Contents:

What is the Public File?

Each local commercial radio station in the UK has requirements in respect of its music and local content, such as news etc. These requirements are set out in the station "Format", a document issued by Ofcom, the UK media regulator.

The Public File contains details of elements Ofcom regulate over. It is intended to give you a better understanding of our output and what we are doing for the community we serve.

The Public File is available as a print out on request. Any comments on the file can be made to us or Ofcom.

News Bulletins

Below are details of how often we broadcast "Mixed" news containing local, national or international information.

Monday to Friday

Hourly from 7am-7pm with headlines a 6.30am, 7.30am, 8.30am, 5.30pm and 6.30pm

Saturday

8am-1pm

Sunday

8am-1pm

National and world news at all other times

Recent News

To view some of our latest news articles, please view the local news page.

News Team

If you have any queries about News, contact our News Editor, Maria Greenwood here.

Programme Schedule

To view the Programme Schedule, please click here.

Automation and Local Programming

All Wessex FM programming is produced and broadcast locally.

Sometimes it is necessary to pre-record programmes on the station (sometimes called Automation). We don't currently use more than two hours automation in our regular weekday daytime schedule and no more than five hours in our weekend daytime schedules.

Events and Charities We Support

The major events we cover each year are the Dorset County Show in September, from where we launched in 1993, the Dorchester Carnival in June and the Weymouth & Bridport Carnivals in August.

We support events like the Colour Run & Midnight walk orgainised by Weldmar Hospice. Over the year we attend many local community events to assist fundraising groups.

We have also raised money for charity through our own 'Bring A Pound To Work Day' initiatives for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, and our 'Fundraising Wall' for the cancer unit at Dorset County Hospital.

Local groups and charities can promote their events with us throughout the year via the What's On Guide both on-air and online which aims to raise awareness of their work, and also make direct appeals through our Community Action page.

Format

The format is the regulation document Ofcom issue. You can read or download it here.

Ofcom Localness Guidelines

Ofcom issue Guidelines defining what "localness" is for a Local Radio station. You can read them on the Ofcom website here.

Contact Us

How to Complain

If you have any complain about the radio station, for example, something you have heard - an advertisement or news story - in the first instance contact the station using the above details. Please address your complaint to Rick Simmonds, Managing Director.

If you are not satisfied with the response you can contact Ofcom (the industry regulator) on 020 7981 3040 or via their website, www.ofcom.org.uk