Arkansas NPR transmitter fire investigated as arson

Arkansas NPR transmitter fire investigated as arson

There's been a spate of threats and acts of vandalism against NPR and its affiliates recently. Although I might be understating the gravity of the actions. In the case of KUAR, the damage to the transmitter site may be in excess of $150,000. Because the transmitter site was so remote, nobody was hurt. The article from Fox4kc.com and Reuters also mentions a transmitter fire at KTXK and the threats against the NPR news hosts. My hope is this is all coincidence. The vandals also stole valuable copper wiring. The incident in Arkansas may be about a robbery.

We had an incident during the events of 9/11 that was not as serious as originally thought. We got a call from an angry listener who threatened to blow up the station I worked for in Connecticut. We called the police. They were able to find the individual. He was angry because we extended coverage of the events that day replacing classical music.

This incident may or may not be related to the anger incited by extreme rhetoric. The investigation is on-going. The angry rhetoric from political extremists should be taken seriously. That rhetoric causes some to act in ways that are harmful to our society. If the vandalism against the two radio stations in Arkansas are related to the extreme rhetoric, in the end, this is not about free speech. It is about suppressing free speech.

Public Supports Higher Funding for NPR, PBS

Public Supports Higher Funding for NPR, PBS

A recent CNN poll estimated that many Americans do not understand the extent of funding for public broadcasting. Some believe it is as high as 5% of the federal budget. That would make the amount set aside at $178 billion. The actual amount is closer to $500 million or .00014 percent of the federal budget. A majority of Americans believe public broadcasting should maintain its current level of funding or get more.

For more information about the CNN Poll you can go to the link above and to Politico.com. Both provide links to the CNN poll.

Demise of WMFE

A few things stand out here.

• The warnings about the business model for public TV being broken has been out there for quite some time. 
• The selling price of $5 million seems very low. 
• The comments. 
• http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2011/04/wmfe-sale-dallas-religious-broadcaster-is-the-buyer.html

I was involved in focus groups for public radio. One of the questions asked among those who were loyal listeners of public radio was, "would you miss it if it went away." For WMFE and public TV in Orlando, we're about to find out.

I'm interested in your thoughts.

Public Broadcasting and The Conservative Agenda

De-funding public broadcasting is not a new item on the conservative agenda. It's been a part of our politics since the 1970's.

Part of that agenda is about controlling the message.  Read the section of "Reagan In His Own Words" found at Google Books. These notes are from 1976. The Reagan administration's proposed rescission of funding for public broadcasting occurred in early 80's. At that time, President Reagan suggested that if public broadcasting were to produce programming favorable to his administration, he might spare its funding. He suggested public broadcasting be more like Voice of America. After the cut in funding failed in Congress, Reagan made sure appointees to the CPB Board reflected his views.

President Reagan was not the only conservative to take aim at public broadcasting. Read the article in Current from 1985. Most of the article is about the CPB board clash between Reagan appointees and appointees from earlier administrations. Further down you'll find information about how President Nixon wanted to control PBS and CPB.

"PBS and CPB had shared headlines a dozen years ago, when ideology once before intruded into the affairs of public broadcasting. Nixon aides, some of whom were planning and covering up Watergate during the same period, were plotting to gain control over both CPB and PBS and eliminate what they saw as liberal, anti-Nixon public affairs programming on public television."

  

Show Prep / Topical Connections

In the PPM world it has become more important than ever to use the basics of AQH maintenance. We share with so many more stations than was assumed in the old diary method. Besides, there's a lot of competition for our listeners.

The idea is to keep the listeners listening and to increase occasions. Not only does it help ratings, it helps develop listener loyalty. A loyal audience is more likely to voluntarily contribute.

I'm consciously looking for those promotable moments. I work at a music station in Boston that specializes in Americana and all the elements that feed into that format. I'm always on the lookout for things that might entice the listeners to stick around or tune back in. There are two items that stood out for today's airshift.

A couple of days ago The Atlantic published an article about Ray LaMontagne. LaMontagne's album, "God Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise was in our Top Ten Albums of 2010. His 2004 release, "Trouble" is featured in an ad for The Travelers." Plus, he now lives in Western Massachusetts. I'll be connecting to the article and fashioning a tease to increase TSL.

I'm also on the mailing list for the World Cafe produced by WXPN. The Wold Cafe will feature Amos Lee today. Amos Lee has a new CD Mission Bell. I'll offer the same treatment with a couple of teases to promote TSL and use vertical promotion for our broadcast of World Cafe which airs on WUMB weeknights at 10pm.

Nothing is forced in either case. I'm working with music already scheduled on our play-list. Both artists are well within our format. Both artists are a draw for our audience. My topical connections will be short and to the point, but still give enough information to draw the listener in. It would be impossible to for me to do this without some advance preparation.

Firing Someone? Take a Deep Breath First

Social Media gets the news around fast. The news being spread can often be distorted.  In the case of Shirley Sherrod and Juan Williams decisions were made hastily. Those with an agenda pounced quickly, fanning the flames to promote their own agenda.

An article by Linda Bond Edwards suggests a better way to handle this type of situation.

http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20101212/BUSINESS/12120328/Take-time-to-make-good-employment-decisions

Linda Bond Edwards is a partner in the Tallahassee office of Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell. Her practice is devoted to labor and employment law, mediation and arbitration.

WBUR’s new ad campaign is a rarity for public radio - The Boston Globe

WBUR’s new ad campaign is a rarity for public radio - The Boston Globe

The competition for public radio's news audience continues in Boston. WBUR has a new billboard campaign. WGBH has the ability to cross promote with it's other radio stations and it's public TV station. So, how is it going? "Last month, WBUR drew a weekly audience of 455,400 listeners to its daytime programming, while WGBH attracted 258,900 listeners."


Billboard campaigns for public radio in the past have had mixed results. Certainly, they increase awareness. In my experience, there has been little evidence of audience growth as a result of the campaigns I've been involved with.

Check out the article by Johhny Diaz in the Boston Globe from December 11, 2010.