Radio broadcasts have brought ball games, music – even dispatches from war – to the living rooms of the world. Radio Humber 96.9 FM is a small 21st century station with a CRTC license and it has a similar purpose to the broadcasters of the past.
“There’s a lot of heavy things going on and difficult times, and radio has always been a great go-to source, especially in times of trouble,” said Radio Humber station manager and Humber College Professor Dean Sinclair.
But the way stations bring stories and news to life is a total departure from traditional radio. 
Sinclair is sitting in his home in London, Ontario as he describes the station. He programs and runs the shows from almost 200 km away. It’s all made possible by digital technology and the internet.
Humber students and volunteers have continued with regular programming despite the challenge of working without a studio. Journalism and Radio students are still contributing.
When the College announced the closure of all campuses in March, the Lakeshore radio facilities, which were retooled just two years ago, were inaccessible.
Radio frequency 96.9 FM is broadcasting COVID-19 updates, newscasts, and public service announcements. Canadian music is also on heavy rotation, as always.
Harmony Multani, enrolled in the Humber College Journalism graduate certificate program, is one of many student journalists who keep the news coming. She works as the senior reporter for the Et Cetra newspaper.
“There is so much information coming at us daily and for the public it can be overwhelming to understand what concerns them directly,” she said.
“Journalists are always important, but especially right now as we are the link between very complex situations and public knowledge.” 
Come one, come all
Radio Humber has added live musical performances to its production schedule since the closure of campuses. The series features students from the Lakeshore campus’ music programs in the Faculty of Media and Creative Arts and will include video livestreams.
“The fact that Humber is putting out this effort and trying to connect and really supporting the creative industry means a lot,” said featured singer/songwriter Allysa Mady, featured April 7. She feels a sense of isolation from her community and audience.
“I can’t get out right now, I can’t play gigs that I had.”
Connection to the audience from the stage is an important part of her music, “even if you’ve just met them.”
You don’t have to be a seasoned musician to be broadcast on Radio Humber. You don’t even have to play a note.
“We’re inviting the Humber community to send us pictures, updates of how they’re doing,” said Sinclair. “No experience necessary. We’re just looking for ideas. You can simply record a message on your phone and text it into us. I can take that audio and put it on the radio.”In addition to the live concert series, the station plans to broadcast shout-outs to people who are still working or helping others during the COVID-19 pandemic every evening at 7:30 p.m.
Humber students produce the bulk of Radio Humber’s content but Sinclair says anyone in the wider community can submit ideas, sound and pictures.
“It’s still there, and it’s there to be used. It’s there to broadcast information and messages and some really great community music, too,” said Sinclair.