by Stelle Slootmaker
Inspired by Democracy Now! anchor Amy Goodman's May 10 lecture at Plymouth Congregational church, community members presented petitions with more than 500 signatures to the May 20 board meeting of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center (CMC). The petitions ask that WYCE air Democracy Now! Many of those signing the petitions indicated that they would be willing to pledge dollars to WYCE should it begin airing the program.
Though these community members have now attended the past three board meetings, the CMC has yet to formally include the Democracy Now! discussion on its agenda. The petition asked for a decision by September 2008, in time for WYCE to benefit from the added dollars its broadcast would generate during WYCE's fall fund drive.
CMC executive director, Laurie Cirivello, and board president, Tim Goodwin, cite two main reasons for the delay: the CMC will seat a new board in September and the CMC is restructuring and developing a formal philosophy that may or may not support airing programming like Democracy Now! on WYCE.
At the May meeting, CMC board members expressed worry over the costs of the program. However, Silky Shaw, of Democracy Now! later assured them that not only would they provide the program free for one year, they would be glad to continue providing it at no cost if the station did not have budget for it.
Others argued that WYCE traditionally has offered a music-only, local format. However, the popularity of weekly news analysis program Catalyst Radio and the inclusion of nationally syndicated programs Acoustic Cafe and Earth & Sky seem to indicate that programs outside the local/music only format have done well for the station.
At the July meeting, comments made by the six community members present provided more rationale for airing Democracy Now! on WYCE. Edna Martin, representing Ada Congregational Church of Christ Peace and Justice committee, said, "This would be an incredibly good thing to have Democracy Now! aired in our area. We really, really need a progressive voice and a woman's voice. Plenty of people in Grand Rapids would be interested in listening."
Martin is right on. Of talk radio programs currently aired in the Grand Rapids area, nearly all are hosted by men and only one or two could be defined as progressive--though some listeners would argue that none fit the true meaning of the term.
Kelly Knutsen, who recently moved to Grand Rapids from California, stated that she misses hearing Democracy Now! The program is aired on several stations there. "I'd like to have the opportunity to listen to it here," she said.
In fact, Democracy Now! is aired on more than 700 stations all over the United States , mostly on community based radio stations. Why not Grand Rapids?
Another community member in attendance, John Koorndyk, said that while he understood the CMC board's concern over changing the station's philosophy Democracy Now! actually supports that philosophy as it provides a new way for WYCE to remain an alternative to corporate radio. "In order to ensure that this station succeeds, it needs to continue being a challenge to corporate radio," he said. "Airing Democracy Now! is one way to ensure that this philosophy continues."
Another concern brought up by the board was the reaction of its current volunteer programmers to having an hour a day of air time dedicated to syndicated programming. Though not at the meeting, WYCE programmer Mike Saunders says that he and many of the programmers he has talked to would love to see Democracy Now! as part of the WYCE line-up. When asked about this after the meeting, he commented, "I know for a fact of other programmers besides myself, who support Democracy Now! being broadcast on WYCE. Any opposition comes from a desire to keep WYCE 'all about the music,' not so much any type of political disagreements with Democracy Now!'s content."
Anyone interested is bringing Democracy Now! to WYCE is encouraged to attend the CMC's Annual Meeting, August 19 at 6 p.m. at the CMC, 711 Bridge St. NW. Also, send your comments to CMC Director Laurie Cirivello via mail or email so they are filed in the CMC public file.
Email: laurie@grcmc.org
Snail mail: Grand Rapids Community Media Center
711 Bridge St. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
As a volunteer listener member of WYCE's Radio Operations Committee (ROC), I am opposed to "talk shows" of any political stripe being aired on this precious and rare resource in our community. The WYCE format is unique nationwide as well for it's continual mix of music genres. Talk shows, on the other hand, are a dime a dozen. I rarely encounter other listeners passionate about increasing the type of programming "Catalyst Radio" currently offers. As a matter of fact, many would like to see that show moved to any number of places that informational talk shows could go in this digital age. With the advent of streaming website content, downloadable podcasts, and, soon, multiple digital signals for WYCE itself, there is no reason to ruin the good thing WYCE has become by adding numbing talkfests.
