MFR decision ‘won’t make any difference to local radio in Caithness’
An assurance has been given that local radio is “still very much alive” in Caithness and in other parts of the Highlands.
Jackie Johnson, company secretary at Thurso-based Caithness FM, was speaking after a controversial decision by Moray Firth Radio to axe its last locally produced show.
Inverness-based MFR, owned by media giant Bauer, has been accused of seemingly abandoning its Highland roots and becoming Moray Firth Radio in name only.
Caithness FM has been broadcasting for more than a quarter of a century. In August this year the volunteers who run it held an open day to celebrate a major refurbishment, with Lord Thurso cutting the ribbon at the new-look studio.
Mrs Johnson said: “For many, many years Moray Firth Radio was a fantastic example of local radio. It is due to Moray Firth Radio, and its then director Thomas Prag in particular, that there are so many community radio stations in the north of Scotland.
“They always provided us with back-up and tremendous technical support whenever required. They did a fantastic job in the Highlands.
“But community radio is still very much alive. We’ve been broadcasting now in Caithness for almost 27 years and the Caithness FM Toy Appeal has been going for 30 years.
“While we feel it’s sad that it has come to this with Moray Firth Radio, it won’t make any difference to local radio in Caithness as we’ll continue as normal.”
Mrs Johnson added that Caithness FM would be keen to hear from anyone interested in volunteering at the station.
She said: “As a community radio station we are run by volunteers, and anybody interested in finding out more about volunteering with Caithness FM can contact us at office@caithnessfm.co.uk.”
MFR confirmed this week that its popular morning programme Jodie at Breakfast, broadcast from the station’s base in the Highland capital every weekday, will be axed at the end of the year.
It means that all shows airing on MFR from the start of 2025 will be made and broadcast from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, with MFR sharing the same programmes as on Aberdeen’s Northsound 1, Dundee’s Tay FM and Edinburgh’s Forth 1.
Caithness FM can be heard on 106.5 FM and at caithnessfm.co.uk
At the open day in August, Lord Thurso described the community radio station as a “special voice” for Caithness.
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The building in Neil Gunn Drive, Thurso, had been redecorated and modernised and the broadcasting studio had been refurbished with a new digital desk.
Lord Thurso told the Caithness FM team: “The whole community should be very grateful for what you all do – because this is the voice of the community, and every community needs to have a voice.”
Caithness FM launched its 30th annual toy appeal this week, with gifts being sought for underprivileged children across the county.