On Tenderhooks during My Public Radio Fundraiser

Three times a year my public radio station conducts its fundraiser. As the economy has weakened and millions of hard-working Americans have lost their jobs, their retirement plans and their health care, public radio faces a steeper and steeper climb to meet its fund-raising goals.

Initially the drives were $600,000. With government support of public radio being cut, it rose first to $800,000 and now to a cool $1 million. That means three times a year my favorite station must raise $1 million to maintain its operations. This at the same time that increasing numbers of its faithful listeners are less capable of maintaining, let alone increasing their support. At the same time, the importance of public radio and television has increased as a source of educational material and public information during an era in which budget cuts are dismantling quality public education and for-profit media has descended to the lowest common denominator.

As I write, the eighth day of WAMC's fund drive is waning. They have not yet reached the $800,000 mark. For many years the drives ended on the sixth or seventh day. This one promises to last a week and a half. This is a station that provides an independent voice in a sea of corporate-sponsored mainstream media that blatantly espouses a far-right agenda. This is a station that REFUSES to talk down to its listeners at the same time it gives them a voice.

My station does not have a university sponsor. It must get its revenue from underwriters, sponsors and its listeners. Will it make it one more time? Will it get the funds that enable it to stay on the air for four more months?

My lips to God's ear.

Note: if you are interested in pledging call 1-800-323-9262.

Supporting Another Public Radio Fund Drive

Why should I once again dig into my pockets for my local public radio station - WAMC - as it conducts its spring fund drive? The last one seems just a few short weeks ago.

Well, in the interim the Republican-controlled Congress attacked public support of public television and public radio as a wasteful use of tax monies. This at the same time funding for public education was cut to the bone and mainstream media further consolidated into a few wealthy, super powerful corporations that specialize in mind-numbing reality shows and pseudo-news coverage. My Democratic-controlled state government's budget cuts included cuts in funding for public tv and radio and public education.Public libraries also are being squeezed in the spending cuts.

The result is a rapidly shrinking supply of free educational material. Public television and public radio still provide excellent programming and quality news coverage. As long as they do, and I have the resources, I will continue to support them.

I have a special affection for my local public radio station. It gives me the opportunity to listen to and participate in listener discussions that ARE NOT shouting matches and that DO present differing viewpoints.

Time to step up to the plate.

Why I Love Local Public Radio

So... I listen to WAMC Northeast Public Radio A LOT. One of my favorite programs is Harry Shearer's (Spinal Tap and The Simpsons fame) Le Show, broadcast Sundays at 1 p.m. WAMC is conducting its most ambitious fund drive EVER. Proactively responding to a ground swell of national budget cutting of "discretionary" spending which loudly includes resistance to support of public radio and television stations, WAMC is determined to raise $1 million from its mid-market audience and maintain its viability and independence.

I try to "put my money where my mouth is" in supporting WAMC and made a specific donation during Harry Shearer's time slot. However, I was very unhappy about the manner in which this time slot was introduced by the radio station and emailed an (if I do say so myself) elegantly worded complaint.

In LESS THAN 24 HOURS, Alan Chartock, the President/CEO of WAMC (in the midst of what has to be one of the most stressful fund-raising campaigns he has ever waged) responded to my email, after unsuccessfully attempting to reach me by PHONE! Does he agree with my complaint? I don't think so. Does he consider my opinion important? A big, resounding YES!

Why is this public radio station so incredibly important to me personally? The call-in shows (Vox Pop) during which I have an "equal" opportunity to express my opinions and concerns about important issues of the day; the invaluable local and NPR programming that informs my mind and stimulates my brain; the riveting interviews with local, state and national personalities; the once-a-month poetry hour during which listeners call in and read or recite their favorite poems; the conviction that WAMC is "my" station.

If WAMC discontinues broadcasting Le Show, I will be crushed. I will NOT stop supporting this extremely valuable public resource.