Radio Skid Row (callsign 2RSR; 88.9 FM) is a community radio station based in Marrickville, broadcasting to the Inner West suburbs of Sydney, Australia.
| Broadcast area | Inner West Sydney |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 88.9 MHz FM |
| Programming | |
| Format | Community radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Radio Skid Row Ltd |
| History | |
First air date | 10 August 1983 |
| Technical information | |
Transmitter coordinates | 33°52′23″S 151°12′20″E / 33.87306°S 151.20556°E |
| Links | |
| Website | radioskidrow |
History
editRadio Skid Row (2RSR) was established by a group of welfare workers and licensed as a community broadcaster in September 1983, with the intention of broadcasting to marginalised groups such as Indigenous Australians, environmentalists, queer people, the Communist Party of Australia, and migrant workers.[1] It was originally broadcast from the University of Sydney, and gave 10 hours of air time per week to Radio Redfern.[2][3]
The station was described as "serv[ing] as an incubator for many artists who would go on to do interesting things". John Garland, who ran the prisoners' request show, moved to 2MBS Fine Music Sydney in 1991, where he presented experimental music. The program Wake Up and Listen also moved to 2MBS, with Gail Priest and Adrian Bertram. Lucas Abela (aka Justice Yeldham) started his career at Skid Row, on the "graveyard shift".[4]
Colin Hesse hosted the Thursday morning show Close to Home for over ten years before retiring in May 2024. He was also active in local politics, as a representative of the Australian Greens on both the former Marrickville Council and the Inner West Council. He was known for his long-form interviews and bringing out deeper perspectives on issues.[5]
Today
editSkid Row Radio is situated in Addison Road, Marrickville,[6] and broadcasts to the Inner West suburbs of Sydney.
Apart from broadcasting, like many community radio stations, it provides equipment, time in a recording studio, training and mentoring a diverse group of broadcasters, including African Australians.[7]
In December 2024, Radio Skid Row appeared in various media following a Sky News report about a new volunteer radio host who had been asked to leave the station due to anti-Palestinian actions and behaviour towards staff. In an interview with Australian Jewish News, the host, Nicole, who has Mexican and Israeli heritage, claimed that she had been asked to leave the station "after refusing demands to 'actively support' Hamas and participate in pro-Palestinian rallies" during the Israel–Hamas war hostage crisis.[8] As of 25 December 2024[update] Radio Skid Row had not publicly commented on the matter.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "About Us". RADIO SKID ROW – 88.9FM. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ "Radio Redfern". Barani. City of Sydney. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ Fisher, D. (2016). The Voice and Its Doubles: Media and Music in Northern Australia. Duke University Press. p. 163. ISBN 978-0-8223-7442-8. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ Priest, Gail (2009). Experimental Music: Audio Explorations in Australia. Australia Council Music Book Series. UNSW Press. p. 100. ISBN 978-1-921410-07-9. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ Hesse, Colin (10 May 2024). "Wide Open Road: In conversation with Colin Hesse". City Hub (Interview). Interviewed by Mordue, Mark. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ "Contact". RADIO SKID ROW – 88.9FM. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ Budarick, J.; Han, G.S. (2017). Minorities and Media: Producers, Industries, Audiences. Palgrave Macmillan UK. p. 46. ISBN 978-1-137-59631-4. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ Hill, Bruce (24 December 2024). "Jewish radio host forced out". Australian Jewish News. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ "Jewish Radio Host in Australia Fired for Covering 'Free Palestine' Sticker, Refusing to Defend Oct. 7 Hamas Attack". Algemeiner Journal. 25 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.