Seminar In The Air

(You - The Mail On Sunday Magazine Circa 1982) SEMINAR IN THE AIR Pirate radio did not sink with the ships of Radio Caroline  and Victory back in the '60s. Twiddle the  dial on your set and you'll hear the babble of a whole new  generation of outlaw broadcasters . . . who are in a daily  battle with the harassed, 300-strong force of the Radio  Interference Service. Peter Martin reports

Above: Radio Star's Cecil Morris says the licensed stations ignore community needs.

The singular distinction of being the pirate not to run away falls to Jamaican-born Cecil Morris. With a touching idealism and a thousand signature petition, Morris tried throughout 1981 to persuade the licensed stations that they were ignoring the 'community needs' of Birmingham's large West Indian and Asian populations. But all we got in response to our demonstration was two, on-off programmes - one with music and a little discussion , the other with imported music.'   Turning pirate in January of last year, Morris and friends took to the airwaves as Radio Star - with gospel services and talks on the various minority religions; senior black citizens' requests; reports on local community projects; arts, health and beauty slots; discussions of the education problems and employment prospects of the ethnic minorities; all intersected with Soul, Reggae, Soca, and Calypso music and the emphasis on local talent.  'Singers and bands, sure, 'says Morris. 'But we also get kids coming here saying, "man, it's great to have a radio station that we can identify with ," and  "I always wanted to get into radio but I never studied because there was no chance of getting involved with these things before."   I'm talking black schoolkids and older ones with no job into seeing the opportunities that are around - radio, radio, electronics, music, journalism. Radio Star was first raided in March, then again in August. The second time, Morris had been listening at home when the radio went dead. Rushing to the transmitter at a nearby tower block, and in a lather of frustration and protest, he gave himself up to the Home Office team. Fighting his case on the point of community need, Morris lost and was fined £180 plus costs. He also had £2,000 worth of equipment confiscated.   Between times Morris has applied to the IBA for a license and was turned down. 'Birmingham already has it's own local station serving the needs of the community, they say. With two hours of reggae a week?   'It has been a lot of tribulation and disappointment. Perhaps the IBA is scared we'd use a black radio station for political troublesomeness. But we're not against society. We're here; we want to contribute, and the station could help us help ourselves.     (home page: pcrlfm.co.uk)