[Imc] WILL & IMC

[Kimberlie Kranich]

Hi, all.

For those on this list who don't know, I work at WILL and volunteer at WEFT.

Today I had a hallway conversation with WILL AM580 program manager Jay Pearce about a relationship with the IMC.  The conversation was precipitated by WILL's broadcasting of speeches by Buchanan and Nader (we were asked by the candidates' spokesmen to air these speeches and we are legally obligated to do so by the 'reasonable access law').  I told Jay that the Nader speech was recorded by an IMC member. He had heard about the IMC but didn't know much about it so I gave him a brief sketch.  Jay would like WILL to be more pro-active in its coverage of third party candidates during the next major elections in two years.  He suggested a possible show about third party
candidates that might run weekly eight weeks prior to the elections.  But WILL doesn't have enough resources to do what we are currently doing and add another weekly program.  I suggested that folks at the IMC might be interested in talking about helping fill the void and that you are highly qualified to do so.  Jay's thoughts were very preliminary.  I made sure not to commit the IMC to anything since I know the Center was primarily designed to feed WEFT and a LPFM station Urbana.  But, after the elections are over, Jay would like to have some discussions with you about the possibility of some kind of partnership.  I told him I would give him your contact
information.  Let me know your thoughts and who those contact people should be.  I know Danielle is out of town and won't be able to comment for awhile.  There is no rush to act on this.  Just food for thought.

Kimberlie Kranich