Radiothon 2010 has begun on Melbourne’s 3RRR FM. What’s that to do with Overland? Well, it’s partly that 3RRR supports writers and writing in a way that no other media does. On Aural Text, for instance, alicia has been promoting local gigs, independent publishing/publishers, zinesters and performers for more than a decade. In that sense alone, there’s substantial overlap between the mission of the two organisations.

But it’s more than that. With the Meanland project, we’ve been exploring the struggle to find viable economic models for digital publishing. But, like Overland, 3RRR depends on a very old school business approach: basically, it relies on the voluntary support of listeners, with over half its budget coming from Radiothon. In the midst of the neoliberal wasteland, there’s something very cheery about a radio station flourishing, not because it makes economic sense, but because there’s a community keeping it alive.

So do think about subscribing.

Alicia and I will be talking more about all of this during a special Radiothon episode of Aural Text this Wednesday between 12 and 2 pm. In the meantime, though, you can subscribe via  (03) 9388 1027 or via the intertubes. Thanks for your support.