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DJ Guideline and Rules
While you are on the Air.
Programming
FCC rules that must be followed. (There are currently no FCC rules for internet broadcasting, but we will adhere to the following rules.)
The station ID must be announced at the top and bottom of the hour, or within five minutes of the times.
Public Service Announcements must be read (or played) at fifteen minutes after the hour. Take these seriously and refrain from commentary about them. PSA should be about a Mercer event or social issue.
The Program Log Book is our record of being on the air, and must be filled out correctly. Clearly fill in your printed name and signature, the date and your exact times on and off the air, to the minute. Someone must be signed in for every minute the station is broadcasting. Failure to do so may result in suspension of being a DJ or a fine for those involved.
Playlists must be filled out completely and accurately for every show you do. A complete playlist consists of your name, the date, the genre of your show, your time on and off the air, and everything that you played over the air. In addition to this, you must also include the exact times that you read the station identification, PSAs, underwriting announcements, and other special announcements.
Do not repeat songs for the previous two shows. Also, avoid playing the same band or songs every week. Try to make your show a different experience for returning listeners.
All shows should off an alternative to other Macon stations. As an educational station, we exist to provide our listening audience with music unavailable elsewhere on the air, and should seek to give exposure to artists who are not being played on other stations. This does no mean play bad music, just good stuff that is not found on other radio stations with mainstream programming added sparsely.
Dead air is evil. Do not let a song completely end before beginning the next one. Practice good segues/mixing.
If you are to give away an item over the air, be sure that we do, indeed, have the item, and be sure to get the person’s name and phone number before you get off of the phone with them.
Announcing
Enunciate, speak clearly, slowly, and directly into the microphone.
Profanity will not be tolerated by Mercer Radio or the FCC. Profanity may result in a fine or other punishment handed down from the Executive Staff or the FCC, or both. DJs will be solely responsible for any fine incurred.
Voice levels should be as loud as the music levels. Make sure that you know proper level when speaking over the air, to ensure that people can hear you and also to ensure that you are not blowing their speakers out with your voice.
Keep speaking length short.
DJ comments should be limited primarily to music, news, or information topics. Interviews not approved by the Executive Staff will not be tolerated. Do not alienate your audience with private jokes. No political commentary.
Try not to move around, shuffle papers, drop or cue CDs, etc., while on the air – everyone can hear it, and it doesn’t sound good.
Station Responsibilities
Air Studio equipment is your responsibility while you are on the air. You are also responsible for you non-MR guests, so be sure that they respect the equipment and possessions of the station. Mercer Radio is a “You Break It, You Buy It” Station.
Clean up after yourself and re-shelve any CDs, tapes, or records that you take out. The music is to be in alphabetical order by artist name, then album name. If you are unclear of the alphabet, we can give you a copy.
You are responsible for finding your own substitute (at least one week prior to the show that you will miss) if you cannot make your show. Tell the Personnel Director of any changes. You may call the Personnel Director if you cannot find a replacement at least 24 hours before your show.
Station Security
The station is your responsibility while you are on the air.
If you report to the station for your show and you find the station broken into, call Mer-Po and then an Executive Staff member immediately.
Keep the doors locked. Mercer Radio is home to a lot of expensive equipment and music. We cannot afford to have equipment or music stolen; rather, you cannot afford to replace anything stolen while you are working the station.
If you do not recognize someone in the station, ask what their business in the station is, and ask them to leave immediately if they have none.
FCC and Mercer Radio Policy on Obscene or Indecent Material
(Although we are not a FM station, we will still abide by these rules.)
Obscene material does not enjoy constitutional protection and may not be broadcast at any time.
Material is to be considered obscene if:
The average person, applying contemporary community [Mercer University] standards, would find that the materials to the prurient interest;
The material describes or depicts sexual conduct in a patently offensive manner;
Taken as a whole, the material lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.
Indecent material describes sexual or excretory activities that are patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium at times of the day where there is a reasonable risk that children may be in the audience. No longer is this standard limited to the “seven dirty words” of George Carlin (S**T, piss, f**k, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker, and tits). It is now aimed at any material that is patently offensive when exposure to children is reasonable likely. However, as the standard implies, there are times when indecent material can be aired without violating the indecency policy. Currently, broadcasters must abide by the “safe harbor” of 10:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M. for the broadcast of indecent material. In other words, the broadcast of indecent material must be limited to that time period. AT NO TIME IS A DJ AUTHORIZED TO SPEAK
INDECENT LANGUAGE OVER THE AIR.
Mercer Radio may discipline as the General Manager and Personnel Director see fit any DJ found to be playing explicit music or profane language while on air. If a DJ will not be allowed to return to the radio station until they pay any fines.
The administration will also be allowed to discipline any DJ found in violation of this policy, even if Mercer Radio does not discipline the DJ itself.
Disciplinary Actions
The General Manager and Personnel Director will be in charge of handing down penalties associated with on air behavior and music selection.
Expulsion of a DJ requires a majority vote of the Executive Staff.
Fines are not to exceed $100. This money will be added to the general fund of Mercer Radio.
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