[Peace-discuss] news on our WILL commentary efforts

[Randall Cotton]

Three items of interest:

1. WILL actually put my audio commentary on their web site (in realaudio
format). It's right under "features" on WILL-AM's main web page at:

http://www.will.uiuc.edu/am/

It seems, so far at least, there are corners of WILL that are quite
receptive to our efforts.

2. After my commentary aired, though, WILL formed and enacted a new policy
for this type of audio commentary and it's bad news...

---- begin policy ----
AM 580's Policy on Listener Commentaries
(revised, enacted 4/14/04)

WILL Radio welcomes the response of a broad spectrum of listeners -
commentary adds to the depth of coverage and gives voice to the wide variety
of insightful opinions in our listening audience.

AM 580 News will occasionally propose broad topics for discussion and seek
opinion from our listeners in the form of short commentaries for air.  The
topics will be general ideas meant to allow a broad range of interpretation
yet encourage adherence to a theme.

We also will consider unsolicited commentaries, but WILL reserves the right
to refrain from airing any commentary.

All commentaries will be limited to 2:30 in length (roughly 300 words) and
must 1) be supported by fact, 2) refrain from ad-hominem attacks, and 3)
meet technical broadcast standards.

Topics must be of interest to AM 580's regional audience. Since the National
Public Radio programs we air contain plenty of commentaries on national
topics, AM 580's commentaries will be specifically geared to issues
involving our region. Essays on local issues work well if they illustrate
larger concerns with which other communities are struggling. Commentaries on
national topics will be considered if the local relevance is clearly stated.
Observations on everyday life are also considered, if they make a broader
point about who we are and how we live.

Please include your name, address, daytime telephone number, and e-mail
address.


At the end of each commentary, listeners will be strongly encouraged to
respond, provided they follow the same guidelines.
---- end policy ----

It seems likely that they may reject future AWARE submissions because the
issue addressed is too "national". But of course, we will test that anyway
and take issue if we are rejected.

3. Get a load of this =8-). Here is the totality of listener response called
into WILL after my commentary aired. I got a good laugh out of it =8-)

--- begin phone response ---
I was appalled to find that you had allowed ALL THINGS CONSIDERED to be
interrupted in order to have a editorial comment by A.W.A.R.E., a local
group that hides itself as if it was anti-war whereas actually it espouses
extreme left-wing positions.  For instance, it was justifying being against
the current American policy by saying that Sadaam Hussein's killings
occurred long in the past, whereas most Iraqis are quite jubilant of being
freed from Sadaam Hussein and finding out about their relatives who have
killed, tortured and so forth.  If you enter local politics, then you will
have endless debates.  This isn't the forum for ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.
(MALE)

(same caller) This is a continuation of my comments against A.W.A.R.E. air
time.  Giving A.W.A.R.E. air time means you have to begin giving all sorts
of other political groups air time, which will just cut into anything
worthwhile and instead become a constant conflict opportunity, whether pro
and anti-chief, pro-Bush/anti-Bush, pro-Kerry and so on and so forth.
Umm...if this is what you want the radio station to turn into...umm...I'm
sure you will lose lots of listeners.  Controversy feeds all sorts of
agitation and other things.  Thank you.  (MALE)
--- end phone response ---

R