Student Youth Network

Infobox Network
network_name = Student Youth Network Inc. SYN
network_
country = AUS
network_type = Broadcast radio and television
available = Local, National
owner = Community
launch_date = 2003 (Radio), 2003 (Television)
website = http://syn.org.au
The Student Youth Network is a youth based media organization based at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. Commonly referred to as SYN, the organization produces new and independent media that is made by and for Melbourne's young people. SYN is a multi-media organization utilizing radio, television, and online.cite web
last =MacLean
first =Sheena
authorlink =
coauthors =
title=Cyber Generation Calls Tune
publisher=The Australian
date=23 September, 2004
url =http://www.edgeradio.org.au/The%20Australian.%20Cyber%20Generation%20Calls%20Tune%2023.09.04.htm
accessdate=2007-10-16]

History

The station formed after SRA (RMIT Student Radio Association) and 3TD (Thornbury Darebin Secondary College's radio station) merged in order to bolster their bid for a fulltime community radio broadcasting license. SYN began broadcasting in 2001.cite web
title=AM Program Archive
publisher=Australia ABC AM
date=26 December 2002
url =http://abc.net.au/am/indexes/2002/am_archive_2002_Thursday26December2002.htm
accessdate=2007-10-16] cite web
last =Yee
first =Andrew
authorlink =
coauthors =
title=ABA awards new community radio licence to RMIT youth radio station: RMIT University’s youth community radio station, Student Youth Network FM (SYN FM), has been awarded a new community radio licence by the Australian Broadcasting Authority.
publisher=RMIT University
date=March 04, 2002
url =http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse/News%20and%20Events%2FFor%20Media%2FNews%2FMedia%20Releases%2Fby%20title%2FA%2F;ID=qp4ogcrhncjm;STATUS=A | accessdate=2007-10-16]

In late December 2002, SYN was awarded a permanent broadcasting license. It began broadcasting fulltime in January 2003. SYN broadcasts on a full power metropolitan community radio license in Victoria and can be heard throughout Melbourne, Geelong and in parts of regional Victoria on 90.7 FM. The broadcast also streams live on the website.

SYN Today

Approximately 124,000 young people tune in to SYN weekly. Volunteers are all aged 12-25 years, and fill various different roles in the organization. These include Presenting and Producing programs and working within the various Departments including Radio, TV, Online, Music, Talks, Marketing & Publicity, IT and Tech. cite web
title=SYN Philosophy
publisher=Student Youth Network
date=2007
url =http://syn.org.au/about/philosophy
accessdate=2007-10-16] A 2006 McNair listener survey showed a similar age group, 15-24, as the largest age group listening to community radio in Australia.

SYN produces an hour long live youth music show every weekday for Channel 31 called 1700. It features music videos, interviews, reviews and music related discussion.

Recently, SYN has begun production on Get Cereal Television, a morning television alternative aimed at the youth of Melbourne. The show airs daily from 7.30-8.30am on Channel 31. This bring the quota of television for Channel 31, from SYN to 10 hours of Live Television a week (2 hours a day), and 15 hours all up a week.

Online, SYN publishes program blogs and a weekly e-newsletter. The website also features SYNcasts of some of SYN's radio shows as well as various SYNcast-only programs.

SYN is now one of the largest youth projects in Australia and the World, and has up to 1,500 volunteers.

SYN defines their aim as to "implement a national culture of young people broadcasting for themselves". In order to achieve this outcome, the station rotates on-air presenters frequently (approximately every three months) and all crew and executive positions annually. SYN does this to allow more than 1200 young people to gain direct media experience annually. Additionally, around 2500 Victorian students have incorporated SYN's training and education programs into their studies.

Slogan

SYN has had several different slogans. The current slogan is "Click, Switch, Watch" and is intended to reflect SYN's three media platforms - online, radio and television. Past slogans include "Creators not Consumers", "We May Be Young But We Know Our Shit" and "Where the Kids Push the Buttons". The circle logo was developed in the mid 1990s by SRA volunteer Caroline Worsley.

References

See also

*Community Radio

External links

* [http://syn.org.au/ SYN official website] - including audio streaming.
* [http://syn.org.au/about SYN description]
* [http://syn.org.au/about/philosophy SYN official philosophy]
* [http://syn.org.au/about/innovation SYN innovations]
* [http://syn.org.au/about/history SYN history]
* [http://www.cbf.com.au/ Community Broadcasting Foundation]
* [http://www.cbaa.org.au/ Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) ]
* [http://www.cbaa.org.au/ CBAA's Online Handbook] including a chapter "Youth Broadcasting"