The Australian is reporting this morning that radio stations want the federal government to give them a handout as was announced recently for the TV networks.
We hear so often, from politicians of all persuasions, that small business is the backbone of this country yet we rarely receive government largess on the scale of the $240 million for the TV networks or the billions paid to auto makers.
The case put by the government for the TV handout does apply to radio. It also applies to small businesses like newsagencies. We have to invest in change for us to have a future. I doubt our need will gain any traction with any politician. We’re too small.
This is the kind of issue on which newsagents could use their critical mass to make a point. Imagine if every newsagent had a petition at the counter for customers to sign or if we handed out a postcard to be sent to the local member.
If we could make a loud enough noise we would get on their radar. I doubt we would do it. Our biggest asset, our national footprint, is rarely used by us.