MEDIA RELEASE: Current affairs radio program on Community Radio turns 20!
The Wire, a national current affairs program on community radio, started with the right foot in 2024, celebrating 20 years!
It was 2004 when Undercurrents, a current affairs program produced at 2SER under the production of Stafford Sanders, became The Wire, made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation, which has continued up to now.
Soon after, 2SER invited Radio Adelaide and Radio 4EB as part of the consortium of stations managing The Wire.
In 2024, The Wire continues to be managed by 2SER and Radio 4EB, and it is produced with the great support of community radio stations 4ZZZ Brisbane, 3ZZZ Melbourne, 2SER Sydney, Radio Adelaide, and Radio 4EB Brisbane, distributed through the Community Radio Network, and proudly funded by the Community Broadcasting Foundation.
Host station, Radio 4EB Station Manager Jo Pratt acknowledged the journey, ‘The Wire is the community broadcasting sector’s flagship current affairs offering and continues to go from strength to strength after 20 years. The platform The Wire provides for career development and local views on national issues provides a unique perspective. We encourage other station to consider not just programming The Wire, but getting in contact with us to see how broadcasters from their stations might contribute stories. We would love to see The Wire continue to grow its reach and impact.’
Over the last 20 years, many journalism students and emerging journalists have kicked off their career on community radio, showing the importance of the sector in the Australian news landscape.
Executive Producer of The Wire from Radio 4EB, Dr Eduardo Jordan is excited about the milestone: ‘To be part of The Wire’s 20th birthday in such a great position is amazing. The Wire and the community media sector are stronger than ever and provide appealing radio stories from the community to the community.’
‘All the involved stations, volunteers and the sector have been essential to get The Wire to where it now stands. In a world where fake news and commercial news are unreliable, community media provides reliable information and amplify underrepresented voices across Australia.’
The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia applauds the work and impact of The Wire across the community. ‘The CBAA would like to recognise The Wire’s contribution to our sector as the flagship national current affairs program on community radio. Since its inception in 2004 it has served as an alternative voice across Australia, including in First Nations and remote communities overlooked by other media. The program, broadcast across Australia via the Community Radio Network, may have the most diverse audience for any individual Current Affairs program in the Australian media sector.’
The Community Broadcasting Foundation has proudly supported The Wire and congratulates all involved on its 20th anniversary.
CEO, Jo Curtin said, ‘It’s a tremendous achievement to be a such widely trusted source of news and current affairs throughout Australia. Significantly for us, The Wire demonstrates the huge potential of collaboration between stations in community broadcasting. It’s a wonderful example of what can happen when we invest in new ideas and innovation and commit to amplify diverse voices.’
For more information or interview enquiries please contact:
Dr Eduardo Jordan – Executive Producer The Wire [email protected]