Dunedin 's independent student radio station, Radio One 91FM , has voluntarily scrapped its regular programming this week in protest against the threat of being taken off the air for good.

The station is owned by the Otago University Student's Association (OUSA) and has been broadcasting for the last 27 years, however OUSA are currently exploring the possibility of getting rid of the station following a structural review.

Independent consultants Deloitte were brought in to look at the OUSA finances in May, and amongst a number of cost-saving changes recommended that the station be sold off before November.

The OUSA review was commissioned in anticipation of ACT's Voluntary Student Membership legislation being passed by the Government in the near future.

Student unions are expecting reduced funding if the legislation – which will end the current system of compulsory membership and its associated fee payments – makes it into law.

OUSA President Logan Edgar said his association could lose 90% of its income.

But Radio One Station Manager Sean Norling said Radio One's not-for-profit license would have little commercial appeal if it was put up for sale.

The station stopped its regular shows from Saturday after hearing the review's recommendations last week.

Mr Norling said he hopes that the de-programming will raise some awareness about the plight of the station, which he describes as "a Dunedin cultural icon."

He said no other OUSA services are set to be entirely scrapped based on the review's findings, and that the station was subject to a prior independent review which recommended that it should be retained.

However he admitted that, "it's hard to impress the cultural merits [of the station] on a global consultancy firm."

In place of regular programming, Radio One is currently broadcasting a continuous ambient noise loop.

OUSA President Logan Edgar was quoted as saying he didn't think the protest was "particularly helpful."

Normal programming will resume on Saturday, July 9.