Radio is a trust medium, then why bullshit about Rajar?

Radio works because it is trusted, it is a conversation between the broadcaster and the listener.  The presenter builds trust, becomes a friend and thus builds their audience.  Then we lie to the listener about the other listeners - community radio excepted.

Once a 1/4 Ipsos RSL produce data on behalf of Rajar (a company owned by the BBC and commercial radio) into the listening habits of the population.  The day in this 1/4 was today.  To be frank, the level of spin that under performing radio stations put on their numbers is scandalous.  It would make a spin doctor blush!  I hear that one station close to us that once had over terrific listenership per week and only a few years ago had around 1/2 its peak is claiming massive success because it has only dropped to 1/3 of its former glory.  For its own purpose it has taken its base listening from over a year ago - which was even worse than it is now - to demonstrate a massive improvement, how its getting back to the good old days … it makes anyone who reads the truth laugh out loud. It’s a reminder of that old saying, “lies, damn lies and statistics”.

My problem with all this is that we are in the trust business, we focus on honesty and building trust and that shouldn’t stop at audience data.

Foot note - Tameside Radio isnt part of the Rajar club, we have been informed that as we aren’t a registered commercial radio station we cant join. We therefore pay for research conducted locally and independently of the radio station. It was cheaper and with a larger sample size - result!