[Peace-discuss] Re: [Imc] Re: [Prairiegreens] Flag flap

[Sascha Meinrath]

Hi all,

As someone currently on the WEFT Board of Directors, I thought I should
chime in.  The WEFT PC allows anyone with airshifting training to apply
for new shows on the station -- this is open to any member of the general
public.  WEFTs current schedule (and thus the balance between public
affairs and music) is also based on historical precedents about what to
play during certain segments of the day.  Because of the limited time
available, this balance reflects a compromise between different
constituencies.  And it is in forging this compromise that WEFT is a
_community_ radio station -- it might not be ideal to any one group, but
it does encompass a breadth of interests from across the community.

Personally, I'm extremely excited that the Socialist Forum and Independent
Media Center are going to be collaborating to build a new FM Radio station
-- it will provide an incredible outlet for new voices and shows in our
community.  I am looking forward to seeing more Public Affairs programming
available on the radio dial, but a call to take over WEFT so that it
doen't reflect the myriad subcultures in our community is a call for the
further homogenization of radio -- something I'm wholeheartedly against.

--Sascha


On Sat, 15 Nov 2003, Mike Lehman wrote:

> Just a bit of additional information...
>
> Over the course of the next year, a new Low Power FM station will be
> built in our community, in part with the technical advice and training
> assistance of WEFT, which has been supportive of this effort since it
> was initiated. The intent of those who will hold the license for this
> new station, Socialist Forum, has always been to provide a space for
> expanded public affairs programming in our community, but we also intend
> to air music and other entertainment programming. The station will be
> operated by SF in conjunction with the IMC. Thus, there will soon be
> another 168 hours a week to fill with all the news, talk, rants, etc
> that people can make.
>
> As Jason noted, the problem is having enough volunteers to fill this
> amount of airtime, even just with the current amount of airtime on WEFT.
> People currently interested in radio news can participate in the IMC
> Radio news group (imc-newsroom at ucimc.org), which Clint Popetz has been
> ably coordinating (the grant that funded Clint's position is ending, but
> the news will go on as long as people are interested in making it
> happen.) And the current news/public affairs shows on WEFT are always
> interested in new volunteers to aid those who have puts in years of
> their lives to making these programs. And soon we hope to have another
> station.
>
> So the problem really is less that there are no opportunities than it is
> people stepping up to take on these responsibilities.
>
> Those interested in building a new LPFM station should contact me via
> email so that I can keep you up to date on the situation.
> Mike Lehman
>
> Jason Pitzl-Waters wrote:
>
> >
> >> 5. Take OVER WEFT!!!!!!! WEFT needs a renewal. Its dominated by the
> >> alternative music with a handful of decent public affairs. Take over
> >> the PC, BOD, and make it real community radio. not just for different
> >> subcultures. KPFK is more about providing that grassroots coverage
> >> from bottom up. It is ordinary people not just leftist intellectuals
> >> doing the shows.
> >
> >
> > Considering that the majority of "alternative" music is herded into a
> > musical "ghetto" after 10pm I can hardly agree that WEFT is "dominated"
> > by it. I suppose a more accurate statement is that there is more music
> > than public affairs on WEFT, which in itself is true.
> >
> > I'm suppose I am somewhat offended by a call to make WEFT "real"
> > community radio which means that the current makeup of WEFT is somehow
> > "fake" community radio and doesn't represent the people living in and
> > around Champaign/Urbana. Perhaps in your world view it doesn't, but that
> > doesn't mean your vision is accurate for everyone in this community.
> >
> > Contrary to the opinions of some conspiracy theorists, WEFT has always
> > been open to more public affairs, especially locally produced shows, but
> > the people have to come forward, produce the shows and go through the
> > process of application for open slots like everyone else. That sounds
> > pretty open to me.
> >
> > Plus WEFT *has* been adding new public affairs shows, like "Digital
> > Citizen" on alternating Wednesdays from 8-10pm, or "FALA" which mixes
> > political hardcore and punk with news and commentary late Friday nights
> > (or early Saturday mornings) from 3-6am, or "C-U in Action" which
> > alternates with "Parenting Issues" every Saturday morning at 7:30am, or
> > my new show "Pagan Thoughts" which alternates with Lori Serb's and Mick
> > Woolf's public affair programs on Sunday mornings at 10am.
> >
> > Lastly, to any progressive who feel they must remove "alternative" music
> > from our only community radio station in favor of public affairs I can
> > only quote Ms. Goldman and say "If I can not dance, I want no part in
> > your revolution."
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Jason Pitzl-Waters
> >
> > host of...
> > TheSkysGoneOut
> > http://www.wildhunt.org/sky/
> > Sundays from 10pm-12am
> > and...
>
>
>
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