ARIA Award-winning rapper and drummer DOBBY reckons community radio is more than just a place to hear music. It’s a platform for cultural expression, community connection and self-determination.

“From a First Nations perspective, [community radio] is another link in the chain of Blak resistance and Blak representation,” he said.

The Filipino Muruwari musician’s comments echo new national research highlighting the vital role community radio plays in developing, sustaining and amplifying First Nations artists across Australia. Released alongside the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia’s (CBAA) new podcast Community Radio: Our National Sound, a landmark study Community Music Radio: Building the Music-Media Ecosystem reveals the enormous cultural, social and economic contribution of community radio, while underscoring its importance as a space where Indigenous voices are heard.

The podcast features leading Australian artists including L-FRESH The LION, Mo’Ju, Sarah Blasko as well as DOBBY, alongside the research team led by associate professor Shane Homan (Monash University), professor Susan Forde (Griffith University) and professor Heather M Anderson (Monash University).

Among the study’s most significant findings is the role of Indigenous community music stations, which account for one-third of Australia’s most music-intensive broadcasters.

Embedded within the community, these stations provide dedicated First Nations programming, champion local artists and create opportunities for Indigenous languages, stories and perspectives to reach audiences that are often underserved by mainstream media.

For emerging First Nations musicians, community radio is frequently the first point of access to audiences providing airplay, performance opportunities and industry connections while allowing artists to remain grounded in culture and community.

The research, conducted in partnership with the CBAA, the Community Broadcasting Foundation, Creative Australia and APRA AMCOS, found community music radio generated an estimated $153.1 million in value for the Australian music economy. More than 842,000 tracks by over 10,000 Australian artists were broadcast between October 2024 and January 2026, while nearly 391,000 hours of Australian music aired during a 12-month period.

Community radio also remains one of the country’s most effective discovery platforms. More than one-quarter of listeners reported discovering a new or emerging artist through community radio, with many subsequently purchasing music, merchandise or tickets to live performances.

Artists featured in the podcast describe community radio as an essential part of Australia’s music ecosystem. While commercial media often focuses on established acts, community broadcasters continue to invest in artist development, diverse voices and local storytelling.

For First Nations artists in particular, that support extends beyond music promotion. It provides a platform for representation, cultural continuity and community empowerment.