Funferal

Grassroots radio

I’m in Portland at GRC13 – the Grassroots Radio Conference. So far it’s been a great experience. We’re at lunch at the moment (2 hours, so plenty of time to meet people and chat, as well as enjoy the fantastic Middle Eastern food provided). The opportunity to meet with people from different stations, and exchange stories and information (from station policies to programming ideas) is wonderfully invigorating. Tomorrow I’ll be leading a workshop on podcasting, which should be fun, and which I hope will have the added benefit of providing some useful material for my current research.
This morning I took part in a session on social activism in community radio, where we pooled stories of how different stations have accomplished this, all while abiding by FCC and IRS regulations. This afternoon I plan to attend a session titled “Non-violence: Culture Change”, headed up by KBOO station manager Arthur Davis and Cherie Blackfeather, followed by one on AMARC.
It’s always interesting to pick up the ‘swag’ brought along by different stations. WORT (in Madison, WI) have interesting fans, useful in this hot weather, with the cute slogan “I’m a WORT fan” emblazoned over an image of an old-fashioned radio – easily the most inventive and striking item here. KBOO‘s August Listener’s Guide, in turn, shows what can be done with a single folded sheet of newsprint. Among the interesting items here is their decision to move Democracy Now! from 11am to 7am (part of a move to combat recent declines in listenership levels and revenues). The new 11am slot is still in flux, but one of the things they’re experimenting with through August will be “the work of well known activists and experts” including Bob McChesney – which I guess could mean another station picking up Media Matters, which many of you will know I currently produce.