RNI rules and regulations

It is not known to me if there was an official certificate for the deejays of RNI during the period 1970, describing the rules and regulations for broadcasting on the station. I know, however, that there were rules in 1968, when there were first plans were made for a station with the same name from aboard the MV Galaxy. This plan failed due to the fact the former Radio London ship was locked up in Hamburg harbour. But during the period February 1971 up till August 1974 each new deejay had to sign a contract in which was stated that one should adhere to the following rules:

• The play list and format will be adhered to at all times.
• No new records including albums may be played that are not on the play list unless with the permission of the programme controller or duty Senior Disc Jockey.
• Commercials must always be played at the time specified on the commercial running order. No commercials or plugs my be given outside the official commercial list.
• Competitions and surveys will originate from the Zürich or Dutch office only. Programme spots must be authorised by the duty Senior Disc Jockey.
• Disc Jockeys must be up at least 30 minutes before the start of the programme. Non-appearance at the specified time will result in suspension of the employee (first time) or termination of contract (second time).
• Each Disc Jockey must towards the end of his programme empty ashtrays, and ensure that the studio is left in a clean and tidy condition for the next Disc Jockey.
• Each Disc Jockey must ensure throughout his programme that records, tapes and jingles are replaced in the correct sections.
• No food may be taken into the studio at any time nor alcoholic beverages. Failure to comply with this instruction will result in action being taken against the offending Disc Jockey.
• The rostra made out by the duty Disc Jockey concerning studio cleaning must be adhered to at all times.
• Disc Jockeys will be held responsible by the company for damaging remarks concerning Radio Northsea International, individuals or rival Radio Stations. The contravening of this section will result in immediate termination of contract. Actions against the station for libel resulting from an infringement of this section will not be accepted or responsibility admitted by Radio Northsea International, and will be passed to the Disc Jockey, whether he be employed by the station or not.
• The Senior Disc Jockey will endeavour at all times to instruct or give such instruction that my be thought necessary to Junior Disc jockeys concerning programming.
• Preparation of programmes must take place and be finished at least 30 minutes before programme starts.
• Plugs or payola records or commercials which are transmitted by Disc Jockeys which are not on the commercial sheet is totally forbidden. This includes charity and any other appeals.
• Radio Northsea International is a European community station. This means all of Europe and not just the United Kingdom.
• Drugs (hard and soft including Hashish) will not under any circumstances what so ever be permitted on board the MEBO I and MEBO II. Failure to comply with this will result in an immediate termination of contract.
• No alcohol will be consumed by any member of the on air staff within 2 hours of the start of the programme.
• Promotion of records by company name must not be announced over the air. This includes such information that might be requested by the listener.
• Letters from listeners requiring answer must be attended to within a reasonable time (4 weeks). When replying do not include damaging or indecent remarks about the letter writer or any aspect of community life.
• Wilful damage to records and tapes, equipment or transmitters will result in immediate termination of contract. On air personnel are employed as such and therefore will not tamper with equipment under any circumstances.
• No member of the on air staff may at any time tamper with or adjust any part of the transmitting equipment or generator/engines and will not at any time remove equipment or tools from the transmission room, studio or generator room, without prior agreement with the radio and or generating engineers.
• No equipment or records or tapes or cassettes will be removed from the MEBO I or MEBO II without prior consent from the programme organiser. Infringement of this section will result in court proceedings by MEBO Ltd.