The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) received written complaints alleging that the station regularly exceeds the maximum sponsorship announcement limit of five minutes per hour and that the station has failed to represent the community interest stipulated by their licence.

Highland FM station manager Graham Moir however said the allegations were unfounded and the investigation was merely a formality.

“ACMA investigates hundreds of stations because they are required, under the Broadcasting Services Act, to follow up every complaint.

“We’re squeaky clean and I am absolutely confident the situation will be resolved without incident.”

Audio recordings of various Highland FM programs have been sent to ACMA for analysis and Mr Moir said there was no way they would find more than the maximum five minutes of sponsorship announcements per hour.

“Five minutes? We’re lucky if we can get together two and a half. Surely if we were exceeding the limit someone like Graham Day from 2ST would be onto us for cutting into their advertising.”

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Friday, May 30