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Enough of this moaning about mainstream media not reporting the truth and pushing political propaganda. It’s time we progressives put our money where our mouths are.
Not everyone has the funds to start their own radio program. I don’t. But I CAN pay for a subscription to the Mike Malloy Show because I believe in him, and because I want him to stay on the air. Right now, it’s listener subscriptions that ARE keeping him on the air, because the NOVA M Network, his former employer, went belly up last year. Malloy is broadcasting on his own nickel, so I’m willing to help him out with my meager contribution.
Progressive radio has grown over time, ever since the advent of Air America. Whatever your beefs are with Air America, it’s still worth considering that liberals and progressives had almost no national voice prior to AAR. Progressive voices like Mike Papantonio, Bobby Kennedy Jr., David Bender, Ron Reagan, Marc Maron, Rachel Maddow, Mike Malloy, Randi Rhodes, Al Franken, Thom Hartmann, and Jon Elliott all entered our homes thanks to the vision and drive of Sheldon Drobny, an accountant and successful business investor who decided that America needed to hear alternatives to Rush and Hannity and Savage.
I not only support progressive radio through buying subscriptions to shows I like, but I buy from local businesses that advertise on my local progressive affiliate, and I thank them for advertising on that station. The more our message gets out, the better our chances of keeping this country going on the right track.
I don’t want to forget the Jones Network which has brought us the hilarity of Stephanie Miller and the populace, good ol’ boyness of Ed Schultz.
Support progressive radio in your area. We got Obama elected. We can open up the airwaves in a grassroots campaign as well. All it takes is a few bucks, time, and vocal and written support.
3 Comments
great thought. i’d just add amy goodman and democracy now!
Absolutely, Selise! I completely missed Amy Goodman, and I’m sorry. She’s one of the bravest voices on the air. Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks Mad Cabbie! I’m a fanatic about “Progressive Radio” (or independent or alternative radio…whatever you want to call it). I’d point out that it is SOOOOO easy to get involved in the news or public affairs departments at most college stations and put together your own program. While the DJ slots are often very competitive (and restricted to students) volunteering in other Departments is usually not. And they are happy to get the help. ideas and energy. Often you can get your own show and broadcast programming to your hearts content provided you show a degree of fairness (unlike the right-wing programming and Clarence Thomas).
Admittedly some of these stations are restricted in power, outreach, and are never measured in the ratings (ARbitron) because they are “non-commercial”…but they often are reaching younger audiences, policy-makers, and those who are influential in shaping the culture. Ever wonder where all that alternative music and hip-hop was bubbling up from before they were picked up by MTV and VHS-1? Did you ever hear the Bob Marley, Clash, early U2, Elvis Costello, Bjork (or even Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel) or a host of other bands on commercial radio in the late 1970’s-early 1980’s? Nope, they were thriving on college radio…who were hosting concerts, tours, and sustaining a punk, goth, new wave, reggae, and regional Nuevo Cancion, blues, and jazz scenes. And because all these folks were working together in a “community” they fomented dialogue between these communities.
My own favorite station , and one I worked at for about ten years, was KDVS in Davis, California. It now, through the efforts of devoted staff, alumni, and fans has been able to expand it’s b’cast power from 10 watts in the late 1960’s to 175watts in the 1970’s, to 5000, and now 10,000 watts. They reach the whole Central Valley of California and most of the Sierras and also livestream their shows. About half the shows are as good as anything you’ll hear on Sirius, with a lot less repetition. They also host live music shows almost nightly through their promo department (which is as important as anything on-air, actually).
Throw in the fact that they broadcast Pacifica News and Amy Goodman…and have really good interview shows (including a wacky science program) featuring well-informed hosts and guests you might not even hear on NPR (because NPR would never actually interview a research virologist who knows something about the Swine Flu, would they). The station is also the hub of a national effort to have Low-Power Radio Start Ups in smaller communities.
To demonstrate just how important they are to the community and to offset the limited funds they get to operate the station they had their ANNUAL fundraiser last week. They set a goal of $60K. That helps buy Amy and Pacifica programs, and pay for equipment and other operational costs. DJ’s and most staff are unpaid. The stipended staff get about $300/month (ridiculous for how much work they do), paid by the Student Government. They almost reached that ($1700 short). There are some great premiums still available so if you want to throw a little geld their way to support them, or just sample what’s happening on “college radio” look at the site below. It might just surprise you!
KDVS