Q and As about 2RSR

Who is Radio Skid Row?

Radio Skid Row is a community radio station whose broadcast community is based in the inner west or on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. Our call sign is 2RSR and you can find us on 88.9FM.

Even if you live on the edges of south west and south Sydney, you can hear us in your car or dial in on your transistor radio. If you download the Community Radio Plus or go to radioskidrow.org, you can listen to us anytime!

We produce an array of shows that cover music, chat, First Nations topics, politics, culture, religion, disability, LGBTQ+ communities, resistance, issues that impact communities who broadcast in their community language and English, gardening, health and so much more.

We are also the only station in Australia who plays Democracy Now five days a week. 

Overnight, we play the BBC.

What are you really about though?

Our mission is to amplify the voices of the most marginalised. We also contribute to building more just, strong, and resilient communities.

Sometimes commercial media or public broadcasting create a distorted narrative, misrepresenting marginalised communities as part of sensationalism and negative framing.

All communities—and especially those most marginalised—need to see or hear themselves in the media. Social justice, opposing genocides and presenting well-researched points of view are important to us.

Our presenters speak to their community, understand and represent community concerns. 

Many have years of media experience.

Who funds your operations?

It takes a lot of money to run a radio station—even a small one like Skid Row. This is why most of us are volunteers.

We receive funding from the Community Broadcasting Foundation and other organisations who advertise grants. We also fundraise. 

We are thankful for our sponsors, the members who pay yearly fees and our regular donors.

We recognise that there are other community radio stations with less resources and stand in solidarity with them.

Why should the government pay for community radio?

Community radio serves the local area while offering volunteer development. In addition to learning technical skills, volunteers may value personal and professional growth, creativity, serving their community, and the opportunity to meet other fantastic people with similar values.

Community radio fills an important gap. Media conglomerates and public broadcasters often miss local stories or what is important to everyday people. Sometimes big media organisations cover the same stories in the same old way.

Radio is also important for those who struggle with reading and want to be in touch with what is going on in their community.

Who manages and works for you?

Skid Row is overseen by a Board of Directors. They manage legal, policies and procedures, governance and other constitutional responsibilities. The Board also manages the strategic direction of the station.

The Station Manager is employed to serve the station and reports to the Board. In his new role, Station Manager, Anthony has more everyday contact with his staff member and fabulous community of volunteers.

Skid Row has a staff of two. Anthony started in May 2025. Our casual Communications Officer, Alicia, keeps us visible and looking good on our website and social media.

We have limited resources—no People and Culture, legal or public relations or large teams to protect the station. This can leave it vulnerable to politically-motivated criticism or other attacks. We respond the best we can.

Who can be part of Skid Row?

We are open to respectful people who want to be part of a station that has been a voice for many different communities for 42 years.

You don’t have to be a presenter of your own show to be part of Skid Row. You can volunteer in other ways such as marketing, sponsorship or community engagement. Maybe you want to learn more about outdoor broadcasting, for example.

Think about joining us!

How do I volunteer?

After filling in an onboarding form and being accepted, volunteers must become a member. 

They sign and follow a volunteer agreement. Volunteers must also comply with the Community Broadcasting Radio Codes of Practice (2025) and the policies and procedures of the station.

Codes of practice are vital to media. Policies and procedures, (which include disciplinary procedures, diversity and inclusion practices, plus governance standards) are common across all workplaces and funded enterprises..

How do I become a presenter?

You have to apply to become a presenter of your own show.

Your application will be reviewed by the programming committee.

If your program is accepted, you will then receive training over a month about media law, the policies and procedures and of course, basic presenting and production.

Volunteering as a presenter is a weekly commitment and a responsibility to the community. 

Everyone at Skid Row must be respected and respect others. Our station rules support this objective.

Do presenters have to follow an editorial line?

Presenters must comply with:

● the Community Broadcasting Codes of Practice (2025)

● the policies and procedures of the station, some of which follow the codes of practice, and Fair Work and other legislation, and

● the signed Volunteer and Content Maker agreement.

Presenters cannot broadcast propaganda, which has no resemblance to reality. Equally, there must be acknowledgment that no reporting exists in a social vacuum. We offer more than mere “facts”.

Presenters are also responsible for their guests who may breach the codes.

There were a few news reports (from one particular media outlet) about your station. They claimed that some discriminatory and negative things were said during a staff and volunteer meeting, what happened?

In community radio, as in real life, debates can erupt. 

Since Skid Row is a relatively open community radio station, there are people with no relationship to the station who have entered the space and disrespected others and the audience.

The meeting’s original intent was about behaviour and staff expectations. It descended into reactive behaviours that fell outside the station’s guidelines.

The Board will refrain from commenting on any accounts of the conflict, what was said or the roles individuals played during the meeting. 

All people present at the meeting have left Skid Row or were excluded due to not complying with the policies and procedures.

We have looked internally and forward to a better future.

What’s exciting about the future of 2RSR?

We’ve been rebuilding since February 2025 while not forgetting our roots.

A new station manager and new board have spearheaded the internal change.

We have confirmed some new programs.

We are welcoming new volunteers.

Skid Row is continuing to produce excellent content and responding to the issues that matter locally and nationally.

Let’s support community radio and voices missing from the mainstream.