There was perhaps a little hyperbole in play when the people behind a new initiative to kick start community radio in the UK described their proposals as "the most important new cultural development in the United Kingdom", but after decades of work trying to get a community radio system going over here, any move that makes 'by the people for the people' radio stations a reality has to be a good thing.
The new proposals, which utilise features of last year's Communications Act, aim to make it easier for community radio stations to get on air, plus to make albeit limited government funds available to help get the not-for-profit radio stations off the air. If parliament pass the proposals OfCom could start advertising community radio licences as soon as this summer.
In related news the government has said it is now committed to ensuring student radio get decent licences and proper funding so all the college radio talent can get the exposure it deserves. Oh hang on, that was a dream I had once.