Radio station stages silent protest

Clock tower at Otago University. Photo / supplied

An independent student-owned Dunedin radio station is being taken off air for a week in protest at plans to sell it off.

Otago University Students Association (OUSA) confirmed on Friday the possible sale of Radio One to save money as it reviews all its services ahead of the likely introduction of legislation which will end compulsory membership of student bodies.

But station manager Sean Norling said the existence of an independent radio station was crucial to Dunedin being a viable option for local and visiting artists,

"Dunedin would lose its most established alternative radio station," he told The Otago Daily Times.

Radio One has six paid employees and 70 volunteers.

Mr Norling said a sale could set off a devastating set of dominoes.

"It is bigger than just Dunedin. There is a network of stations around the country that depend on Radio One's existence to remain stable.

"[They] would all be jeopardised, which is a big body blow."

- NZPA