North Manchester and East Manchester are also involved, as is the Forest of Bowland area of Lancashire. Radio programmes have been produced by communities right across the spectrum of age, gender, gender-orientation, creed and culture. The results of the projects make a very strong case for community radio in the context of neighbourhood renewal. It is the true form of public service media because by definition it exists to serve the community not the needs of the production corporation. It also non-profit distributing.
Community radio is the most accessible and cheapest form of community media.
A computer and a Minidisc recorder is all you need to make even the most sophisticated radio programme. It also has by far the biggest audience potential. R ADIO R EGEN Radio Regen was set up by former Radio 4 producer, Phil Korbel, and ex-Manchester City Council project manager Dr Cathy Brooks, and started its activities in 1998. It empowers residents of disadvantaged communities to set up their own community radio stations. The project is one of the largest of its sort in the country and the only one that trains, facilitates broadcasts and sets up community production companies.