People I have discussed it with favor continuation of "the mix" of music. WYCE has become known for the diversity of performers offered and the possibility for the listener to be surprised from moment to moment with exciting, new music. Most are, indeed, supportive of programs like "Acoustic Cafe" and "Local Resonance" because those programs augment the joyous discovery of new sounds, new artists, and, yes, new ideas. While there is a vocal minority willing to subject all of WYCE's audience to "raw talk". That philosophy (hit the mass audience over the head with alternative news) is as bad as what it seeks to confront. Hearts and minds cannot be won with mass blather. I haven't tuned in to Rush Limbaugh lately to see if he has anything new to offer, have you? Could it be because he preaches to the converted? I think so. So does Amy Goodman. All of this shouting in the mirror divides community rather than building it by driving would-be listeners back to iPods and satellite radio devoid of any local connections.
Case in point: As I first wrote about this issue, a WYCE programmer had just closed her show with Jimmy Smith's version of "Chittlins Con Carne". Meanwhile, that day's "Democracy Now!" headlines made me real anxious to get home for dinner...
• Georgia Accuses Russia of Violating Ceasefire, Ethnic Cleansing
• Report: US Rejects Israeli Aid Request for Iran Attack
• Darwish Honored with Palestinian State Funeral
• 12 Killed, 40 Wounded in Lebanon Bombing
• 3 Aid Workers Slain in Afghanistan
• Morales Opponent Resigns After Recall Loss
• Lawyers: US Guards Threatened Gitmo Prisoner with Death
• Cancer-Stricken Chinese National Dies in US Immigration Jail
• Family of Taser Victim Sues La. City for Wrongful Death
• Study: Most Corporations Avoid Income Taxes
• Minneapolis Activists Challenge RNC Restrictions
When I get home at night, I could fill my head with endless hours of talk (even video), if I wanted to, from cable, computer, or even my news junkie friends. It's not that any of those mediums are bad, they are just hard to dance to. WYCE needs to remain the voice of hope and positive inspiration. It's the station that doesn't boycott artists for speaking out in their songs or onstage; the one that goes into everyone's kitchen and garage on any variety of old, plastic, receiving devices to uplift folks while they work; the one that introduces Midwesterners to the sounds and cultures from around the world.
As was noted, "Democracy Now!" is on 700 other radio stations. It's also on the Internet. People know where to find it. Does Amy Goodman know anything about Jake's Music Festival at the Wealthy Theatre benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation? Jake doesn't have 700 radio stations. He only has WYCE, where we are winning hearts and minds one song at a time, with three chords and the truth.
Brad Miller
I could not help but to notice how those who favored the airing are invited to attend, but those who have opposing viewpoints were not.
How "DEMOCRATIC" is that?
WYCE is all about the music, I would prefer it to remain that way.
If I hear too much "talk radio" political commentary, or general news programs, my radio dial will soon be turned, and my checkbook will be closed.
It is bad enough that I already tune out for a half day every Friday.
Please, keep WYCE a truley INDEPENDANT radio station, shows like this not only make WYCE sound the same as too many other stations, but take away airtime from artists who really ought to be heard!
@Brad Miller: It's great that you have an opinion, even if I disagree. However, I find your "it's all about the music" style argument to be rather ridiculous. Particularly this part:
"As was noted, "Democracy Now!" is on 700 other radio stations. It's also on the Internet. People know where to find it. Does Amy Goodman know anything about Jake's Music Festival at the Wealthy Theatre benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation? Jake doesn't have 700 radio stations. He only has WYCE, where we are winning hearts and minds one song at a time, with three chords and the truth."
How is Democracy Now! going to hinder Jake's access to WYCE? That argument is just ridiculous.
Also, there are 700 stations that air Democracy Now! That's great, I can turn it on and listen to it if... I'M NOT IN GRAND RAPIDS. No station here airs the show, WYCE would have yet another unique quality that would appeal to an audience that is hungry for independent programming. The petition signatures--many from WYCE listeners--also came with pledges, meaning that the station's independent radio would become more financially stable.
It's great that Democracy Now! is on the internet, but the reality is, not everybody has access to the internet. There are plenty of people who are hungry for other options on the radio--a clear alternative from corporate radio--but they have nowhere to turn to get independent news because they don't have access to the internet.
It would be wonderful if WYCE aired Democracy Now. As a supporter of the Community Media Center, I believe Democracy Now will increase listenership and revenue. And what could be better than a station with lots of alternative music and a little alternative news?