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News :: Miscellaneous |
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Chicago Community Broadcasters Seek Protection from NPR |
Current rating: 0 |
by Wayne Heimbach
(No verified email address) |
03 Aug 2002
Modified: 02:37:13 PM |
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Loyola University radio station WLUW may be purchased by NPR affiliate WBEZ. Local independent programmers are asking for support in resisting the take-over. |
We need your help. An important independent voice of alternative media in Chicago, WLUW radio, is being threatened. Owned by Loyola University, WLUW started to broadcast programs of community interest and progressive politics about 10 years ago. From the beginning it was a struggle to keep these programs on air (including Labor Express, which I produce).
Now the programming at the station is being threatened. Loyola is in negotiations with WBEZ, Chicago's NPR station, to manage the station which is now being run by two progressive Loyola staff as well as students.
WLUW has done well over the past ten years. It boasts the biggest audience of any college station in the Chicago area - this in spite of its relatively low power. It's won awards for its innovative music and social justice programming. It provides programming in four or five languages including Spanish, Vietnamese, and Haitian. In addition to Labor Express, it broadcasts Voices of Guatemala, the nationally know program Making Contact, and numerous other alternative shows. It's a good station providing a real alternative.
WBEZ has no interest in keeping these programs on air. It's control of WLUW will eliminate the possibility of alternative voices being heard at a time when we most need them.
Current producers at WLUW had formed a group called "Friends of WLUW". At this point we are trying to incorporate and to offer ourselves as an alternative to WBEZ as manager of the station.
We need your help. Please write to Torey Malatia and ask him to withdrawal WBEZ's attempt to take over management of WLUW. You can also write to Loyola University asking them to negotiate with the "Friends of WLUW" and to keep their programming. I have attached sample letters to Loyola and WBEZ if you wish to use them.
Please also e-mail me either with a copy of your letter or just letting me know you wrote. This would help us greatly. Also write to me if you have any questions.
Thanks.
Wayne Heimbach
PS: WLUW can be heard at 88.7 FM, mainly on the north side of Chicago and in northern suburbs. You can listen to Labor Express every Sunday from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Rev. Michael J. Garanzini, S.J.
President, Loyola University
6525 N Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60626
DATE
Dear President Garanzini,
I am writing to express my feelings regarding Loyola's student radio station, WLUW. WLUW is a wonderful resource for students, community members and the general Chicago listening audience. WLUW holds the unique position of the most listened-to and most respected college radio station in Chicago, and performs a vital service to the local and national independent music community, local ethnic and immigrant groups, and its entire listening audience. WLUW is an invaluable resource. As you determine the future of the station, do not neglect the current programming procedures that make WLUW a success.
I first came into contact with WLUW through Labor Express, one of the station's many shows oriented to the community. I have admired the radio station for a long time because of its innovative programming and concern for Chicago's many communities. I believe that WLUW benefits the city of Chicago as a whole by providing a place where local and independent artists, music, culture and news can be heard. WLUW is truly one of the only places in the city where individuals create and find such innovation in both music and community programming.
Because of my experiences with WLUW, I hope that you will continue to fund and utilize WLUW to its fullest capabilities, and turn down any local management agreement with outside organizations. I urge you to continue to allow students, community members and the general public to continue to manage and enjoy the listener-voted #1 radio station in Chicago!
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
Torey Malatia
General Manger, WBEZ
848 E Grand
Chicago, IL 60611
DATE
Dear Mr. Malatia,
I am writing to express my feelings regarding Loyola's student radio station, WLUW. WLUW is a wonderful resource for students, community members and the general Chicago listening audience, as well as a great representation of Loyola University. WLUW holds the unique position of the most listened-to and most respected college radio station in Chicago, and performs a vital service to the local and national independent music community, local ethnic and immigrant groups, and its entire listening audience. Labor Express, one of the station's many programs oriented to the community, is Chicago's only program that regularly discusses the labor movement and news of concern to people interested in labor. Most importantly, WLUW is an invaluable resource for the students of Loyola University and for the local community.
Therefore, I strongly urge you not to pursue a local management agreement with Loyola University. Such an agreement threatens the authenticity of a truly representative community radio station. We should remain committed to maintaining free access to production studios and training for students and community members. The loss of production and on-air opportunities at the station would be a terrible loss to Loyola students, faculty, local music fans, and Chicago's ethnic communities.
Pursing a management agreement with WLUW will not afford additional opportunities for students at a radio station that is already controlled by students and community members in all aspects, from news to music, promotions to programming, fundraising and beyond. There can be no educational advantage to taking educators out of station management.
WLUW is a priceless resource to the students of Loyola University and the surrounding community. I strongly urge you to do the right thing and keep the control of WLUW where it belongs - in the hands of the educators, students and volunteers at Loyola University's WLUW.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME |
