Media Comparison Project

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Application ID: 001203
This project is available.
Project Description
Project Title
Media Comparison Project
What is the central research question you want answered?
What are the objectives of your project?
We are interested in how the ownership of media has changed in Vancouver, BC and Canada from 1975 until now. We are also interested in comparing the budgets and resources of mainstream media outlets (both CBC and commercial stations) with an independent community radio station (Co-op Radio).
Project Type
Computer Related     
Creative     
Formal Research     
 Organizational Development     
Survey     
Other  
Size of Project (Number of pages, minutes, cm, etc.)
Several graphs (about 6-10) and a very brief summary (one page synopsis of results).
Project Description (Use this space to further elaborate on the project)
We would like a visual representation of the number of different media owners (radio and television) in 1975 and now. We would also like a visual representation of the size of the budget of other radio stations (commercial and state-run) compared with that of Co-op Radio.
How do you plan to use the results of this project?
Co-op Radio is interested in providing an information pamphlet and case statement for helping us with our fundraising efforts. As part of this pamphlet, we would like to include a visual representation of how media ownership has concentrated over the past 35 years. We would also like to represent how few resources are consumed by Co-op Radio in comparison to larger media outlets. We will use this information to make a case for supporting listener-owned media.
What larger goal is served by undertaking this project?
By undertaking this project, the student is helping to document the media landscape of Vancouver and Canada over the past 40 years and will be helping, in a very concrete way, to keep independent media alive.
The Organization
Organization Name
Vancouver Co-operative Radio, CFRO, 102.7FM
What community do you represent or work with?
A variety of marginalized and under-represented social and ethnic groups. We have about 2000 members.
What is your organization/group's goal or mandate?
Vancouver Co-operative Radio, CFRO, 102.7FM is a listener-supported, volunteer-run community radio station. We are one of Canada's oldest community radio stations and our mandate is to provide space to voices, perspectives, stories, sounds and music that is under-represented in the mainstream media.
Are you a registered not-for-profit?
Yes
Contact Information
Contact Person
Leela Chinniah
  
Position
Program Co-ordinator
Mailing Address
110 - 360 Columbia Street
Vancouver, BC V6A 4J1
Telephone
604-684-8494 ext. 226
Fax
 
Email
programs@coopradio.org
  
Alternate Telephone
604-684-8494 ext. 230 (Robin McNabb)
Alternate Fax
 
Alternate Email
outreach@coopradio.org
Project Plan of Action
Duration of Project
Smaller (One semester)
If you know the duration more specifically, please indicate here
We would like to see the initial results of the research within 4 weeks of the project beginning and a final copy of all charts by the 6th week of the project.
What are the specific deliverables that you expect of the student?
We expect to have a number of charts comparing the following:
1 - Radio ownership in Vancouver, BC and Canada in 1975 and now (ownership can be defined as the number of different companies owning radio stations in each of the 3 regional groupings) - total of 3 charts
2 - Television and radio ownership in Vancouver, BC and Canada in 1975 and now (ownership can be defined as the number of different companies owning radio stations in each of the 3 regional groupings) - total of 3 charts
3 - Budget and number of staff at selected commercial stations (CKNW, CFMI, CFOX), CBC and Co-op Radio - 2-3 charts depicting all figures
4 - List of all references and sources of information
5 - Brief (1 page) summary of results
6 - Electronic file of selected charts so that we may include them in our materials
Estimated time commitment per week
2-4 hours per week for approximately 4-5 weeks
Liaison
Liaison Name
Leela Chinniah or Robin McNabb
  
Liaison Position
Program Co-ordinator and Membership/Outreach Co-ordinator
Liason Contact Info (If different from above)
 
How much time per week will the
liaison be available to the project?
2 hours at beginning of project, 1 hour/2 weeks after that
How will the liaison provide direction and support to the project?
We will sit with or talk by phone with the student and clarify the goals of the project. We will provide the student with any information about Co-op Radio required for the project. We will review the project at the mid-way point.
Student Researcher
Student area of study/experience
Communications
Student skills/attributes
Ability to work independently. Excellent research skills. Ability to site all sources for the research. Ability to clearly document the results of the research in a manner that is easy to understand visually.
Student related interests
Perhaps independent media but not necessary.

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