potential transaction is first and fore- most to both shareholders and staff we will not be making any public comment on this matter until they have been communicated with.”
Asked to comment on the situation at the weekend, the station’s found- ing chief executive, Caimin Jones said: “Clare FM should clarify the current situation unless there is some compelling reason to prevent them.
For example, if they are engaged in sensitive negotiations with another consortium, then the absence of a statement might be understandable. “Otherwise, a clear statement to shareholders and the general public is essential. A media company which asks probing questions of other peo-
ple and organisations risks losing credibility by remaining silent on its own affairs when these matters are clearly of public interest. With no information or discussion forthcom- ing, the station is also putting its own news and current affairs service in an invidious position.”
A shareholder in the station, Mr Jones said that he welcomed the pro- posed sale to Radio Kerry.
“It 1s disappointing that the deal appears to have come unstuck,” he ene m
“I felt that Radio Kerry and Clare FM were a good fit. Their values, broadcasting culture and commit- ment to serving their communities are broadly similar. These issues will undoubtedly be considered by many shareholders should any new offer be made for Clare FM.
“In general, Clare FM has fulfilled its original objectives and several broadcasters continue to produce good programmes. However, the station is at a crossroads and needs an injection of ideas, energy and creativity. Despite the increasingly competitive radio environment, the station must win back listeners. The key to this in Clare is to reinforce the “Clareness” and individuality of the station and not become a bland clone of the latest passing media fashion.
“Somebody in Irish local radio broadcasting needs to have the cour- age to tear up the current programme schedules and devise new ones. The schedule of programmes on Clare FM and other stations 1s more or less the same as it was when the station was founded nearly 20 years ago.”